Direct Support Professional - 11 Woodlands

Woods Services•Middletown Township, PA

89d

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports clients in residential and/or day program settings by contributing to the therapeutic community and providing care, supervision, advocacy, and instruction. The role includes maintaining clients’ safety and welfare, helping them build independence in daily living and social skills, and supporting their individual treatment and educational goals. The position also contributes to a safe, respectful, and homelike environment; implements therapeutic and behavior-management strategies; documents client-related information; and works with clients, families, and interdisciplinary staff. The position may involve driving a program vehicle, accompanying clients to appointments and activities, supporting day-program instruction, and communicating shift instructions. Employees must meet applicable age, health-screening, attendance, training, and physical-capability requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to lift at least 50 pounds; be agile; pursue clients on foot; physically restrain; bend, squat, stretch, reach, push up, and stand for several hours at a time.
Ability to read, write, enter dates, follow verbal and written directions, prepare written reports, and complete forms in English.
Ability to communicate verbally in English and direct or respond to clients’ needs.
Ability to verbally communicate emergency information over the telephone.
Meet the applicable minimum age requirement: age 21 to work in a 3800-licensed building; in MW, age 18 to work in a 6400-licensed building; and age 21 to work on the third shift.
Complete required training annually: 40 hours for 3800-licensed homes or 24 hours for 6400-licensed homes.
Obtain required health screenings and testing as required by regulatory agencies.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in a residential care facility or equivalent is preferred.
For driving duties: be at least 21 years old, provide proof of a valid driver’s license, and successfully complete the Woods Services driver training program.

Responsibilities

Understand and apply Woods’ Vision, Mission, and Core Values in all aspects of the role.
Care for and supervise assigned clients in residential and/or day program settings, establishing supportive relationships and maintaining a safe, warm, homelike environment.
Maintain clients’ personal spaces and possessions, and report deficiencies that may violate applicable regulations or standards.
Follow Woods’ policies and procedures and maintain positive working relationships with supervisors, support staff, peers, and other employees.
Participate in and contribute to the therapeutic community and programmatic components.
Supervise clients in accordance with their needs, treatment goals, and Woods’ Level of Supervision policy; ensure their safety, welfare, and whereabouts.
Advocate for clients’ protection from abuse and mistreatment; promptly report suspected incidents and cooperate with investigations.
Assist and instruct clients in daily living skills, including dressing, washing, feeding, hygiene, toileting, social interaction, and effective communication.
Relate respectfully to clients and family members while recognizing individual cognitive, developmental, social, familial, religious, cultural, and ethnic differences.
Model mature and appropriate behavior, problem solving, coping, initiative, active listening, social skills, punctuality, grooming, and acceptance of direction.
Participate in the Interdisciplinary Team and recommend development or implementation of ISPs/IHPs and IEPs for assigned clients.
Implement crisis stabilization and emergency response procedures as directed and in accordance with policy.
Apply SMART and other therapeutic principles and skills, including de-escalation, counseling, conflict resolution, and debriefing; use safety and restraint procedures in accordance with policy and training.
Implement behavior-management and other therapeutic strategies as directed by program clinicians and specialists.
Serve and assist clients at meals, use prescribed adaptive equipment, and provide close supervision and quality interactions.
Identify and promptly report safety concerns; teach and practice safety protocols with clients to support independence.
Make beds, sort laundry, and maintain orderly personal belongings and environments for assigned clients.
Attend required annual in-service training.
Collect data on assigned program goals and document seizures, falls, accidents, injuries, and maladaptive behaviors on appropriate forms.
Maintain confidentiality of clients and their families or guardians.
Drive a program van or car when requested, provided driver eligibility requirements are met and Woods driver training is completed.
Plan and implement individual and group self-help and leisure activities suited to clients’ needs.
Chaperone clients to assigned on- and off-campus medical appointments, trips, and other activities.
Support day-program supervision, academic and vocational activities, individualized instruction, and group behavior management as directed by the teacher or instructor.
Relay daily written and verbal instructions to unit personnel on the succeeding shift.
Obtain required health screenings and testing through the Employee Health office.
Maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality on the assigned shift.
Perform other duties as assigned.