DSP - Pennsylvania

Department: Operations | Location: Various | Reports To: Care Team Manager | FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

About the Company

Beacon is a successful and national private-equity behavioral health company providing residential-based services and supports to children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Severe Mental Illness, Autism, and high-acuity behaviors. All activities related to this position must be delivered in compliance with the company’s policies and procedures, accreditation standards, state and federal licensing requirements, HCBS guidelines, and the contractual requirements of Community Mental Health Agencies and other regulatory bodies. You are expected to be aligned with the goals and mission of the organization, and to perform in accordance with our “I CARE” core values – Integrity, Compassion, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence.

About the Role

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) helps individuals achieve their personal goals, increase independence, and participate fully in their communities while ensuring their health, safety, and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Always be compliant with all company and regulatory policies and procedures.
• Set positive examples for Individuals at all times.
• Adhere to the person-centered plans and behavior plans as written for each Individual.
• Provide opportunities throughout the day to help Individuals meet their goals (e.g., teaching groups to follow activity programs and encouraging Individual attendance).
• Provide quality of care and a safe and healthy setting free from harm while upholding the rights of all Individuals.
• Create a space of trust and relationship with all Individuals.
• Protect all Individuals from abuse and/or neglect and immediately report any occurrence to appropriate entities.
• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of all Individuals.
• Follow and uphold all house guidelines.
• Cook meals as necessary for Individuals based upon food specifications, diets, food exchanges and documentation.
• Understand process for food supply and storage.
• Transport Individuals and attend appointments with Individuals; advocate and obtain necessary documentation when needed.
• Utilize Individual funds as applicable to help Individuals budget when needed.
• Complete required documentation before the end of shift, including but not limited to progress notes, miscellaneous notes, daily support logs, event reports, incident reports, LOA forms, Individual inventories, etc.
• Assist with supervision of Individuals doing their laundry as needed per assignment sheet.
• Coach and assist Individuals with bedroom cleanliness per house guidelines.
• Maintain cleanliness of home site according to the assignment chart (inspection ready at all times).
• Remain awake and immediately accessible in all homes requiring 24/7 care.
• Administer medications as needed.
• Hand off communication to next shift staff.
• Cooperate with Beacon Specialized Living, the Department of Human Services (DHS) staff or any other regulatory body during any inspection, investigation or inquiry.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
• Adhere to BSLS Core Values, Mission Statement, and Corporate Philosophies.

Team Member Expectations

• Must be compliant with company and regulatory policies and procedures.
• Preserve and protect the privacy, confidentiality and security of all medical records, proprietary and other confidential information relating to Beacon Specialized Living, its Individuals served, Team Members, activities and affiliates, in accordance with all applicable laws (especially HIPAA) and contract terms.
• Promote Beacon in a positive manner and lead by example, modeling our core values in everyday behavior.
• Monitor and correct employee gossip, harassment, favoritism, and other negative social workplace behaviors to ensure a positive and productive work environment.
• Understand how to approach and communicate with everyone at all levels.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect while responding to their needs.
• Maintain and sustain a safe community environment and workplace.
• Follow Beacon’s policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Accept other duties as assigned.

Professional Conduct & Performance Expectations

In addition to evaluating work performance, you will be evaluated for the following work behaviors:

• Job Knowledge: Depth and breadth of knowledge supporting our organization goals.
• Quality of Work: Freedom from errors and mistakes, timeliness, accuracy, quality of work in general.
• Quantity of Work: Work output of the employee.
• Reliability: The extent to which the employee can be depended upon to be available for work, do it properly, and complete it on time. The degree to which the employee is reliable, trustworthy, and persistent.
• Initiative and Creativity: The ability to plan work and to go ahead with a task without being told every detail and the ability to make constructive suggestions.
• Judgment: The extent to which the employee makes decisions which are sound. Ability to base decisions on fact rather than emotion.
• Cooperation: Willingness to work harmoniously with others in getting a job done. Readiness to respond positively to instructions and procedures.
• Compliance: Always be compliant with all company and regulatory policies and procedures.
• Attendance: Faithfulness in coming to work daily and conforming to scheduled work hours.
• Planning and Organizing: The ability to analyze work, set goals, develop plans of action, utilize time, and delegate work as appropriate. Consider the amount of supervision required and the extent to which you can trust employees to carry out assignments conscientiously.
• Directing and Controlling: The ability to create a motivating climate, achieve teamwork, train, and develop, measure work in progress, take corrective action.
• Decision Making: The ability to make decisions and the quality and timeliness of those decisions.
• Problem Solving: The ability to assess a problem, identify options or solutions, formulate a plan, execute the plan, and achieve and sustain positive outcomes.
• Embrace, support, and manage the business in accordance with Beacon’s Mission and Core Values.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred (required in certain states).
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must pass criminal background checks, central registry check (in applicable states) and child abuse registry (in applicable states).
• Must complete and pass a drug test, in applicable states.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and have reliable transportation.
• Proficient in speaking, reading and writing the English language.
• Approved by state, federal and government entities to work within BSLS programs.
• Ability to use office equipment, including BSLS information technology systems.
• Ability to physically and emotionally work with individuals who possess mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Skills & Abilities

• Must be able to communicate and function in an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong computer skills utilizing various software programs and applications.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to create professional employee