Direct Support Professional III

About the role

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Performs direct care and support services to individuals. Implements habilitation and rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, mealtime plans, and treatment programs with individuals specifically related to the individual’s goals and programs. Encourages individuals to attend assigned activities and programs. Stays meaningfully engaged with individuals, providing ongoing activities that serve each individual’s preferences. Documents individual participation/progression for effective communication with other staff.
• Utilizes active treatment to train skills such as activities of daily living, supports individual goal achievement, and person-centered activities. Implements positive behavior support plans (PBSPs), crisis intervention plans (CIPs) and skills acquisition plans (SAPs) to teach new skills such as feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, and other skills which promote independence. Enters electronic information on the person’s life, such as things that occur throughout their daily schedule, how they respond to activities in the home, training, and unusual incidents.
• Participates and supports the individual in the development of their person-centered treatment plans. Uses a person-centered approach to working with individuals. Provides feedback to the IDT on the individual’s progress toward acquiring new skills and achieving their goals. Documents issues with individuals/residents for effective communication with and follow up by other administrative and supervisory staff.
• Attends to healthcare needs of individuals under supervision of medical personnel. Observes individuals for signs and symptoms of disease, injury, reactions to medications, or other conditions which warrant medical intervention and properly documents observations. Administers first aid to individuals, as appropriate. Reports significant changes in individuals’ physical conditions or behavior to designated personnel. Administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in emergency interventions.
• Provides assistance in the transporting of individuals going on scheduled activities and in emergency situations, as needed. Ensures they have the proper information about the trip and the needs of the individual(s) on the trip. Accompanies staff and individuals going on scheduled activities and in emergency situations, as needed.
• Maintains compliance with HHSC standards for Competency, Training, and Development.
• Maintains the environment of the home by ensuring it is free of safety hazards and maintaining a safe and sanitary living environment for individuals. Ensures individuals are free from physical and emotional harm. Models ongoing and respectful interaction with individuals. Follows proper procedures to report alleged or suspected Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation. Follows reporting procedures for unusual incidents such as fires, abuse/neglect of individuals, injuries, falls, seizures, restraints, peer-to-peer episodes and unauthorized departures. Follows designated protective/corrective measures following unusual incidents.
• Evacuates individuals in the event of a fire, natural disaster, emergency situation, or drill. Completes required documentation after the event.
• Provides behavior intervention to ensure that residents are protected from harm or injury. Prevents or manages aggressive behavior among individuals and administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in emergency interventions.
• Provides guidance to new DSPs and routinely assists them in performing work of greater complexity. Models proper care in areas such as grooming, bathing, feeding, lifting and positioning, feeding techniques, assisting with medication administration, observing and reporting individual’s conditions and behaviors, and engaging in meaningful interactions with individuals. May volunteer to serve as a shift/team lead when the DSP IV Lead/Charge is not on duty.

Qualifications

• High School diploma, GED, or 6 months of work experience.
• Experience as a DSP.
• Experience implementing behavior programs for persons with intellectual developmental disabilities.
• Experience writing reports.

Skills

• Knowledge of individual care techniques and of treatment, therapy, and developmental programs or to learn these through training.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner. Ability to make decisions and use good judgment when dealing with critical incidents.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency situation.
• Ability to demonstrate proper body mechanics, good posture, and proper lifting techniques.
• Ability to provide individual care, to administer first aid and/or CPR, to perform Ukeru (once trained), and to conduct Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).
• Ability to train/mentor/coach others.
• Ability to work effectively with others and as a member of a team.
• Ability to master basic techniques of individual care and training.
• Ability to be flexible in handling work assignments.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

Pay

$3,649.83 - $4,594.50 per month

Schedule

Day Shift, Evening Shift, Night Shift