Direct Support Professional V

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you! Driver’s License is required. This position is available for Morning, Evening and Night shifts on multiple homes. This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends. This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations. The Direct Support Professional (DSP) V, Home Supervisor, performs highly advanced (senior level) work overseeing the daily operations and delivery of quality programs and services provided on the assigned home at the State Supported Living Center (SSLC). Arranges work schedules to ensure adequate supervision/coverage based upon levels of supervision and levels of direct care of individuals served. Provides leadership to, and plans, assigns and supervises the activities of DSPs on the home. Performs supervisory functions such as hiring, training, coaching, time and leave accounting, and promoting professional growth. Models for and coaches DSP IV “Charge” staff to build their supervisory and leadership skills, and ensures they effectively monitor habilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, mealtime coordination, and other plans for each shift. Ensures that care, treatment, training, and support activities are completed and documented, in collaboration with other disciplines. Provides consultation, guidance, and support to staff to build capacity for working with individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors. Maintains a physical presence on the home to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions, proper infection control practices, attention to health care needs, adherence to risk management protocols, and an optimal quality of life for the individuals. Ensures the reporting and proper documentation of unusual incidents. Ensures staff in the assigned home are engaged in continuous quality improvement. Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations to improve operations to the Unit Director. Provides guidance and assistance to DSP staff to understand and implement program procedures, policies, and laws. Attends assigned meetings and prepares required reports and other documentation. Reports to the Assistant Unit Director or Unit Director depending on SSLC structure. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position required to drive a state-owned vehicle.

Requirements

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
Ability to speak and read English.
Ability to make decisions and uses good judgment when dealing with critical incidents.
Ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency.
Ability to demonstrate proper body mechanics, good posture, and proper lifting techniques.
Strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Safety Utilization of Restraint (SUR) techniques to restrain and prevent harm to that individual or others until the harmful/violent behavior subsides.
Ability to master basic techniques of individual care and training.
Ability to be flexible in handling work assignments.
Knowledge of individual care techniques and of treatment, therapy, and developmental programs.
Knowledge of Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) standards
Ability to provide individual care, to administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to conduct Safety Utilization of Restraint (SUR), to communicate effectively, and to train others.
Ability to work effectively with others and as a member of a team.
Skill in scheduling.
Skill in training, guiding and leading others.
Skill in setting and helping others achieve expectations and goals.
Valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date, is required. Applicants with an out-of-state driver’s license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
High school diploma or GED is preferred.
Two (2) years’ experience working with people with developmental or physical disabilities) is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) is preferred.
Experience serving as a supervisor or serving as a team lead is preferred.

Responsibilities

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
Oversees the daily operations and delivery of quality programs and services provided on the assigned home. Arranges work schedules to ensure adequate supervision/coverage based upon levels of supervision and levels of direct care of individuals served. Makes daily adjustments to ensure coverage of the home, collaborating with other DSP Vs for the best interest of the SSLC as a whole.
Provides leadership to, and plans, assigns and supervises the activities of DSPs on the home. Hires, trains, and promotes professional growth of assigned DSPs so that a competent workforce is maintained. Ensures that all assigned staff are compliant in training per agency and facility standards. Reviews essential job functions, performance expectations, coaches job performance, and provides supportive and constructive feedback. Conducts performance evaluations of assigned staff to give employees timely feedback on their performance and oversees staff development plans and activities. Ensures all staff are entering their time accurately into the CAPPS system to reflect leave earned/taken, reviewing and approving entries, as well as ensuring all direct reports certify their time entries on a monthly basis. Takes action to improve employee retention and reduce turnover.
Trains and utilizes DSP IV “Charge” staff effectively to manage each shift. Ensures the DSP IV “Charge” effectively monitors habilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, mealtime coordination, and other plans. Models for and coaches DSP IV “Charge” staff to build their supervisory and leadership skills. Models how to teach and assist individuals with carrying out and documenting program plans, including using the electronic health record or other documentation system(s).
Ensures that care, treatment, training, and support activities are completed and documented on the assigned home according to individual plans. Ensures sufficient active treatment/engagement materials are always available for the individuals’ safe and therapeutic use. Works collaboratively with other staff assigned to the home such as in the areas of QIDP services, behavioral health, and active treatment/vocational services to ensure integrated services and programming. Attends Interdisciplinary Team Meetings (IDTs) and participates in the development and implementation of individuals’ plans. Ensures Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) understand and are adequately trained to implement the plans.
Provides consultation, guidance, and support to staff to build capacity for working with individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors. Provides behavioral intervention strategies to ensure that individuals are protected from harm or injury and appropriately manages aggressive behavior between individuals. Models how to work with individuals who have complex needs and who exhibit aggressive and/or self-injurious behaviors. Guides staff to adapt to changing populations and needs and develops and implements strategies to meet those needs.
Ensures proper management and supervision of staff and their assigned duties to ensure that individuals are free from physical and emotional harm. Ensures ongoing and respectful interaction between the staff and the individuals. Maintains a physical presence on the home to ensure optimal quality of life for the individuals. Supervises monitors and documents the activities of DSPs. Praises staff for positive performance, creating an environment where staff feel safe to ask for help and guidance, while intervening to correct mistakes in real time when necessary.
Ensures the health care needs of individuals are met, under the supervision of medical personnel. Administers first aid to individuals as appropriate. Conducts emergency drills on a monthly basis, such as CPR drills, fire drills, ensuring all staff know their role in a true emergency. Reports and ensures DSPs report significant changes in individuals’ physical conditions and/or behavior to designated personnel.
Ensures that the home is maintained as a safe and sanitary living environment for individuals. Ensures infection control and risk management policies and procedures are correctly implemented. Ensures that individuals’ environment is free of safety hazards by correcting and reporting hazards, entering work orders for maintenance issues, and teaching and overseeing others to do the same.
Ensures the assigned home is engaged in continuous quality improvement and compliance with the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement. Oversees and ensures the reporting of unusual incidents such as fires, abuse of individuals, injuries, and unauthorized departures. Review documentation following significant events. Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations to improve operations to the Unit Director.
Provides guidance and assistance to DSP staff to understand and implement program procedures, policies, and laws, such as the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). Ensures proper procedures are followed in Abuse & Neglect investigations, and follow-up assignments are completed in a timely manner for any administrative concerns identified in such investigations. Ensures that identified issues are responded to promptly. Ensures proper supports are put in place as directed.
Attends routine meetings such as scheduling meetings, morning unit/home meetings and staff meetings and follows up with issues generated from meetings. Prepares required reports and other documentation. Attends other meetings, serves on committee, and performs other specific tasks, such as providing assistance in transporting of individuals going on scheduled activities and in emergency situations when directed by the Assistant Unit Director/Unit Director or other SSLC Leadership. Serves as the Assistant Unit Director/Unit Director in his/her absence, as assigned.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees
defined benefit pension plan
generous time off benefits
numerous opportunities for career advancement

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