Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Location: Odessa

Supervises: N

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Division: IDD

Salary: $13.50 per hour. Sign on bonus may be available.

Shift: Day, evening and night shifts available; may require a flexible work schedule; Assigned work hours may change as the needs of the agency and clients change

Driving required: Y

Travel required: Y

Settings: field

POSITION SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

Direct Support Professionals (DSP) help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live their best lives by promoting self-determination. These positions assist with monitoring, daily living activities (such as bathing, eating and toileting), behavior supports, personal care, and ensuring the physical and emotional needs of the individuals are met. DSPs provide residential, Individualized Skills and Socialization (ISS), day activity, crisis and community supports in compliance with Contract standards. This position provides transportation for individuals to a variety of locations and may be required to work rotating schedules and flexible hours.

This position works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required: High School Diploma or GED.

Experience Required: At least 1 year experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or related conditions or social and home living experience preferred.

Registration, Certification, Licensure or other Qualifications Required:

• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to PermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal history and background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Nurse Aid certification preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support individuals served by providing meal preparation, medication monitoring, and assistance with daily household chores.
• Provide personal hygiene assistance, including but not limited to bathing, hygiene education, mobility and toileting assistance.
• Keep the assigned worksite clean and well-maintained, as needed.
• Ensure frequent communication and interaction with individuals to ensure a positive environment.
• Model appropriate behaviors for individuals served.
• Assist with monitoring, daily living activities (such as bathing, eating and toileting), behavior supports, personal care, and ensuring the physical and emotional needs of the individuals are met.
• Provide residential, Individualized Skills and Socialization, day activity, crisis and community supports in compliance with Contract standards.
• Provide transportation to outings.
• Encourage individuals' participation in all daily activities, including cooking, cleaning, and social events.
• Documentation will be legible, accurate and completed in accordance with PermiaCare policies.
• Individuals are physically assisted as needed.
• Provide medication monitoring assistance in compliance with PermiaCare policies.
• Provide respite services as needed.
• Assist with loading and unloading into and from vans.
• Assist with vocational skills as needed.
• Ensure individual rights are respected and protected.
• Provide companionship and conversation to individuals in care.
• Enter accurate and appropriate documentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, and established procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable physical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptness are required for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistency and completeness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors, co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectful behavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor.
• Open and process mail/email in a timely manner.
• Answer phone, collect phone messages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions and interactions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism when representing PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legal requirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and current driver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation at all times. Driving may be required for this position.
• Complete all training as assigned prior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposes of ADA; they are still required duties):

• Fill in for other DSPs as needed.
• Participate in emergency drills as needed.
• Provide translation, if applicable.
• Participate in team meeting or staffings.
• Participate in community activities and/or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups and committees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of turning and lifting techniques.
• Ability to carry out instructions and follow safety procedures.
• Ability to work with individuals with IDD and related conditions.
• Ability to understand specialized health conditions.
• Ability to operate office and small landscape and janitorial equipment.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability to protect confidentiality.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Knowledge of trauma informed theories, principles and practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability to different work environments.
• Basic computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with various inter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB and CPR/First Aid requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort in interacting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminal justice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize new skills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons at all levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism by appropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and/or company vehicle. This position may require travel to agency program sites, community and residential sites, and/or locations outside the PermiaCare catchment area. This position may require transport of agency individuals and/or individuals served.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Abilities Required:

• Heavy Lifting, over 45 lbs
• Moderate Carrying, 15-44 lbs
• Straight Pulling
• Reaching above shoulder
• Simple grasping
• Walking
• Standing
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Kneeling
• Pushing
• Climbing ladders
• Operating mechanical equipment
• Operating office equipment
• Operating motor vehicle
• Ability to see
• Hearing (with aid)
• Ability to write
• Ability to count
• Ability to read
• Ability to tell time
• Other (specify): driving required. May require some travel after hours and overnight.
• WORKSITE CONDITIONS:
• Travel
• Inside
• Outside
• Working around moving objects or vehicles
• Working around machines with moving parts
• Working closely with others
• Working alone

ADA Statement: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EEO Statement: PermiaCare is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties, activities or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, activities and responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. This job description does not constitute an employment contract with PermiaCare. Employment is at-will.

Would you like to work for an agency that makes a difference in the lives of people in your community every day? Join our team of dedicated and passionate staff and use your talents and skills to help others. Work one on one and as part of a team with kids or adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities, HIV or substance abuse diagnoses, assist from behind the scenes in any one of our administrative departments, or provide necessary support for the direct care staff. Be an asset to your community while getting paid for it!

PermiaCare is a public agency that provides a comprehensive array of services to persons experiencing mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. We deliver high quality services to eight counties in Texas, serving the community as effectively and efficiently as we can. PermiaCare provides four main services: Mental Health (MH) Services, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Services, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services, and Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services.

PermiaCare knows that quality healthcare is important to maintaining a healthy life and providing proper care for your family. Health insurance through BCBS is provided free of charge to each full-time employee at PermiaCare, with the ability to purchase coverage for your family. Dental, vision, Colonial and AFLAC offerings are also available through payroll deductions for any PermiaCare employee for themselves and their family. Retirement, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Paid Time Off, Long Term Disability and Workers Compensation benefits are also covered by the agency. PermiaCare provides training and development through New Employee Orientation and ongoing training requirements. Educational assistance is also provided for qualified employees.

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