DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL-HOURLY

About the role

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a member of the clinical team that provides compassionate care and assistance to individuals who struggle with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health challenges and require assistance to achieve their fullest potential. The DSP provides the assistance necessary to allow the clients we serve to live independently and ensure their wellness, health, and safety. The DSP, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, provides a wide range of services to meet the environmental, physical, psychosocial, and personal needs of the individuals in our care. The DSP embraces the mission of the organization by fostering a culture of compassion, hope, service, and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Assists with daily living activities, including but not limited to assisting with personal hygiene/bathroom assistance, assisting with meals at day program, and cleaning.
• Supports the independence of individuals served by providing the assistance necessary to maximize their quality of life.
• Models hope and optimism when encouraging individuals served to achieve their potential.
• Guides participants in achieving artistic, social, and independence goals to reach their potential as professional artists.
• Supports persons served in developing relationships and becoming involved in their communities.
• Cultivates a safe and supportive relationship and environment.
• Cultivates an inspiring and inclusive environment for artistic expression.
• Provides supervision and guidance to individuals served to build skills and competence.
• Documents interactions and activities per policies and procedures.
• Maintains client confidentiality and adheres to the organization’s ethical code.
• Assists in maintaining the well-being and safety of individuals served both at the day program and in the community.
• Assists with day program licensing annually and home community activities as prescribed in operating regulations.
• Accurately completes required paperwork to include but not limited to medication logs, daily logs, goal logs, incident reports, BM charts, fire drill logs, seizure logs, behavior plan documentation, gas receipts, vehicle logs, consumer funds.
• Accurately completes Electronic Health Record documentation for each assigned consumer/client before the end of each shift.
• Accurately completes hours worked through HRIS system to clock in/out.
• Completes required training hours on an annual basis according to the Training year.
• Completes Competency Based Training as needed.
• Attends all scheduled day program and office staff meetings.
• Assists with on call activities and emergency situations as requested by the Program Manager.
• Responsible for the safety and well-being of all the individuals in attendance at the day program.
• Works with Lead DSP and Program Management/Program Director to ensure that all the needs of the individuals are met according to their ISP.
• Follows all supervision requirements of consumers as noted in consumer ISP/BSP.
• Assists the Program Management/Program Director or Studio Coordinator with special projects related to the Agency.
• Other duties/tasks as assigned or requested by supervisor or Lead DSP or Studio Coordinator.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent certificate (required) Associate or bachelor's degree (preferred)
• Minimum 6 months to one (1) year direct experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or human services field
• 3-year clean motor vehicle record and valid driver’s license
• Background in visual and/or performing arts (preferred)

Job Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong visual and/or performance art and design skills.
• Computer literacy, experience with Microsoft Office, email, time-recording and other applications.
• Knowledge of trauma, trauma-informed care, and the creation of trauma-informed environments.
• Knowledge of and ability to work with developmentally disabled individuals.
• Excellent documentation and financial/mathematical skills.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Excellent judgment, problem solving, organizational, and time management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities, families, co-workers, staff, supervisors, funding sources, and other social service agency personnel;
• Physical ability to fulfill job duties and requirements.
• The ability to supervise and/or assist individuals served by the day program
• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Physical ability to fulfill job duties and requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities, families, co-workers, staff, supervisors, funding sources, and other social service agency personnel.
• Excellent judgment, problem solving, organizational and time management skills.
• Schedule flexibility.
• Stress Tolerance: Recognize crisis situations and react to such in a calm, mature manner; accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations; and the ability to identify, react to, and report security concerns.
• Completion of all required training including but not limited to CPR and First-Aid.
• The ability to facilitate a variety of group activities included but not limited to: art activities such as drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking; social skills, self-esteem, moderate exercise, and community outings.