Direct Support Professional- Monday–Friday 7:00am–9:00am/ Saturday–Sunday 7:00am–5:00pm (Personal Support)

About the role

Join Chimes, a not-for-profit organization that assists people with intellectual and behavioral challenges to achieve their fullest potential. Our vast array of services—educational, employment, vocational, residential, habilitative, and behavioral health—are delivered through a network of national and international affiliates, allowing a comprehensive, holistic approach to improving lives.

Responsibilities

• Work in the residence of a person served as a personal support, actively engaging with them to ensure all programs and activities are carried out for their benefit, both at home and in the community.
• Provide supervision and training to adults with developmental disabilities, promoting growth toward their highest potential as outlined in individual plans and goals.
• Personalize and individualize the home environment to reflect each person’s preferences and personality.
• Teach and instruct individuals to maximize their independence, following program plans, and avoid conducting personal business during work hours (e.g., no personal cell phone use, reading, or TV watching).
• Communicate with day program staff regarding individual programs, as requested.
• Report concerns about the needs of persons served or house operations to the Community Support Manager promptly.
• Utilize approved behavior plans and intervention strategies to support goal achievement.
• Act as a positive role model for persons served and agency staff.
• Assist individuals in developing independent living skills, such as mobility, budgeting, personal hygiene, cleaning, bathing, toileting, nail care, and oral hygiene.
• Know the whereabouts of persons served at all times during work hours.
• Attend routine meetings with the BSS Program Manager or designee.
• Be knowledgeable of routine and emergency medical procedures, including CPR, vital signs, positioning, wheelchair usage, transfers, assistive devices, splints, dentures, and walkers.
• Administer medications (oral, topical, nebulizers, bowel regimens) accurately and timely, following the Physician Medical Order Form (PMOF) and Medication Administration Record (MAR), ensuring three-way checks.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of the home, both inside and out, with the assistance of persons served where appropriate.
• Assist persons served in the care and maintenance of their personal belongings, ensuring security and control.
• Complete records and reports, including monthly reports, incident reports, seizure records, program activity logs, and fire drill reports.
• Clean the home with the person served, complete laundry, and prepare food according to approved menus, special diets, and food consistencies.
• Collect data on the progress of persons served according to agency policy.
• Transport persons served to appointments, activities, and community outings.
• Assume financial responsibility for agency and persons served funds, documenting transactions per agency policy.
• Communicate medical concerns to the Registered Nurse and supervisor within the appropriate time frame.
• Conduct safety checks of all rooms at specified times to ensure the well-being of persons served.
• Use approved crisis intervention techniques in emergencies to prevent injury to persons served or others.
• Know the location of important house records, including fire drills, water temperatures, medical records, menus, and other files.
• Attend religious services with the person served, if requested.
• Contribute to a positive, enthusiastic, responsible, and courteous work and home atmosphere.
• Work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Treat persons served with kindness, dignity, and respect at all times.
• Use technology to complete specified job duties.
• Attend work regularly according to the assigned schedule and in accordance with agency policy.
• Participate in in-service training, staff meetings, and other activities to facilitate professional development.
• Collaborate with families, staff, supervisors, administrators, co-workers, community professionals, customers, neighbors, vendors, and the public.
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures.
• Assume other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as needed.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Attend team meetings as required.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with agency volunteers to maximize their experience while meeting the needs of persons served and programs.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent preferred (specific requirements may vary by state).
• Commitment to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record as determined by the agency’s insurance carrier and policy.
• Ability to lift, pull, and push adequate weight to assist individuals supported (may exceed 50 pounds).

At the discretion of the Personnel Officer, additional related experience and/or education may be substituted for the requirements listed above.

Benefits

For Full-Time Employees (>30 hours/week):

• Competitive pay: $19.75 hourly.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement options.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health, Dependent, and Transportation).
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Paid time off.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Employee recognition programs.
• Employee referral bonus opportunities.
• Discounts through “Tickets at Work.”
• Additional benefits available.

Schedule

• Flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.