Direct Support Professional/Older Adults

Gesher Human Services • Southfield, MI

8d

About The Position

Providing care and support to older adults with dementia in a day program setting.

Requirements

• Valid Michigan driver’s license.
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to communicate with participants, public and staff.
• Reading skills sufficient to follow written instructions and writing skills sufficient to maintain logs and schedules.
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to communicate with public and co-workers, which may include older adults and individuals with physical and/or mental impairments.
• Driving record must meet safe driving standards as established by Agency insurance carrier.

Nice To Haves

• Six months related work experience with senior adults who have cognitive, memory, and/or physical impairments preferred.
• Experience providing personal care and/or therapeutic activities preferred.
• Successful completion of Agency dementia training within the probationary period.
• Six months to one-year related driving experience; background with 20 foot or larger buses preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop an effective working relationship with each participant based upon knowledge of each participant’s psychosocial and physical health assessment.
• Help develop and monitor participants’ care plans.
• With input from professional staff, lead activity groups.
• Provide one-to-one support to participants when indicated.
• Assist participants with personal care, including toileting, hygiene, grooming, and bathing when applicable. Provide assistance in transferring individuals with physical impairments.
• Ensure safety of participants by monitoring their health status, behavior, and immediate environment.
• Accompany participants on outings to community sites.
• Assist with cleaning program areas as needed to maintain a sanitary environment, avoid risk to participants and enhance program operation.
• Prepare food for participants’ breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.
• Transport designated passengers in SMART vehicle according to assigned routes and schedules.
• Ensure that transportation safety requirements are met.
• Ensure that all required vehicle maintenance is carried out on a timely basis, by checking and maintaining minor items and requesting/scheduling more extensive service. Clean the vehicle interior as needed.
• Attend technical/driving-related and program-related seminar(s) as necessary.
• Assist passengers on and off vehicle to ensure their safety, providing door-through-door escort as needed.
• Maintain trip records.
• Serve on Agency committee(s) as appointed.
• Provide supportive intervention to family caregivers, as requested.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed