Direct Support Professional

Support Solutions • Nashville, TN

22d • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports individuals with disabilities to lead self-directed lives and develop or maintain skills that enhance their quality of life. The role is guided by the mission of ensuring supported persons are happy, healthy, and safe while enjoying life to the fullest extent possible.

The position provides person-centered support with personal care, daily routines, activities of daily living, and goals identified in each person’s Individual Support Plan (ISP). It promotes dignity, choice, independence, community integration, meaningful relationships, and participation in preferred activities. The role also includes transportation to appointments and community activities, meal preparation, medication storage and administration, household tasks, documentation, and protecting confidentiality.

The position works primarily in a home environment and may also involve community settings, workplaces, and outdoor activities. It may be part-time or full-time and may require additional hours beyond 40 per week. Employees must meet applicable medical and training requirements and maintain required certifications throughout employment.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must be able to read and write effectively.
• ECF staff must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have a valid state-issued driver’s license and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout employment.
• Must meet state and local requirements for criminal background, sexual offender, abuse registry, drug, and felony offender checks.
• Must meet all training requirements and keep training current.
• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have effective organizational skills, manage heavy workloads within established time frames, and work with frequent interruptions or distractions.
• Must have effective interpersonal skills and be able to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and interact appropriately in varied contexts.
• Must maintain confidentiality in matters concerning clients and employees.
• Must be able to perform a variety of duties and adapt to changing tasks, technologies, techniques, environmental factors, physical demands, and work situations.
• Must provide medical records required by governing entities and Support Solutions policy; examples include TB skin tests and hepatitis B and flu vaccinations.
• Must be able to stand or walk for prolonged periods and sit for short or long periods as duties require.
• Must be able to occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, bend, and climb when needed.
• Must be able to drive or travel for short periods to transport supported persons and attend meetings and trainings.
• Must have the range of body movement needed to perform CPR compressions, abdominal thrusts, CPI techniques, and other physical interventions described in the posting.
• Must have all five senses and the vision abilities needed for reading, computer or tablet data entry, and operating a vehicle.
• Must be able to talk and listen for prolonged periods, both by telephone and face to face.
• Must be able to lift more than 50 pounds to assist with transfers and repositioning of total-care individuals.
• Must maintain valid Medication Certification throughout employment.
• Must maintain valid CPR/First Aid Certification throughout employment.
• Must maintain valid CPI training throughout employment if required.
• Must have valid automobile insurance when working in a home where an agency vehicle is not provided and provide proof when required.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals with personal care, daily routines, and outcomes specified in their Individual Support Plans.
• Respect the worth and dignity of supported persons, promote their choices and self-direction, and connect them with activities and experiences they prefer.
• Provide person-centered support that helps individuals pursue goals, establish relationships, and participate in their communities.
• Safely transport and accompany supported persons to events, job sites, medical appointments, and other activities using company vehicles, personal vehicles, or public transportation as appropriate.
• Arrange alternate transportation when an unpaid support transporting a person presents a safety concern.
• Ensure proper use of supported persons’ and agency resources, including funds, vehicles, buildings, utilities, equipment, food, and supplies.
• Attend assigned training meetings and maintain required training.
• Cook and provide meals according to scheduled menus.
• Perform daily living and personal skills activities, or teach supported persons to perform them, to promote independence.
• Consistently work toward and document progress on support outcomes.
• Use the electronic records system and complete required daily shift notes.
• Follow customer service standards when communicating with supported persons, families, conservators, vendors, ISCs, case managers, and others.
• Oversee the storage and administration of medications.
• Assist with personal grooming as desired, supporting the person’s independence where possible.
• Assist with house cleaning and laundry as desired by the supported person.
• Protect the confidentiality of supported persons.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors, managers, or authorized staff.

Benefits

• $300 sign-on bonus after successful completion of 90 days of service for full-time and part-time hires working at least 24 hours per week.
• $300 referral bonus for employee-referred hires who successfully complete 90 days of service and work full-time or part-time hours.
• Weekly pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED