DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
About The Position
A Direct Support Professional ensures individuals' health, safety, and welfare, enhances their quality of life, and supports community inclusion. The role is responsible for client programming and care, including supporting daily living skills, community activities, medical needs, and crisis situations. The position also requires accurate and timely documentation, maintaining residence cleanliness, protecting client confidentiality, following agency policies and safety protocols, and representing Citizen Advocates, Inc. professionally. Community Living operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week; the supervisor determines schedules based on location and departmental needs, and hours may vary with company needs and workload. Travel is required as needed, mostly for resident hospital visits, and may be as far as Albany, New York.
Requirements
- One year of experience working with people with developmental disabilities or mental health needs.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and move intermittently throughout the day.
- Ability to provide personal care to clients.
- Ability to work in stressful situations and in a team environment.
- Ability to travel as needed, mostly for resident hospital visits, including travel as far as Albany, NY.
- Competencies include confidentiality, putting individuals first, building and maintaining positive relationships, professionalism, ethical conduct, and organization.
Responsibilities
- Ensure adequate food, shelter, and clothing are available for each resident.
- Provide first aid and nursing assistance as necessary or requested by a nurse or supervisor, and report nursing and medical needs to a supervisor as needed.
- Assess and instruct residents in daily living skills.
- Lift, transfer, and position residents as prescribed.
- Prepare meals and involve residents in meal preparation.
- Intervene and assist in crisis situations, accessing appropriate resources as needed.
- Support community outings.
- Monitor and dispense medications and adhere to physicians' orders.
- Provide programming as written by the Program Coordinator and communicate programming information to the Program Coordinator and Manager as needed.
- Ensure staffing ratios are met at all times.
- Demonstrate cultural beliefs in daily interactions and use the least restrictive prompting at all times.
- Follow behavior plans and crisis management plans as written.
- Participate in staff, team, and residence meetings.
- Attend required training and maintain required certifications.
- Complete timely and accurate documentation of programming, client care, and medical information according to agency policies and procedures.
- Assist with residence cleanliness and upkeep as instructed.
- Follow universal precautions and program policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate flexibility with scheduling and protect client confidentiality.
- Professionally represent Citizen Advocates, Inc. with families, other organizations, and the community.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
