Direct Support Professional (Full-Time Day Shift – 6am-4pm)

GIL Foundation • Cheshire, CT

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The primary Direct Support Professional caregiver is responsible for daily care, instruction, and assistance for individuals with special needs living in a GIL-operated community residence. Caregivers also provide for and protect each individual’s rights, safety, and personal property. This job is considered a safety-sensitive position due to the nature of caring for high-risk, disabled individuals in their home.

Requirements

• Must be able to speak, see, focus, and hear
• Frequently required to sit, walk, stand, bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, and reach
• Must have fine manipulation ability of both hands
• Occasionally to frequently, lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and be able to maneuver a manual wheelchair
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move residents of any weight, with assistance of a Hoyer lift or other protective equipment, and use all equipment effectively
• Must be able to handle highly stressful situations on a day-to-day basis

Nice To Haves

• Assisting in the orientation and mentoring of new employees to the residential program

Responsibilities

• Provide individuals care and treatment for maintaining health and wellness
• Promote and encourage individuals to make informed personal choices and decisions in life
• Promote and encourage the development of healthy relationships for the individuals served
• Medication administration, documentation, and monitoring for treatment and effect
• Assisting individuals with adaptive services, devices, special equipment, and therapies
• Assisting individuals with daily routines and living skills – includes personal care and hygiene
• Completing written documentation, daily logs, charts, and other required paperwork
• Completing assignments for household management, maintenance, and housekeeping tasks
• Assisting individuals in program facilitation, planning, teaching strategies, and activities
• Recreation and activity facilitation and planning with the individuals – in house
• Recreation and activity facilitation and planning with the individuals – in community
• Provide crisis management & intervention for medical needs, behaviors, and other challenges
• Communication and interaction with individuals and families being served
• Communication and interaction with co-workers in a home-like working environment
• Meal planning and preparation in accordance with dietary guidelines
• Participate in all staff training, meetings, and in-service requirements
• Assisting individuals with shopping and purchasing needs for personal & house supplies
• Assisting individuals with money management, documentation, and financial responsibilities
• Provide transportation – includes driving the vehicle and securing individuals safely
• Assisting in the orientation and mentoring of new employees to the residential program
• Conducting and participating in fire & safety drills, evacuation, and precautionary exercises
• Having to lift, stabilize, and transfer individuals during activities of daily living
• Working independently, and at times with minimal supervision while on assignment
• Working with multiple people, and at times with close supervision while on assignment
• Working in an environment where at times it may be loud, noisy, and exciting
• Working in an environment where at times it may be quiet, serene, and unexciting
• Working in the facility and/or in the community, in multiple settings, and going on outings
• Embrace a higher standard of commitment to provide community residential care to individuals with special needs
• Arrive on time and prepared for each scheduled shift in order to relieve other trained staff on duty
• Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with being a positive role model for the individuals served, co-workers, and the community at large, including appropriate dress and conversation, appropriate manners and conduct, honor and respect for authority, and value and respect for co-workers
• Promote and encourage personal expression, including likes and dislikes, by providing supports and services that are culturally competent – valuing diversity, choice, and personal expression
• Make provision for the safeguarding & protection of individuals’ personal property and rights
• Make provision for the systematic maintenance, collection, completion, and submission of all documentation, program data, incident reports, financial documents, medication administration reporting, time sheets, and all other required reporting within a timely manner
• Report all cases of infectious disease and occupational exposure to the proper agents/authorities
• Report all cases of Class A & B felony charges, arrests, and convictions to GIL administration to be relayed to the appropriate state departments and authorities
• Exhibit a positive mental and emotional attitude, demonstrating willingness to learn and a desire to serve individuals with special needs
• Perform assignments of a physical nature, including lifting and transferring heavy weight (at times in excess of 100 pounds), with or without adaptive equipment or staff assistance
• Perform any and all other job-related duties as required and/or designated by management

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed