Direct Support Professional

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POSITION INFORMATION

$17 per hour
Shift- Full Time (37 hours)
Sunday 8:00am-8:00pm & Monday-Friday 2:00pm-7:00pm

Location: Ladson (Temple 2)
No experience necessary - Paid Training provided
Overtime Available
Occasional bonuses offered

SUPERVISED BY: Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional or Residential Coordinator

POSITION TYPE: Non-Exempt

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

1. Behavior should be professional at all times and consistent with the Agency’s, mission and policies and procedures, including treating individuals/consumers with dignity and respect


2. Exhibit appropriate work behavior with consumers, co-workers, families, consultants and other professionals in all settings.


3. Will remain on duty until relief staff arrive.


4. Assist consumers in maintaining safe and healthy lifestyles


5. Monitor and report changes in consumers’ general health, appearance, behaviors and patterns of activities to include eating, sleeping and toileting activities.


6. Provide training and assistance to all consumers in making healthy dietary choices and following any pre-established orders by medical professionals


7. Maintain individual safety and well-being, conduct safety drills/training, evacuations, etc. 


8. Use adaptive supplies/equipment as prescribed


9. Provide the prescribed level of supervision and accountability throughout the individual’s daily routine (including dining, bathing, awake and sleeping hours)


10. Assist, as needed using approved prompting techniques, with individual’s bathing, toileting, grooming and other daily living and self-care activities.  


11. Follow proper lifting techniques to ensure proper care of individuals who are non-ambulatory 


12. Record and discuss individuals’ health status with nursing staff 


13. Provide well maintained living environment, promptly report all maintenance needs to supervisor and complete necessary housekeeping duties to include sweeping, mopping, laundry, dusting, taking out garbage, cleaning bathrooms and kitchen, etc.


14. Prepare meals and snacks according to menu and approved diets of individuals


15. Plan, support and perform skills training activities to individuals in all daily living life skill areas to include: chores, fitness activities, money management, recreation, etc. 


16. Provide naturally occurring opportunities for individuals to learn


17. Keep individuals actively involved according to individuals’ active treatment plan


18. Document data during formal training sections as specified in the individual’s objectives


19. Reinforce informal training throughout daily routine of the individual 


20. Inform supervisor of all individual injuries at time of occurrence and complete General Event Report (GER) in Therap.  


21. Record understandable notes in various Therap modules and paper reports as required (includes T-Logs, SComms, ISP data, GER, supervision logs, staff duty sheets, etc.) as specified in the individual’s plan.


22. Implement Behavior Support Programs, as written, to include documentation of all behavioral incidents. May require physical intervention and the use of MANDT techniques


23. Safely transport consumers to and from leisure/recreational activities, errands, work, and personal appointments and comply with the Agency’s vehicle safety, maintenance and cell phone use policies. Operate wheelchair lifts and safety restraints as trained.  


24. Provide medications and treatments as ordered following Agency procedures, complete MAR, follow procedure to dispose expired medications and inform nurse of shortage of medications, med. errors and need to give over-the-counter medications when working in facilities not staffed by a nurse assigned specifically for consumer medication assistance. 


25. Assist consumers with their finances according to Agency procedures to include paying bills, reconcile cash on hand with receipts and withdrawals/deposits, maintain checkbooks, be an authorized co-signer on consumer accounts, coordinate reviews with Finance Dept., etc. 


26. Maintain thorough understanding of agency policies and procedures and conduct self accordingly to include: job attendance, job performance, safety protocol, etc. 


27. Attend staff meetings and complete on-going training requirements within required timeframes and meeting required competency levels.  


28. Maintain confidentiality of consumer information and personal passcodes


29. Use electronic equipment and Agency software (including messaging) in a professional and ethical manner and for business purposes only. 


30. Other duties as assigned. 

Lead DSP Duties:

1. Monitor Medication Administration Records (MAR) performed by staff to ensure it is completed timely and accurately in a CTH setting.  Reports issues/errors/concerns to supervisor and records as a General Event Report (GER) in Therap.


2. Complete household Purchase Orders, grocery shopping, and work orders as required for consumer and residence needs and function dictates for operation. 


3. Complete daily census reports in DDSN software portal in an ICF setting.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The Direct Support Professional may be required to perform lifting of objects weighing less than 50 pounds. The Direct Support Professional may be responsible for lifting adult individuals with assistance to provide aide with hygiene activities. Must be capable of effective verbal and written communication with individuals served, families, co-workers and visitors. Must be capable of moving intermittently throughout the day and performing such activities as climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pushing, pulling, repetitive motions, standing, bending, walking, sitting and stooping.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:  

Direct Support Professional is involved on a regular basis with personnel, visitors, contracting businesses and people with disabilities receiving services. The Direct Support Professional may be required to work in other locations and program areas as needed; is subject to exposure to communicable diseases and physical assault. The Direct Support Professional is subject to a variety of work settings such as indoors, outdoors, varying temperature extremes, varying levels of noise, and may be required to wear a variety of safety/protective equipment such as eye protection, gloves, personal hearing protection and respiratory protection. The Direct Support Professional must be able to safely operate agency owned vehicles including driving during night hours.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to write the English language in a legible manner, ability to relate harmoniously with co-workers and families, ability to follow directions, ability to work independently, ability to complete quality work in a timely manner, ability to exercise independent judgment.

Education: High School Diploma or GED, minimum years of age is 18.  

Experience: One-year experience working with people with developmental or related disabilities preferred.

Certificate/License: None required.

Other: Must possess a valid South Carolina Driver’s License and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Category: This position is designated as Essential. In an emergency, Essential personnel may be required to report for duty to maintain the health, safety and security of individuals receiving supports, or to provide essential Agency functions, despite official governmental declarations.