Direct Support Professional - PRN (Hartford Co.)

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides hands-on assistance in the home including, but not limited to, individualized supports in transferring, bathing and grooming, and following specific dining protocols and treatments.
• Affords assistance with and teaches skills in laundry, meal preparation, and other household chores.
• Utilizes the Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) approach for prevention, intervention, teaching, and attending to behaviors.
• Affords support for doctors’ appointments, emergency room, and hospital visits, and contacts on-call nursing appropriately while following HIPPA and always maintaining confidentiality and reports critical issues (including medical, maintenance, staffing, etc.) immediately to the supervisor.
• Maintains knowledge of Nursing Plans of Care (NPOC), feeding protocols, and safety practices and procedures including universal precautions.
• Completes all required trainings within 3 months of hire.
• Administers medications according to policies and procedures of Medication Technician Training Program/Certified Medication Technician (MTTP/CMT) curriculum, and applicable regulations.
• Attends Person-centered Planning (PCP) meetings as required.
• Utilizes the Agency Case Management Software to accurately document all relevant logs (i.e.: incident reporting, diary entries, goal/outcomes, etc.) including but not limited to; Communication/Diary Logs, Incident Reporting, Goals and Outcomes, and Fire Drill Logs, as outlined in policies and procedures.
• Affords assistance to all persons in being actively involved in their daily activities to achieve greater independence using person-centered planning and self-determination.
• Maintains the home and Agency vehicles through seasonal maintenance, routine cleaning, and the immediate reporting of issues or concerns.
• Attends and participates in all required events, workshops, trainings, and meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Valid health certificate to meet current funding jurisdiction requirements.
• Ability to move and adjust a minimum of 75 pounds, stand for periods of time, bend, push wheelchairs, provide physical intervention as necessary, and be able to lift and/or transfer people.
• Hearing and vision abilities within normal range (corrected) to drive safely and to observe and communicate with people supported.

Skills/Competencies

• Ability to drive multiple Agency vehicles following traffic rules and safety precautions.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients and co-workers.
• Comfortable in an environment in which patients/clients cannot perform basic life duties.
• Understanding of basic concepts of personal care, housekeeping, and other care areas.
• Ability to relate to, empathize with, and show compassion for a variety of personalities.
• Writes clearly and effectively for reports, diaries, and other written communication.
• Requires the ability to utilize, or to learn to utilize, computer systems and software necessary to perform position functions.
• Basic PC, web browsing and Microsoft Outlook skills preferred.