Direct Support Professional/Older Adults

Gesher Human Services•Southfield, MI

8d•$17 - $22

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional provides care and support to older adults with dementia in a day program setting. The role is part of the Senior Adult Services department and reports to the Site Supervisor - Brown Program. The position is part-time at 25 hours per week and includes participant care, activity support, transportation, food preparation, and maintenance of program and vehicle safety. The employee develops working relationships with participants, helps develop and monitor care plans, provides individual and group support, assists with personal care and mobility, and monitors participants’ health, behavior, and surroundings. The role also includes driving designated passengers on assigned routes, assisting them on and off the vehicle, maintaining trip records, ensuring transportation requirements are met, and arranging vehicle upkeep. Additional duties may include supporting family caregivers when requested and serving on agency committees. This is a non-exempt position eligible for overtime pay under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Working conditions include moderate noise and the ability to work in a confined area and sit at a computer terminal for extended periods. Physical work includes standing, sitting, communicating, using hands and fingers, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and assisting with participant transfers and mobility; participant weights average 130 pounds. Accommodation may be provided as appropriate and fiscally reasonable.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old and have at least two years of driving experience.
Valid Michigan driver’s license.
Ability to obtain a chauffeur’s license and successfully pass a Commercial Driver Medical Exam (CDME), drug test, and alcohol test upon hire.
Willingness to drive a 15-passenger van.
Interpersonal skills sufficient to communicate with participants, the public, and staff, including older adults and individuals with physical and/or mental impairments.
Reading skills sufficient to follow written instructions.
Writing skills sufficient to maintain logs and schedules.
Driving record must meet safe driving standards established by the agency’s insurance carrier.
Ability to work in a confined area and sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.
Ability to perform physical assistance, including participant transfers and mobility support; participants’ weights average 130 pounds.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Develop an effective working relationship with each participant based on knowledge of their psychosocial and physical health assessment.
Help develop and monitor participants’ care plans.
Lead activity groups with input from professional staff.
Provide one-to-one support to participants when indicated.
Assist participants with personal care, including toileting, hygiene, grooming, and bathing when applicable, and assist with transfers for individuals with physical impairments.
Monitor participants’ health status, behavior, and immediate environment to ensure their safety.
Accompany participants on outings to community sites.
Clean program areas as needed to maintain a sanitary environment and support safe program operations.
Prepare breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks for participants.
Transport designated passengers in a SMART vehicle according to assigned routes and schedules.
Ensure transportation safety requirements are met.
Check and maintain minor vehicle items, request or schedule more extensive service in a timely manner, and clean the vehicle interior as needed.
Attend technical, driving-related, and program-related seminars as necessary.
Assist passengers on and off the vehicle and provide door-through-door escort as needed.
Maintain trip records.
Serve on agency committees as appointed.
Provide supportive intervention to family caregivers when requested.