DSP Instructor/Senior Companion

Principle Responsibilities & Position Purpose

Instructors for the Adult Development Center (ADC) provide a caring environment that enhances the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through community integration, enrichment programs and a wide variety of social activities. Senior Companions, while working at our ‘Round About Senior Services program (RASS), provide our senior citizens (ages 50 and up) with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a caring environment with age-appropriate activities, and daily socialization that helps them enjoy their well–deserved retirement.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for ensuring all job duties are performed in-line with and in support of the mission of Anthesis.
• Responsible for placing emphasis on the development of independence, utilizing Person Centered Thinking.
• Responsible for placing emphasis on the maintenance of physical, social and intellectual skills.
• Provides means of daily transportation of participants in personal vehicle to various locations throughout the community. Responsible for training clients on the use of public transportation, including types of transportation available, schedules, fees, etc.
• Responsible for supervision of participants at all times, including individual and small group supervision while out in the community and when involved in on-site activities.
• Assists participants as necessary in activities of daily living which may include dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility. Mobility aids may include, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, sit to stand equipment, etc.
• Prepares and reviews daily/weekly activity plans with the participants, allowing them to choose activities that are not only educational and community oriented, but fun and social as well.
• Completes daily destination sheets before leaving for a community outing and checks out daily materials, i.e., backpacks, first aid kit, emergency paperwork and money, participant funds as needed, and progress notes.
• Covers activities and transportation needs for participants under the guidance of the Program Specialist(s).
• Obtains and/or prepares age appropriate instructional materials for our participants under the guidance of the Program Specialist(s).
• Aids Program Manager/Specialist(s) in developing and implementing ISPs for each participant by way of documenting on the ‘One Page Profile’ indicating what’s ‘important to and important for’ the individual.
• Responsible for intervention in behavior management problems in compliance with ISPs.
• Deals effectively with participants’ grievances or complaints in conjunction with Program Specialist and Program Manager.
• Maintains all program areas in a safe, clean manner.
• Assists in the compilation of data for the program evaluation system.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skill and Ability

• Ability to carry at least 3 clients in personal vehicle.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with persons with disabilities, elderly persons, families, representatives of residential facilities, and referring agency staff.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; ability to write simple correspondence; ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, program participants, and employees of the organization; demonstrated ability to keep clear, accurate records; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to speak and communicate effectively with program participants, staff members, care providers, family members, community members, etc.; a second language is desired but not necessary.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Ability to work with, effectively, internal and external customers, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact, diplomacy to defuse anger, collect accurate information and resolve conflicts.

Education/Experience

• Minimum 18 years of age; high school diploma or general education degree (GED) required; Associate of Arts Degree in a related field desired; prefer 1 year experience delivering supported employment services or direct care services either in class room, place of employment, residential, medical or day care setting; will consider sufficient experience with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities to carry out duties required in above description.
• Must have basic knowledge of and experience in, use of internet and email. Proficient in MS Office 2010 or later, particularly in Word, Excel, and Publisher.

Licenses or Certificates

• Personal vehicle required with current and valid California driver license with at least 3 years current driving experience and good driving record that is acceptable to the organization’s insurance carrier. Must meet eligibility criteria for the State of California Community Care Licensing.
• CPR/FA certification and/or ability to pass certification.
• Must be able to provide proof of personal vehicle insurance coverage and vehicle registration.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to walk, sit, talk and hear;
• Occasionally lift and/or move and/or push/pull program participants up to 25 pounds;
• Frequently required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands/arms;
• Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl;
• Talk or hear;
• Taste or smell.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.