Direct Support Professional (CNA/DSP) - Yorkville, Illinois

About the role

The Association for Individual Development (AID) is seeking a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to join our team. AID empowers individuals with diverse challenges to live dignified and purposeful lives. The DSP will implement Individualized Strategies under the guidance of a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional, focusing on areas such as recreation, leisure, and daily living activities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a team approach with clients, staff, and external agencies.
• Implement specific programs from the Individual Plan or Implementation Strategy, and document services according to program procedures.
• Familiarize and adhere to all agency and program rules and regulations.
• Report concerns or issues to the immediate supervisor promptly.
• Plan and prepare meals based on menus and recipes provided by a dietician, ensuring compliance with client dietary requirements.
• Attend to the self-care needs of clients, including toileting, changing clothes, bathing, grooming, shaving, cleaning glasses, and managing adaptive equipment.
• Obtain and administer medication as authorized, and ensure safe medication practices.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment, both inside and out, including reporting and addressing safety concerns and participating in safety drills.
• Provide transportation for clients, including personal or agency vehicles, for work, shopping, appointments, and social events.
• Monitor and communicate client medical information during appointments.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and client meetings as assigned.
• Assist in the orientation and training of new staff members.
• Perform daily housekeeping tasks and assist clients in developing independent living skills.
• Physically assist clients in various situations, including transfers and mobility exercises.
• Implement behavior support strategies and respond to emergency behavioral issues.
• Work independently as needed, covering shifts, holidays, evenings, weekends, and overnight hours.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) or Autism Certificate preferred.
• Experience working with developmentally disabled adults preferred.
• Physical requirements: climb stairs daily, no medical restrictions preventing implementation of a lift/transfer or behavioral programs, perform daily housekeeping tasks, assist clients in independent living skills, physically assist clients in various situations, implement behavior support strategies, respond to emergency behavioral issues, requires significant walking and standing daily.
• Equipment: computer and software, household appliances, alarm systems, telephone, office equipment, adaptive equipment, agency vehicles, personal automobile, and personal cell phone.
• Additional requirements: valid Illinois driver's license, access to a personal cell phone with secure messaging capabilities, meet and maintain IDOT-approved driver status, and be at least 18 years old.

Benefits

Full-time employees receive 21 days of paid time off plus 10 paid holidays, full training, tuition reimbursement, benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, STD, LTD, critical illness, and accident insurance, and a 3.5% company contribution to a 401K plan after one year.