Direct Support Professional DSD

Seven Counties Services•Louisville, KY

77d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves teaching, modeling, and coaching daily living skills, planning and facilitating community-based activities, and contributing to a safe and therapeutic environment. The Direct Support Professional acts as an ambassador for the organization, integrating clients into the community and educating the public about disabilities and the organization's services. Responsibilities include collaborating with community systems, providing transportation, offering personal care as needed, administering First Aid and CPR, supervising self-administered medication, identifying and avoiding food/medication allergies, communicating client information to staff and authorized providers, and assisting with discharge planning. The role also involves providing leadership and training to other direct support staff, attending meetings and trainings, and documenting services provided in accordance with standards. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Six to twelve months full-time experience (if holding a Bachelor's degree).
Six to eight years full-time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of a mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disability, or physical health condition (if not holding a Bachelor's degree).
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
Teaching skills.
Ability to provide nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities.
Patience and empathy.
Maturity and judgment.
18 years of age or older.
Valid driver’s license.
Proof of automobile liability insurance.
Positive driving record.

Responsibilities

Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) such as personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, and nutrition needs; monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.
Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery, including medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, and stress management strategies.
Plans and facilitates community-based activities, including medical appointments, grocery shopping, and leisure/recreation/socialization.
Facilitates access to community resources such as AA/NA meetings, school, and job placement.
Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques.
Serves as an ambassador for the organization and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about the organization's services and programming.
Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served, such as school, landlord, family, transportation provider, and employer.
Provides transportation, ensuring adherence to standard safety practices.
Teaches and facilitates the use of public transportation systems.
Provides personal care as needed, including personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, and safe eating techniques.
Administers First Aid and CPR as needed.
Supervises self-administered medication, depending on the specific clinical program’s protocols.
Identifies assigned clients’ food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.
Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services with other staff members and, as authorized, with non-organization providers, to ensure appropriate level and quality of care.
May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program, such as food programs or admissions at the Crisis Stabilization Unit.
Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms, including attendance records, daily logs, shift/progress notes, incident reports, and time reports in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards.
Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with organizational procedures and state and federal law.
Assists with discharge planning as needed.
Provides leadership to other direct support staff on the assigned shift.
Assists with training for other direct support staff as needed.
Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.