Direct Support Professional (DSP) Lead - CAG C

Hi-Hope Service Center•Lawrenceville, GA

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional Lead guides DSP staff and assists adults with developmental disabilities in non-residential and/or community settings, ensuring their safety and supporting their integration into the community. The role provides instruction in daily living and social skills, assists with personal care and communication, and encourages individuals to become self-confident, independent, and engaged. The position routinely operates company vehicles and may use a personal vehicle when necessary. The Lead supervises support according to each person's Individual Service Plan (ISP), needs, and protocols; assists with activities of daily living, communication, mobility, nutrition, and medication-related needs; and supports community outings, recreation, meaningful-day activities, and person-centered goals. The role maintains timely and accurate records, follows safety, emergency, infection-control, confidentiality, and other agency and regulatory requirements, and helps maintain a safe and healthy environment. As a team leader and resource for DSPs, the Lead guides and monitors their daily work, mentors professional development, provides training and coaching, supports documentation quality, coordinates staffing coverage, and partners with the CAG Manager on training and staff meeting agendas. The position also develops monthly staffing schedules, monitors required staffing ratios, reviews medication and service documentation, and performs other duties assigned by management and administration. Work is performed indoors in an office setting, sitting at a computer 80% of the time. The position requires travel in a designated territory 30%–50% of the time and includes lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 50 pounds, as well as consistently lifting, standing, and carrying.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with advanced computer skills in Excel and PowerPoint.
Familiarity and competence using a personal computer, the Internet, software programs, and assistive technology equipment.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
Must have a negative drug screening and a tuberculosis (TB) screening or X-ray.
Must have an acceptable motor vehicle record, with no more than two moving violations in a three-year period within the last five years.
Must have vehicle liability insurance, an acceptable criminal record check, and reliable transportation.
Must be able to travel in the designated territory 30%–50% of the time.
Must obtain CPR/AED and First Aid certification, a valid Georgia driver's license, Transportation and Vehicle Emergency Evacuation training, and De-escalation Techniques certification within 90 days of employment.
Must demonstrate accountability, accuracy, effective oral and written communication, ethical conduct, honesty and integrity, patience, reliability, adaptability, attention to detail, relationship building, safety awareness, coaching and development, conflict resolution, problem solving, tolerance, and ability to work under pressure.
Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds and consistently lift, stand, and carry; must have proper hearing, vision, and speech capabilities.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of related experience working in a day program setting assisting people with developmental disabilities.
At least one to two years of supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise and support individuals according to their ISPs, individual needs, and established protocols while respecting what is important to and for each person.
Train and assist individuals with activities of daily living and communication, including grooming, hygiene, meals, dressing, toileting, showering, and use of assistive technology and communication devices.
Assist individuals in maintaining personal belongings and encourage maximum mobility and independence, including assisting with ambulation and transfers using approved techniques.
Follow nutrition plans, medical and medication directives, and schedules; support self-administration of medication, administer medication when properly trained and authorized, and observe and report adverse reactions and side effects.
Monitor food and drink intake for choking risks, dietary restrictions, and proper nutrition, and prepare food according to ISP or nursing instructions.
Use approved de-escalation techniques and intervene in problem situations accordingly.
Provide transportation to appointments, meetings, community outings, employment, and emergencies in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Plan for and participate in ISP, SIS, IDT, Resident Council, and other meetings as assigned; provide feedback on progress and recommendations for person-centered goals.
Use person-centered tools to help individuals identify and develop goals.
Plan and participate in community-integrated outings, recreational and leisure activities, and meaningful-day activities that support skills, ISP goals, community presence, and relationships.
Record individual information and data accurately, clearly, legibly, and on time; complete assigned documentation in accordance with agency policies and approved language.
Maintain basic care of equipment and supplies and help maintain a safe, secure, clean, healthy, and attractive environment; identify and report safety concerns.
Participate in staff development, trainings, meetings, seminars, conferences, and other scheduled learning activities, and apply learned concepts to daily work.
Maintain confidentiality and follow agency, regulatory, safety, emergency, infection-control, universal-precaution, dress-code, and professional-conduct requirements.
Coordinate with coworkers to maintain required staff-to-individual ratios and notify a supervisor if ratios cannot be maintained.
Develop monthly staffing schedules and monitor coverage to maintain required staffing ratios.
Review documentation for completeness, compliance, and quality; follow up with DSPs to resolve missing or incorrect documentation.
Serve as a team leader and resource for DSPs by guiding and monitoring daily work, mentoring professional development, and providing real-time feedback, coaching, assistance, and modeling.
Partner with the CAG Manager to develop in-service training, coaching, professional development goals, and staff meeting agenda items.
Schedule, execute, and document drills as scheduled.
Work with DSPs to resolve conflicts and provide training on service-related topics, individual support needs, and DBHDD compliance.
Record attendance of individuals supported and provide supporting records to appropriate personnel.
Review CareSuite and MARs to verify that medication self-administration has been completed and documented.
Perform other duties assigned by management and administration.