Direct Support Professional (DSP) I: OIDD - Whitten

State of South Carolina•Laurens County, SC

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional I is an entry-level role at Whitten Regional Center, an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) operated by the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The center serves residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Under the direct supervision of a Direct Support Professional III, the employee provides direct, hands-on care and supports consumers’ health, safety, daily living skills, and participation in individual and group activities in accordance with their individual support plans and applicable protocols. This is an essential employee position. Overtime may be required to ensure consumer safety and supervision, and employees may be required to work during emergencies or disasters, including hazardous weather. The position offers a $1,000 sign-on bonus for eligible candidates, distributed after three, six, nine, and twelve months of successful continuous full-time employment. Applicable shifts may qualify for up to a $3.50 per hour shift differential.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet required pre-employment screenings, including medical and drug screening, background checks and fingerprinting, child abuse and neglect registry screening, federal exclusion-list screening, driving record check, and verification of educational credentials.
Complete required tuberculosis testing before beginning employment if working directly with consumers.
Healthcare-provider hires must provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, Varicella, and Hepatitis B before beginning employment.

Nice To Haves

Administrative abilities and general knowledge of intellectual disabilities.
Basic computer skills, including use of Therap and SCEIS Central for time and leave purposes.
Knowledge of relevant federal and state regulations and basic safety practices.
Valid driver's license.
Physical ability to lift, push, stand, stoop, kneel, and run.
Ability to work with individuals who may be physically aggressive or medically fragile.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors for certain periods.

Responsibilities

Ensure each consumer’s health and safety while following the prescribed behavior support plan, dining protocol, lifting protocol, and training and service programs in the individual support plan.
Report to duty as outlined in policies and procedures and assume accountability for assigned consumers.
Provide direct, hands-on individual care using sound professional techniques and in accordance with agency and office guidelines, rules, and regulations.
Participate in training and guide consumers in developing activities of daily living skills.
Transport and monitor consumers to and from off-campus appointments, programs, and activities.
Implement training and service programs in accordance with ICF-IID active treatment standards and individual support plans; assist with daily activities and engage consumers in group activities.
Complete timely and accurate data collection and assessments in keeping with individual support plans.
Maintain documentation in compliance with agency and office policies and procedures.
Provide input as an active member of the interdisciplinary team and participate in required team and staff meetings.
Immediately report significant events and suspected abuse in accordance with agency and office policies and procedures.
Maintain a safe, orderly, neat, and clean environment for consumers.
Follow agency and office policies and procedures and perform additional duties as required.
Work overtime as required to ensure consumer safety and supervision, and work during emergencies or disasters as required under the State Disaster Plan.

Benefits

Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
15 days of sick leave per year.
13 paid holidays.
Paid parental leave.
South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program available.
State Retirement Plan or State Optional Retirement Program.
$1,000 sign-on bonus for eligible candidates, distributed after three, six, nine, and twelve months of successful continuous full-time employment.
Up to $3.50 per hour shift differential for applicable shifts.
Referral Incentive Reward and Retention Bonus programs.