Direct Support Professional - Day Support, Specialized Services

About the role

Provides direct care and support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community skills development and rehabilitative skills training at a local activity center. Work is performed under immediate supervision and is guided by well-established and specific agency policies and procedures; ethical standards related to client interactions, state and federal licensure and accreditation regulations and guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Monitors participant behaviors, safety and health in accordance with service plans.
• Instructs and supervises individuals engaged in skill development.
• Assists and coaches individuals in community integration and social behaviors.
• Assists individuals with personal hygiene and other skills including bathing, bathroom skills, soiled clothing and undergarments, etc.
• Supports and coaches individual use of personal assistive devices and apparatus.
• Monitors use of materials, equipment and supplies utilized by individuals.
• Coordinates skill training needs with other habilitation staff.
• Prepares progress notes on individuals in compliance to requirements.
• Supports client participation in socialization and recreational activities.
• Implements and monitors community safety procedures.
• Completes all reports, time sheets, payroll records and work schedules.
• Cleans and organizes facility spaces and work stations.
• Performs a variety of supportive tasks related to the individuals' service plan, e.g., communication notebooks, laundry, washing lunch containers, etc.
• Collaborates with other staff and advises individual's families of individual's behaviors, progress, problems, medical condition, etc.
• Operates large van and lift equipment and transports individuals.
• Assists in lifting participants including use of transfer techniques and assistive apparatus.
• Administers medications.
• Coaches participants on budgeting and use of personal funding accounts.
• Monitors and assists participants during their volunteer services.
• Participates in training and team meetings.
• Prepares individual profiles, case notes, data collection and quarterly reports.

Requirements

• High School Diploma and some course work and/or training in the Behavioral Sciences, and some work experience in day support programs for intellectually disabled/developmentally disabled adults.
• Valid Virginia driver's license.
• Certification in First Aid/CPR.
• Training in Therapeutic Options (THEROPS) and Medication Management.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of day support programming and the common disabilities, principles and practices relating to the care and behavioral management of the intellectually-disabled and developmentally-delayed populations and associated age related issues.
• Considerable knowledge of assistive equipment and apparatus and lifting/transfer techniques.
• Some knowledge of social casework management and supportive level counseling.
• Some knowledge of crisis prevention and intervention skills applicable to the intellectually disabled.
• Some knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of prevocational and vocational training.
• Ability to establish rapport with intellectually-disabled individuals and their families.
• Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with other staff and the staff community organizations.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to function calmly in stressful situations.
• Ability to physically lift/move an average weight adult individual.
• Ability to observe, assess and record individual behaviors and functioning.
• Ability to operate a vehicle.
• Ability to effectively respond to crisis situations both behavioral and medical.