SLS Direct Support Professional

Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Inc•Slidell, LA

12d

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional provides personal care and other supports to people with disabilities, older adults, or people with chronic illness. The goal is to support their well-being and develop the skills needed to live independently. Services are provided primarily in the residences of the people served and may include assistance and training with activities of daily living, personal care, and job-related supports. The role also requires completing training, timesheets, progress notes, service delivery logs, and other documentation for billing and licensing. The position requires respectful, professional support; timely completion of required training; implementation of each person’s Individual Service Plan or Comprehensive Plan of Care; accurate documentation; and compliance with licensing requirements and agency policies. Support may include protective supervision, help with daily and instrumental activities, medication monitoring and administration after nurse-provided training, and implementation of behavior plans. The employee also communicates with service facilitators, program staff, the SLS nurse, and consumers’ families. Driving consumers to work, medical appointments, or social activities may be required.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old when an offer of employment is made.
Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, current Louisiana automobile insurance and registration, and a safe, operational vehicle with temperature regulation if required to transport consumers; documentation must remain current and on file with Human Resources.
Must have a smartphone or other smart device and a data plan.
Must pass required compliance checks and criminal history investigation, including checks for offenses described in R.S. 40:1300.53.
A legally responsible relative may not serve as the paid direct service worker for a family member; this includes a spouse, curator, tutor, legal guardian, or designated personal representative.
Must meet the physical demands of the role, including sitting, standing, climbing, pushing, bending, squatting, lifting, and pulling, and may need to provide mobility assistance to consumers weighing up to 300 pounds.

Nice To Haves

A high school diploma or GED from an accredited school is preferred.
Training in human services, such as Home Health Aid, Certified Nursing Assistant, or Certified Medical Assistant, is strongly preferred.
Documented, verifiable experience providing direct care services to older adults and/or people with disabilities is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate empathy and professionalism toward people with disabilities and older adults, and maturity in handling the demands of the job.
Complete orientation, annual, and mandatory training on time, including training such as CPR, medication administration, and CPOC as directed by the nurse and facilitator.
Assist with developing and implementing consumers’ Individual Service Plans or Comprehensive Plans of Care.
Provide direct care in accordance with each consumer’s plan, including protective supervision and assistance with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing, transferring, and toileting.
Assist with instrumental activities of daily living, including housekeeping, food preparation and storage, laundry, and transportation.
Monitor and administer medication after receiving training from a nurse.
Implement behavior plans to support people with identified target behaviors.
Complete and submit required documentation legibly, accurately, and within approved timelines.
Notify Supported Living Services of critical incidents involving consumers or staff and prepare appropriate incident reports.
Follow applicable licensing requirements and agency and Supported Living Services policies and procedures, including initial and annual training requirements.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Drive consumers to work, medical appointments, and social activities when required.
Maintain routine communication with facilitators, the staffing coordinator, the assistant and program director, the SLS nurse, and consumers’ families.