Direct Support Professional

About the role

A Direct Support Professional works with clients in a residential treatment setting and is responsible for ensuring that those portions of the treatment plan, which deal with day-to-day and independent living skills, are implemented. Acting as a positive role model and providing therapeutic services, the Direct Support Professional is charged with the fundamental responsibility of the client's health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for day by day care of the clients in the program including supervision of personal hygiene, social guidance, use of leisure time, and food planning and preparation.
• Develop, supervise and run activity sessions.
• Accompany clients on trips and outings and supervise activities.
• May be called upon to work one on one with a client who is displaying significant stress or assist with management issues as they relate to clients.
• Accompany the client to medical, social or other necessary appointments.
• Shares their experience and observation of the client under care with the treatment team and immediately brings to the attention of the supervisor any unusual issues.
• May be required to cook/prepare meals for residents within their division.
• Other assigned duties as assigned.
• Participates in weekly team meetings.
• Participates in regular staff meetings and trainings.
• May be asked to travel to offsite meetings and trainings.
• Completes regular and timely documentation of all resident interactions, including progress and informational notes in the respective electronic records.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team.
• Complete incident reports as appropriate following an incident.

Requirements

High School diploma or Equivalency is required. Driver’s License preferred but not required in all programs.

Qualifications

• Willingness to work with residents living with the impact of trauma and experience mental health challenges.
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals.
• Patience and understanding for the sometimes slow process of stabilization and recovery.
• Excellent youth engagement skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail.

Skills

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Word; aptitude for learning new systems and application software.
• Able to read paper and electronic documents and perform significant data entry into various computer programs.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to travel independently using public transportation.
• Travel in the community with residents utilizing agency vehicle if cleared to do so; engage in physical activities with the residents.