Direct Support Professional - DTS

SESDAC INC•Vermillion, SD

4d•$21 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Direct Support Professionals assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving independence and participating in their communities. They help people pursue personal goals, develop life skills, academic and employment skills, and engage in meaningful social activities within structured, supportive environments. The role provides person-centered support, guidance, and assistance while promoting dignity, choice, safety, and quality of life. This is a full-time Day Services position with a typical Monday through Friday schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work hours and locations may vary according to program needs, and flexibility is required. The position reports to the Director of Services. Day Services duties include maintaining transition classroom spaces and schedules; supporting volunteering, prevocational, educational, employment, and functional-skill development; providing job coaching as directed; supporting community participation and natural support networks; adapting teaching materials to individual learning needs; arranging transportation; tracking attendance; and implementing personal support plans, objectives, goals, behavior support plans, and rights restrictions with required documentation. The role also involves assisting with daily living skills, personal hygiene, health and dietary needs, medication administration after required training, finances and resources, and transfers or repositioning. Staff monitor and report health, safety, behavioral, and facility concerns; respond to emergencies; maintain confidentiality; and report alleged abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or exploitation immediately. The position requires professional conduct, teamwork, training participation, accurate documentation, and the ability to work independently and provide emergency coverage or on-call relief when needed or assigned. DSPs work in varied, fast-paced settings, including homes, workplaces, and community locations. The work may involve challenging behaviors, verbal or physical aggression, self-injury, loud environments, stress, and substantial physical activity. Physical tasks may include extended standing and walking, kneeling, bending, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds (potentially more during emergencies), pushing and pulling, cleaning, transfers, and some climbing and balancing. Exposure to infectious diseases, bodily fluids, odors, dust, and cleaning agents may occur. The position requires a high school diploma or GED, basic oral and written English fluency, computer experience and comfort navigating technology, a valid driver’s license and evidence of insurability upon hire, a safe driving record, and eligibility for agency insurance coverage. Applicants must be at least 18, pass qualifying criminal background checks and a pre-employment drug screening, and complete required agency training and annual recertification. Employees are also subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug testing under the agency policy.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 18 years of age.
Basic fluency in oral and written English.
Computer experience and comfort navigating technology.
Pass qualifying criminal background checks, including motor vehicle driving records.
Pass a pre-employment drug screening; employees are subject to random and reasonable-suspicion testing under the agency’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.
Valid driver’s license and evidence of insurability upon hire; must have a safe driving record and be eligible for agency insurance coverage.
Successfully complete required agency training within designated time frames and complete annual recertification.
Must be able to pass medication training and testing.
Must be able to perform CPR and Safety-Care.
Ability to assist with personal hygiene, health duties, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and transfers or repositioning of individuals.
Ability to work independently, sometimes alone, and adapt to changing schedules, locations, and program needs.
Ability to respond to challenging behaviors and emergency situations, including verbal or physical aggression and self-injury.

Responsibilities

Provide person-centered support that promotes independence, dignity, choice, safety, and community participation.
Assist individuals with daily living skills, including personal hygiene, health needs, cooking and eating, cleaning, laundry, appointments, activities, and work.
Support individuals with money skills, budgeting, and accessing or applying for resources.
Administer and inventory medications in accordance with agency policy after completing required medication training and testing.
Monitor and document safety, medical, dietary, and behavioral needs or concerns, and notify the appropriate people.
Implement individual support plans, protocols, objectives, goals, Positive Behavior Support Plans, and rights restrictions, and complete required documentation.
Respond constructively to medical or behavioral emergencies and report alleged abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or exploitation immediately according to agency policy.
Support community involvement, relationships, social interaction, volunteering, employment, education, and activities chosen by the individuals served.
Maintain clean, organized day service and transition classroom areas and develop varied schedules that support functional, prevocational, social, and employment skills.
Provide ongoing job coaching as directed by the supervisor and support Special Olympics as directed by the supervisor.
Adapt training and teaching materials to individual learning needs and promote skill development and independence.
Arrange transportation to and from work, appointments, shopping, and leisure activities as needed.
Track day services attendance and participation areas, such as Community Life Engagement, Prevocational, and Supported Employment.
Inventory classroom supplies and submit purchase requests to the Director of Services as needed.
Maintain confidentiality of information and records and advocate for the rights and privacy of individuals supported.
Maintain professional conduct, attend assigned meetings and training, communicate concerns promptly, and collaborate with coworkers and supervisors.
Maintain accurate financial records and documentation, follow agency policies and applicable regulations, and work independently when required.
Provide emergency coverage and on-call relief when needed or assigned; cross-train at multiple sites if required.
Monitor and report maintenance or repair concerns involving facilities or agency vehicles.
Perform cleaning and upkeep duties inside and outside, including tasks such as shoveling snow and gardening.