Direct Support Professional - Community Day Services (CDS)

About the role

The Association for Individual Development (AID) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with various challenges to live dignified and purposeful lives. We seek a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for our Community Day Services who shares our commitment to making a difference.

Responsibilities

• Provide enhanced support and supervision as defined in the client's Implementation Strategies or Individual Plan and Behavior Support Strategies.
• Engage, teach, and involve clients in daily, meaningful activities in various settings, including the community.
• Participate in all program activities alongside clients, including volunteering, outdoor activities, swimming (where applicable), and community outings.
• Compute daily attendance counts and accurately document to enter into the payroll system (where applicable).
• Maintain a safe environment for self and clients, and react appropriately to emergency situations.
• Support clients with personal care tasks and implement training programs for independence.
• Facilitate programming or activities as directed, including client swim programs, outdoors, and outside of base location.
• Complete and submit all required documentation in a timely manner, including data sheets, incident reports, and attendance sheets.
• Understand and implement Behavior Support Strategies as assigned, and respond to emergency behavioral incidents.
• Participate as an active member of the interdisciplinary team, providing insights, feedback, and recommendations.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with others.

Qualifications

• High School graduate/GED transcript required.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience working with people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities preferred.
• Experience working with people requiring specialized behavioral and/or medical supports preferred.
• Significant walking and standing daily, with occasional running for short periods of time.
• Able to push, pull, reach, stoop, and bend.
• Able to lift or move up to 50 lbs, with no physical or medical restrictions.
• Able to assist individuals with their physical needs and personal care, including a two-person lift or transfer, with no physical or medical restrictions.
• Able to intervene physically using applied CPI techniques and/or restraints after training, with no physical or medical restrictions.
• Minimum age requirement is 18 years old.
• Valid, unexpired, Illinois driver’s license and good driving record as defined by AID’s driver eligibility requirements.
• Minimum liability insurance as defined by AID’s personnel policy.
• Utilize computer-based software like Microsoft Office suite and/or apps like PayCom or Relias, etc., as required.
• Complete DHS-approved Direct Support Person (DSP) training within 120 days of hire OR have already completed DSP training and appears on the Health Care Worker Registry.
• Complete and maintain assigned trainings and certifications as required by program location.
• Ability to complete job requirements with minimal supervision.
• Ability to provide crisis intervention when needed, and work as part of a team to support individuals with complex needs.
• Attend in-service trainings or staff meetings as required.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate proficient computer skills.
• Good interpersonal skills, and maintain professional interaction with co-workers and supervisory staff.

Benefits

• Full Time employees.
• Benefits Summary: Benefits_Summary.pdf
• $1,000 sign on bonus for full-time employees.
• 21 Days of Paid Time Off plus 10 Paid Holidays.
• Paid training.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, Critical Illness and accident insurance.
• 401K with a 3.5% company contribution after one year.