Direct Support Professional Trainer

Easterseals Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional Trainer serves as a trainer and mentor for DSP staff on individualized program and behavior plans for people served by the Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC). The role observes care and engagement activities, monitors quality, and provides direct one-to-one care and support during shifts. The schedule may vary week to week according to training and staffing needs, emergencies, and other program needs. The work schedule is set biweekly and must support training and observation across all shifts, with at least two days off per week unless an adjustment has been agreed upon in advance. The trainer develops and maintains materials for new-hire and ongoing training, documents training, monitors staff training records, and checks in with new and existing staff to identify training needs and review progress. The role also provides feedback on staff performance and quality, facilitates training by other disciplines, and keeps orientation materials and checklists current. The position works independently with minimal oversight and follows organizational policies and procedures, applicable regulations, and individual care, therapy, nursing, and behavior support plans. The role also assists directly with activities of daily living and other supports outlined in individual plans, maintains communication with CRC departments and supervisors, attends required meetings, and supports program compliance. A valid Arkansas driver’s license and proof of insurability are required. First Aid and CPR certifications are required, and CPI or a similar behavior trainer certification must be obtained within the first six months in the position. The position is designated as non-safety sensitive under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment.

Requirements

Two years of related experience.
Valid Arkansas Driver's License and proof of insurability.
First Aid certification.
CPR certification.
CPI or similar behavior trainer certification within the first six months in the position.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to involve appropriate people in decision-making and include others in planning, decision-making, facilitation, and process improvement.
Ability to explain the reasoning for decisions, listen, seek clarification, and respond to questions concisely.
Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner and develop alternative solutions.
Ability to plan and organize work effectively, ensure its completion, and assist in developing realistic action plans.
Ability to maintain current knowledge and understanding of regulations and develop personal leadership skills.
Ability to foster quality in others and improve processes, products, and services.
Knowledge of and ability to use or learn Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google, and other platforms used by Easterseals Arkansas.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including regularly lifting or moving up to 10 pounds, frequently lifting or moving up to 50 pounds with assistance, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 100 pounds with assistance.
Ability to meet the listed physical demands, including use of hands, standing, walking, reaching, and occasional climbing, balancing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; reasonable accommodations may be made.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain training materials for new hires and ongoing training, using strategies suited to staff with varied backgrounds and experience.
Maintain an organized process for documenting training provided.
Participate in biweekly CRC orientation for new hires.
Train DSPs on activities of daily living, therapy extensions, feeding, cleaning, recreation and leisure engagement, individual functional communication systems, behavior plans, incident reporting, and care modifications resulting from changes in medical care or treatment plans.
Submit training documentation to Human Resources within 48 hours after training is completed.
Check in with new staff at least every two weeks for 90 days after hire to monitor job knowledge and ensure they have needed training and tools; report concerns to the appropriate supervisor and Director/Administrator.
Contact existing staff at least every 30 days to identify training needs and check progress on required quarterly training; report concerns to the Director/Administrator.
Observe staff engagement and care, provide quality-assurance feedback to the appropriate supervisor and Director/Administrator, and maintain a written or electronic log of staff contacts and communications.
Provide written summaries of communications, such as emails, to the staff member’s DSP shift supervisor and Director/Administrator.
Facilitate training for DSPs provided by other disciplines.
Keep orientation checklists and training materials current with best practices and organizational policies and procedures.
Learn the individuals served, including their ages, functional abilities, daily living needs, recreation and leisure activities, and individualized and behavioral plans, to support staff training.
Maintain a flexible schedule across shifts to meet training and observation needs, with the schedule set biweekly and at least two days off per week unless an adjustment has been agreed upon in advance.
Work independently and implement organizational policies and procedures, Office of Long-Term Care regulations, individual program plans, therapy and nursing plans, and behavior support plans.
Keep required trainings and certifications current.
Monitor DSP training records for timely completion of orientation, behavior management, in-person and annual training, online training, safe driver training, CPR, and First Aid; report overdue requirements to the CRC Director/Administrator.
Provide direct assistance with activities of daily living and other supports specified in individual program and behavior plans.
Assist with policy and procedure development when requested.
Maintain regular communication with CRC departments and disciplines and respond promptly to emails and phone calls.
Monitor compliance with applicable Easterseals Arkansas policies and procedures and report concerns to the program Director/Administrator.
Attend required program and agency-wide meetings and complete assigned tasks within expected time frames.
Comply with applicable laws and regulations and follow restrictions on access to protected health information.