Direct Support Specialist (DSP)

Bridge to Adulthood, LLC. DSP Job Description
POSITION TITLE: Direct Support Professional- Full-time / Part-time
DEPARTMENT: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services
GRADE LEVEL: Depends on Experience
STATUS: Non-Exempt
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS: The purpose of this job is to give individuals with developmental disabilities the tools and support to live as independently as possible while ensuring high-quality services are provided.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1. Provide person-centered support to all individuals served, recognizing the individual's need for teaching and preferred style for learning and at a level at which he or she can perform.
2. Provide direct personal assistance in instances when an individual requires "hands-on" support.
3. Provide medication administration to individuals. Demonstrate strict observance and adherence to agency medical policies and procedures including certification and annual recertification of medication administration.
4. Assist individuals in supporting his/her own health and wellness needs.
5. Schedule and accompany individuals to all necessary medical appointments and document all pertinent information as required.
6. Assist individuals in meal preparation, menu planning, and food shopping.
7. Engage in effective communication with individuals.
8. Provide immediate response to and report all incidents, first aid treatments, medical emergencies, or other crisis according to policy and procedures.
9. Assist individuals with fiscal management while safeguarding their funds. This may include completing ledgers, reconciling accounts, and supporting individuals with spending choices (keeping and attaching all receipts).
10. Assist individuals with maintaining a clean, safe, and orderly home by following safety and infection control procedures; including cleaning.
11. Appropriately communicate all pertinent information during the work shift and from shift to shift to other team members and/or assigned house managers.
12. Promote the emotional, physical, and personal well-being of individuals served.
13. Ensure proper safekeeping of individual's valuables.
14. Report and/or document routine and unusual events including completing daily logs, accident reports, etc. in a concise, understandable, legible, and timely manner.
15. Correctly follow procedures for mandated reporting and responding.
16. Maintain and expand skills and knowledge relevant to providing high-quality support and services.
17. Obtain and maintain all required trainings and apply the information to support people served.
18. Ensure that people exercise their rights and that rights are not restricted without due process.
19. Ensure people are treated with dignity and respect.
20. Provide transportation to individuals and business-related travel whether in personal or agency vehicles, following all safety procedures.
21. Maintain flexibility in work schedule based on needs of individuals assigned including working overtime and/or covering additional shifts on an emergency basis.
22. Perform other duties as assigned.
TITLE OF DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Program Manager
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
Experience: Two Years year practical experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred, CPRlFirst Aid.
Additional Requirements:
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Agency Mission, Code of Conduct, and SCL regulations policies while empowering each person to direct their own life choices.
• Demonstrate full adherence to the Direct Support Professional Core Competencies.
• Interest in assisting individuals supported to achieve personal outcomes and to provide person-centered supports.
• Possess good verbal, reading, and written communication in English; basic math skills; possession of basic computer skills preferred.
• Able and willing to successfully complete and apply training.
• Possess communication skills that will effectively establish a collaborative relationship with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Able to effectively teach, model and give support to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Able to work a combination of day, evening, overnight, and weekend hours, as needed.
• Able to remain alert and awake on all shifts.
• Able to work cooperatively both independently and as a member of DSP team.
• Able to multi-task and prioritize duties.
• Able to travel in all weather conditions throughout the counties served.
• Willingness to foster agency, department, and program-wide cooperation and teamwork through use of positive/constructive communication techniques.
• Able to maintain absolute confidentiality in regards to all records reviewed including individual records, employee records, and billing records.
• Clear background checks as defined by regulations and policies.
• Possess a valid TN or KY Driver's license and a driver's record considered acceptable by agency and insurance carrier.
• Continuous use of a reliable, registered, and insured vehicle.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.