Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Thresholds•Grand Rapids, MI

10d•$0 - $17•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is part of the staff at the Adult Foster Care (AFC) Home providing care and training to the individuals living there. The DSP will provide the necessary assistance in carrying out a program designed to promote maximum development of each resident's capabilities.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma.
A demonstrated ability to relate to persons with disabilities.
An awareness of the psycho-social and physical needs of persons with developmental disabilities.
Physical ability to handle the work.
Possess a valid Michigan Driver’s License with good driving history.
Regular and predictable attendance, including training courses, and home staff meeting.
Demonstrate agency core values: Integrity, Best effort, Respect for others – includes, individuals served, leadership, and co-workers.
Ability to accept and apply feedback.
Critical thinking.
Ability to work independently and show initiative in completing tasks without prompting.
Minimal errors.
Provide excellent care of Individuals.
Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English, including appropriate speech volume and clarity.
Proficient in mathematics.
Normal hearing required for conversation, telephone use, and emergency information systems.
Visual acuity, depth perception, and field of vision within normal range.
Must be independently ambulatory and able to move safely across all surfaces and throughout the work environment.
Must have full active range of motion in all extremities, including the ability to reach above shoulders, turn head 180 degrees, and frequently bend, squat, twist, kneel, and climb steps and ramps.
Must be able to taste/smell.
Must be able to perceive/discriminate size, temperature, shapes, and/or textures.
Must be authorized for coverage under agency insurance if operating agency vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of medical procedures
Knowledge of fire safety procedures.

Responsibilities

Assist in planning and implementing individual program goals designed to promote maximum independence.
Assist in training of self-care skills and supervise daily self-care activities.
Assist each resident as necessary in all activities of daily living.
Within the structure of the individual program plan, assist the residents in planning and utilizing leisure time activities. Includes providing outings in the community which requires driving agency vehicles.
Assist in doing daily domestic chores to ensure the group home remains neat, clean, and orderly. This also includes helping with each resident’s laundry.
Properly clean and/or maintain some Agency property including; vehicles, lawns, flower beds and keeping porches clear of ice and snow at all times.
Maintain a good relationship with parents, guardians, office staff, and employees from other Mental Health Programs.
Give residents appropriate choices and include them in the decision-making process.
Assist in Doctor appointments which may require driving an agency vehicle.
Carry out any other duties assigned to them by the Resident Manager, Home Supervisor, Director of Residential Services, or other agency Administrator.
Self-care Skills training (Grooming, Personal hygiene, Appropriate behavior, Appropriate social interaction, Language development, Small and large muscle movement, Arts, crafts, and other activities, Minimal domestic skills).
Morning Hours duties: Personal Hygiene, Dressing, Toileting, Domestic Skills, Preparation for Breakfast.
Afternoon and Evening Hours duties: Showering and Bathing, Preparation for Dinner, Next day Lunch preparation.
In-house Activities (Schedule and Supervise).
Preparation for Programs – Washing of residents, clean clothes and appropriate clothing for seasons.
Teaching residents’ socialization skills.
Supervision of residents at programs and activities.
Administering medications.
Weekend duties include morning, afternoon, and evening hour duties, additional domestic skills, assisting in the organization and supervision of in-house and out-of-house activities, and assisting residents in preparation for religious activity if applicable.
Additional Responsibilities as Needed: Stripping and re-making beds, Cleaning and caring of private bathrooms, Preparation for and supervision of special out-of-house activities, Responding to Emergencies (Understanding of medical procedures, Knowledge of fire safety procedures).
Doing some of the duties assigned to resident managers if they are ill or are unable to do them, as during an emergency, according to the Residential Services Policy and Procedure Manual.
Attend all staff meetings and required in-service training.
Must be willing and able to transport individuals served using the organization's vehicle, in accordance with agency policies and safety standards.
Provide training under the supervision of the Program Administrator, Assistant Program Administrator, with direction and support from the Supports Coordinators, and others on the care team.