Direct Support Professional

Key Responsibilities

Deliver support per individual service/program plans, including socialization, health maintenance, medication administration, skill/behavioral development.

Affix to daily activities: Personal care, housekeeping, recreational activities, transportation, community integration, shopping, citizenship, and other activities of daily living.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Services and Supports: Direct Support: Provides direct support or assistance in accordance with individual service or program plans; assists with socialization and behavioral development, personal care, housekeeping, recreational activities, transportation, community orientation, shopping, financial management, citizenship, and other activities of daily living.
• Records: Accurately documents progress and activity; reviews records and logs to stay abreast of changes in service plans; maintains confidentiality.
• Management of Individuals’ Assets: Makes cost-effective and appropriate purchases within the budget of the individual served and according to their choice / preference.
• Relationships: Maintains healthy and professional relationships with individuals, friends, families, guardians and case managers; greets family members and other visitors; implements Sevita Customer Service Standards.
• Reporting: Reports any instance of alleged abuse or neglect according to internal and external standards; reports medical, behavioral and other incidents in accordance with Sevita policy and external requirements.
• Rights: Maintains confidentiality, respects the rights of persons being served, according to applicable the bill of rights; practices universal precautions; assists individuals in exercising their rights.
• Health Care: Appointments: As needed, may accompany individuals to medical appointments; relays orders and information to and from medical providers as required.
• Medications: If assigned, accurately administers or supports self-administration of medication and documents delivery of medications and treatments; promptly reports administration errors; maintains appropriate security of controlled medications and other medications and supplies.
• General Health Care: Monitors individual’s health; documents health concerns; communicates with nurse or supervisor as appropriate; calls 911 in the event of emergency; follows individual health care directives.
• Medical Supplies and Equipment: Correctly follows procedures in utilizing medical equipment; reports malfunction or disrepair.
• Meal Preparation: Prepares or supports individuals to prepare food in accordance with planned menus and individual choice; knows special diets and prepares individual meals accordingly; monitors mealtime and correctly implements any dining plans.

Employment Responsibilities

• Training: Attends orientation and on-going training as directed; participates in monthly staff meetings.
• Employee Scheduling: Works scheduled hours; arrives for work on time; stays on shift until replacement arrives; notifies supervisor in advance when unable to work as scheduled or as soon as possible after the designated start time; may fill in for other shifts where required without causing unapproved overtime, or in the event of emergency.
• Teamwork: Works together with others, values others contributions; is courteous; communicates openly; listens; and shows respect to others.
• Workplace Safety: Every employee plays a role in developing and maintaining a safe workplace; complies with all established safety policies, procedures, and rules; reports unsafe hazards to their supervisor and participates in safety related training or activities.
• Maintenance: Vehicles: May transport individuals into the community; drives safely and according to local laws; ensures proper use of safety equipment including seat belts, lifts and wheelchair ties; reports accidents to appropriate authorities immediately; reports accidents and safety concerns immediately to supervisor or maintenance personnel.
• Housekeeping: Performs daily and seasonal housekeeping as directed; maintains neat, clean and safe environment; reports hazards or safety concerns.
• Maintenance and Repair: Monitors environmental safety and may make minor repairs, change light bulbs, etc.; may perform yard maintenance including keeping walkways safe and snow removal; reports equipment or facilities requiring repairs to supervisor or maintenance personnel as required.
• Safety: Checks water temperature as required when assisting with bathing; participates in safety drills and protects persons being served in the event of emergency.