Direct Support Professional (DSP), After School Caregiver PT

Hand In Hand•Bettendorf, IA

About The Position

JOB SUMMARY: The part time Direct Service Professional is responsible for supporting a nurturing, loving, safe, and educational space for school age children of all abilities. Hand in Hand's unique and inclusive program provides a welcome place for all children to spend time out of school with friends and engaged care givers. In addition to responsibility for direct care of the children at Hand in Hand, the DSP supports the lead to execute weekly lesson plans, adapts activities to meet the individual needs and interests of children, and supports a positive and cohesive classroom management using Conscious Discipline and Safety Care. This individual ensures regular family communication and program quality to develop the full child – cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically.

Requirements

The individual must be at least 16 years of age.
Certified in infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and Iowa’s mandatory reporting of abuse (Hand in Hand will coordinate courses for certification if not yet obtained)
Ability to read and interpret documents and policies as set by the Iowa Department of Human Services, CARF, and other governing bodies. Ability to communicate effectively with participants, their caregivers, and other employees of the organization.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds during the routine care of children and adults.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Individual must maintain a valid driver’s license, insurance and possess reliable transportation.
Ability to effectively and efficiently make use of technology such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Nice To Haves

Working toward or completion of a GED or High school diploma.
Experience working with children and adults with disabilities in a direct care setting preferred.
Knowledge of the State of Iowa Childcare licensing rules and regulations.
Experience using behavior modification techniques.

Responsibilities

Ensure the safety and well-being of all children at all times
Support execution weekly lesson plans
Ensure constant visual and auditory supervision of all participants.
Ensure sanitary procedures are followed by all children and adults. This includes hand washing procedures, bloodborne pathogen training and practices, diapering procedures, and soiled clothing practices.
Immediately report all suspected cases of child and dependent adult abuse according to state Mandatory Reporting requirements.
Execute a program schedule with flexible, consistent routines and planned transitions.
Always demonstrate respect for participants, communicating with empathy and compassion at their level and near the individual.
Meet all personal care needs of assigned children/adults of all abilities which can include diapering, catheterization, g-tube feeding.
Ensure constant compliance with state and agency stated staff to participant ratios.
Maintain a neat, organized, engaging, and program space.
Develop a welcoming and friendly atmosphere to promote feelings of security, safety and belonging.
Support the lead teacher in ensuring environmental rating assessment completion for best quality.
Ensure compliance with HIPAA and privacy requirements
Monitor supplies and regularly communicate needs to Program Director.
Complete daily housekeeping tasks including laundry, dishwashing, floor mopping, sweeping and the general cleaning of surfaces.
Support the lead teacher in completing Teaching Strategies assessment processes, implement instructional and/or environmental adaptations to support the success for each child with diverse needs, identified disabilities, dual language learners, identified behavioral health needs and/or specialized health needs.
Foster creativity, inquiry and encourages participants to lead the development and learning process.
Incorporate a wide variety of experiences, materials, equipment, and instructional strategies.
Celebrate each participant’s unique culture and abilities while fostering empathetic interactions with diverse individuals.
Develop professional relationships with participants, parents, volunteers and other members of the community.
Facilitate regular and positive communication with parents/guardians utilizing formal and informal communication methods approved by the agency.
Serve as an advocate for families.
Meet with parents of participants to discuss progress, incidents and needs.
Ensure updated progress reports for participants.
Meet with parents of participants to discuss progress, incidents and needs as warranted.
Collaborate with Lead, Director, LC and Director of Behavior Support and Training to complete necessary forms and assessments for behavior intervention and progress as necessary.
Ensure timely completion of incident/injury reports, reviewing at each shift before submission to Director.
Ensure accurate completion of all daily activities.
Accurately complete all waiver case notes.
Accurately clock in and out, ensuring proper timekeeping for duties.
CPR, First Aid, Mandatory Reporting, Universal Precautions
Safety Care
Training related to professional growth and/or program quality as approved by HHS IQ4K (12 hours)
HIPAA Compliance
Social Emotional Mental Health Training as approved by IA HHS IQ4K (6 hours)
Food Safety Approved Training (at least 1 training)
ISU-E’s Passport to Early Education (within 9 months of employment)
Iowa Early Learning Standards
Maintain knowledge of all services provided by Hand in Hand to promote our programs in the community.
Maintain ongoing communication with staff and Director of Programs LC regarding ideas, concerns, safety issues and suggestions for designing and growing Hand in Hand programs.
Communicate with administrators, therapists, case managers and other professionals from outside agencies to coordinate services.
Stay abreast of concerns or issues affecting Hand in Hand participants and families, offering ideas to better serve the population and meet those needs.