Direct Support Professional-Sat and Sun 8a-4p (Personal Support)

Chimes•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional works in the residence of a person served, providing personal support and actively engaging with them at home and in the community. The role supports adults with developmental disabilities in pursuing their individual goals, developing independent living skills, and reaching their potential. The employee follows individual plans, approved behavior plans, and intervention strategies, and helps ensure the home reflects each person’s preferences and personality. The position includes assisting with personal care, household tasks, meals, medication administration, transportation, appointments, community outings, and participation in religious services. The employee monitors safety and well-being, maintains required records, reports concerns to supervisors and medical staff, and handles Agency and personal funds according to policy. The role also involves scheduled meetings, training, collaboration with families and professionals, and adherence to Agency policies. The listed schedule is Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the description also states that the role works a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred; education requirements may vary by state regulations.
Commitment to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record under Agency insurance criteria and policy.
Ability to lift, pull, and push enough weight to assist individuals supported; this may exceed 50 pounds.
Additional related experience and/or education may be substituted for the stated education and experience requirements at the discretion of the Personnel Officer.

Responsibilities

Provide personal support and remain actively engaged with the person served at home and in the community.
Provide supervision and training to adults with developmental disabilities, following individual plans and goals.
Help personalize the residence according to each person’s preferences and personality.
Teach people served to do as much as possible for themselves and refrain from personal activities during work time.
Communicate with day program staff when requested and promptly report concerns about individual needs or house operations to the Community Support Manager.
Use approved behavior plans and intervention strategies to support progress toward goals and objectives.
Act as a positive role model for people served and Agency staff.
Assist people served with independent living skills, including mobility, budgeting, personal hygiene, cleaning, bathing, toileting, nail care, and oral hygiene.
Know the whereabouts of people served at all times during work hours and check rooms at specified times for their safety and well-being.
Attend routine scheduled meetings with the BSS Program Manager or designee.
Follow routine and emergency medical procedures, including those related to CPR, vital signs, positioning, wheelchairs, transfers, assistive devices, splints, dentures, and walkers.
Administer medication accurately and on time in accordance with the Physician Medical Order Form and Medication Administration Record, including three-way checks.
Help maintain a clean and safe home, including cleaning with the person served where appropriate and completing laundry.
Assist with care and maintenance of personal belongings and ensure they are secure and controlled by the person served.
Prepare food according to approved menus, special diets, and food consistencies.
Complete required records and reports, including monthly reports, incident reports, seizure records, program activity logs, and fire drill reports.
Collect data about the progress of people served according to Agency policy.
Transport people served to appointments, activities, and community outings.
Handle Agency and people-served funds responsibly and document transactions according to Agency policy.
Communicate medical concerns to the Registered Nurse and supervisor within the appropriate time frame.
Use approved crisis intervention techniques when people served are in danger of injuring themselves or others.
Know the location of important house records, including fire drills, water temperatures, medical records, and menus.
Attend religious services with the person served.
Contribute to a positive, enthusiastic, responsible, and courteous work and home atmosphere; treat people served with kindness, dignity, and respect.
Use technology to complete specified job duties and attend work regularly according to the assigned schedule and Agency policy.
Participate in in-service training, staff meetings, team meetings as required, and other professional development activities.
Work cooperatively with families, staff, supervisors, administrators, coworkers, people served, community professionals, customers, neighbors, vendors, the public, and Agency volunteers.
Abide by Agency policies and procedures and undertake other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as needed.
Work a flexible schedule that may include nights, weekends, and holidays.