Direct Support Professional - Group Home

Beacon Specialized Living•Belvidere, NJ

1d•$20 - $22

About The Position

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) helps individuals achieve personal goals, increase independence, and participate fully in their communities while ensuring their health, safety, and well-being. The position is part of Operations, works in various locations, and reports to the Care Team Manager. It is classified as non-exempt. Beacon provides residential-based services and supports to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, severe mental illness, autism, and high-acuity behaviors. Work must comply with company policies and procedures, accreditation standards, state and federal licensing requirements, HCBS guidelines, and contractual and regulatory requirements. Team members are expected to support the organization’s mission and I CARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. The DSP works in a typical home setting or in the community, including stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The role may involve supporting individuals with psychosocial or chronic and acute health needs, including non-cooperative behavior. The work environment may cause stress and anxiety, is usually moderately noisy, and may involve exposure to cold, heat, dust, smoke, blood, bodily fluids, and tissue. The job has substantial physical demands, including assisting with personal care and transfers, lifting and carrying, walking and standing, climbing stairs, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old.
Pass criminal background checks and, where applicable, central registry and child abuse registry checks.
Complete and pass a drug test where applicable.
Possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English.
Be approved by applicable state, federal, and government entities to work within BSLS programs.
Be able to use office equipment and BSLS information technology systems.
Be physically and emotionally able to work with individuals who have mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
Be able to communicate and function within an interdisciplinary team.
Have strong computer skills using various software programs and applications.
Have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to create professional employee communication materials.
Work effectively with all levels of the organization, maintain a professional demeanor, multitask, and work with little daily supervision.
Meet the physical demands of the role, including moving about the home or community, bending, squatting, standing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, walking, reaching, lifting and carrying objects up to 50 pounds, climbing stairs, preparing meals, doing laundry and cleaning, and assisting with transfers of individuals weighing up to 200 pounds.
Be able to use a computer and office productivity equipment, distribute medication with manual dexterity, and perform visual and hearing tasks needed for safety, communication, and documentation.
Be able to read, comprehend, write, communicate orally, reason, analyze, and adapt mentally.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred; required in certain states.

Responsibilities

Comply with company and regulatory policies and procedures, accreditation standards, licensing requirements, HCBS guidelines, and applicable contractual requirements.
Set positive examples and model the organization’s core values and mission.
Follow each individual’s person-centered plan, behavior plan, rights, and house guidelines.
Provide opportunities and support for individuals to pursue personal goals, attend activities, increase independence, and participate in their communities.
Provide quality care and maintain a safe, healthy, and trusting environment; protect individuals from abuse or neglect and promptly report occurrences to appropriate entities.
Maintain the confidentiality and security of individuals’ information and records.
Prepare meals as needed according to food specifications, diets, food exchanges, and documentation; understand food supply and storage processes.
Transport individuals, attend appointments with them, advocate for them, and obtain necessary documentation when needed.
Help individuals budget using their funds when applicable.
Complete required documentation before the end of each shift, including progress notes, daily support logs, event and incident reports, leave-of-absence forms, and individual inventories.
Assist individuals with laundry and bedroom cleanliness as assigned, and maintain the cleanliness of the home according to the assignment chart.
Remain awake and immediately accessible in homes requiring 24/7 care.
Administer medications as needed.
Communicate handoff information to the next shift.
Cooperate with Beacon, Department of Human Services staff, and other regulatory bodies during inspections, investigations, or inquiries.
Promote a positive and productive workplace, address negative workplace behaviors, treat others with dignity and respect, and communicate effectively across organizational levels.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.