Direct Support Professional

Department: Residential · Reports to: Team Leader · Hourly rate: $21.55–$22.25

About the role

The Independent Living Coach (ILC) supports adults with intellectual disabilities and/or mental illness who receive services from Trinity Services, Inc. The ILC provides guidance, encouragement, and assistance in individuals’ homes and community settings, helping them develop new skills, achieve personal goals, and build greater independence and self-confidence. Responsibilities include assisting with personal care, household tasks, health monitoring, and other healthcare needs. ILCs also coach and encourage individuals as they participate in daily activities, develop life skills, and engage with their communities. This position is ideal for someone who is compassionate, patient, dependable, and committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others. No prior experience in the field is required. Trinity Services provides training and ongoing support to help employees succeed in this rewarding role. As an ILC, you will play an important role in helping individuals live fulfilling, meaningful, and increasingly independent lives.

Responsibilities

Engagement

• Build meaningful, supportive relationships with individuals receiving services
• Foster an environment that promotes learning, respect, dignity, and personal growth
• Support individuals in achieving the priority outcomes identified in their person-centered plans
• Offer choices that promote independence, individuality, and self-determination
• Help individuals plan and participate in meaningful, enjoyable activities
• Remain actively engaged with individuals receiving services throughout assigned shifts
• Respect and advocate for individuals’ needs, preferences, rights, health, safety, and overall well-being
• Arrive on time and work scheduled shifts to provide consistent, reliable support

Services and Supports

• Support daily routines by providing direct care, guidance, and coaching as needed
• Assist with meal planning and preparation, including accommodating dietary requirements, teaching cooking and meal-planning skills, shopping within a budget, and following established menus
• Maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment by assisting with household cleaning, laundry, disinfecting, and cleaning adaptive equipment as needed
• Drive agency vehicles and accompany individuals to appointments, activities, shopping, work, family and friends’ visits, Community Day Services (CDS) programs, and other destinations identified by the individual or support team
• Follow written instructions and requirements outlined in Implementation Strategies, Behavior Support Plans, physician orders, and other applicable documentation
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors and leadership staff

Communication

• Collaborate with members of the support team to establish realistic, achievable goals
• Promptly report medical or behavioral changes to the nurse, Team Leader, or Program Coordinator
• Communicate clearly and thoroughly with members of the support team, including family members, friends, guardians, physicians, and other external stakeholders
• Report facility or environmental safety concerns to the Team Leader or Program Coordinator in a timely manner
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders across the agency while maintaining a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth

Documentation

• Accurately document activities, services, and supports provided to individuals receiving services
• Administer and document medications in accordance with required training, authorization, and applicable procedures

Training

Trinity Services provides paid training to employees in all positions. Required training includes Preservice, CPR/First Aid (CPR/FA), Safety Care, Prevention of Abuse and Neglect, Sexual Harassment, and training on the Behavior Support Plans and Implementation Strategies specific to the individuals receiving services. Additional training may be required or offered depending on the position, work location, or other circumstances.

Physical demands

Employees must be able to perform the physical requirements of the position, which may include:

• Lifting more than 40 pounds from floor to waist without assistance
• Pushing and pulling up to 75 pounds
• Performing deep knee squats
• Pushing wheelchairs weighing up to 200 pounds
• Standing or sitting for extended periods
• Operating motor vehicles
• Standing, sitting, talking, hearing, and using hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, telephones, and other equipment
• Performing physical activities such as driving, balancing, pulling, pushing, standing, climbing, grasping, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motions

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED from a recognized institution
• Valid driver’s license and a motor vehicle record that meets agency requirements for traffic violations
• Successful completion of the STOFLA reading literacy assessment before the first day of employment
• Ability to complete required training and maintain active CPR, First Aid, and Safety Care certifications, as well as Medication Administration Authorization

Benefits

Trinity Services offers a variety of benefits, which may include:

• Health, vision, dental, and life insurance
• Educational assistance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Paid holidays
• Sick time
• Personal time
• Potential year-end bonus
• Sign-on bonus
• Financial Assistance Program (Cookie Jar)
• Employee Referral Program (Bounty Bucks)

Benefits vary for part-time employees.