Direct Support Professional - Full Time - Residential - Corry

Barber National Institute • Corry, PA

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) role is a full-time position within a residential setting. The primary focus is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of individuals with intellectual disabilities, promoting their choice and supporting the principles of Everyday Lives. This role involves assisting individuals in meeting their needs and desires as outlined in their Individual Service Plans (ISP), ensuring activities are safe and appropriate, and encouraging family and advocate participation. The DSP is expected to treat each individual with dignity and respect, assisting them in all aspects of personal well-being and programmatic objectives, including daily living tasks, personal hygiene, and leisure activities. Confidentiality of individual information is paramount. The DSP will also participate in agency committees, maintain knowledge of and adhere to all policies and procedures of the Barber National Institute and the Residential Services Division, and immediately report any suspected abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. This role also involves ensuring nutritional meal plans are followed, maintaining a home-like atmosphere, completing assessments of individual strengths and needs, and assisting in the development and monitoring of Individual Support Plans. The DSP will collaborate with program staff on daily routines, present a professional image, and assist in developing positive working relationships with individuals, families, staff, and external agencies. They will also be involved in the orientation and mentoring of new employees, attending staff meetings, and completing all required documentation accurately and on time. The role includes active participation in an individual's employment outcomes and goals, assisting them in learning about and accessing the local community, and encouraging community integration. The DSP will assist in completing and monitoring written reports, reporting medical concerns to the agency nurse or designee, and ensuring proper medication administration and documentation procedures are followed. This includes medication counts, secure storage, and assisting with medication pick-ups. The DSP must demonstrate knowledge of fire and safety emergency procedures, conduct and document fire drills, and assist in maintaining the cleanliness and maintenance of the residential facility. Equipment and supplies must be properly utilized and cared for, and bi-annual inventories of individual possessions must be completed. A minimum of twenty-four (24) hours of in-service training per training year is required, along with maintaining certifications in Medication Administration, CPR, and First Aid. Specific clearances are required before working with individuals under 18, with updated clearances needed every 60 months. In the absence of the Residential Manager, the DSP may assist with day-to-day operations, including budget management, individual cash and trust accounts, and fiscal accountability. This includes ensuring itemized receipts for purchases and adherence to established policies.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• 1 year experience preferred but not required in working with adults and/or children with an intellectual disability.
• Applicants must have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license
• must be eligible for insurance under the Barber National Institute.
• Upon hire, the applicant must successfully complete Medications Administration Training, CPR and First Aid Certification.
• All applicants must obtain Act 33 and 34 Clearances.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Nice To Haves

• 1 year experience preferred but not required in working with adults and/or children with an intellectual disability.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and ensures the health and safety of consumers to the maximum extent possible.
• Responsible to promote choice of the individuals served and to support the principles of Everyday Lives.
• Ensures that the individual’s needs and desires are met per their Individual Service Plan (ISP) and that activities provided are safe and appropriate.
• Assist in the implementation of ISP that has specific measurable objectives for each individual in accordance with person centered planning.
• Encourage family and advocate participation in the development and implementation of the ISP.
• Treat each individual with consideration, respect and full recognition of his/her dignity and individuality, including the right to privacy, care of personal needs and active treatment.
• Assist the individual in all activities related to the individual’s personal well-being and programmatic objectives and to implement them to the fullest extent possible i.e. individual’s programming, laundry, clothing needs, personal hygiene, physical health and meaningful structured leisure-time activities.
• Responsible to assure that any information concerning any individual remains confidential within the guidelines of the agency and regulatory mandates.
• Responsible to participate as an active member on various in-house committees as requested by the Program Specialist, Manager of Residential Services, the Associate Director and/or the Director.
• Responsible to read, review, maintain a working knowledge of, and adhere to the policies, procedures, and requirements established for the Barber National Institute, the Residential Services Division and the Chapter 6400, Department of Public Welfare Regulations governing the home.
• Responsible to immediately notify a supervisor of any suspected abuse, neglect, mistreatment of the individual, or any other possible reportable incident, in accord with the Incident Management guidelines and principles.
• Responsible to assure that weekly menus are followed and in assuring that persons residing in the home are involved in individual choice and that meals are nutritionally sound and balanced.
• Responsible to maintain a home-like atmosphere while working with the individuals.
• Responsible to complete the assessment of individual strengths/areas of need as they relate to the adaptive behaviors required for independence, as directed through the Program Specialist.
• Responsible to design, develop, implement and monitor the initial/annual Individual Support Plan, including monthly/quarterly progress reviews.
• Responsible to assist in the development and implementation, in conjunction with other program staff, daily activity routines encompassing programming; personal hygiene; and recreation and leisure activities; with consideration of each individual’s choice.
• Responsible to present a professional image as well as promote positive work attitudes and work environment.
• Responsible to assist the Residential Manager in the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with individuals involved in the Residential Services Program; parents, guardians and/or care giver; Residential Service line staff; inter-agency support personnel, as well as other service agencies and the general public, in an effort to further the goals and objectives established for each individual, as well as to promote person-centered planning and inclusion of the individual into their local community.
• Responsible to assist in the initial orientation of all new employees at the home and the mentoring of staff ongoing.
• Responsible to attend all staff meetings related to behavior, diagnosis, treatment, progress, etc. as well as any other meetings and/or seminars as directed by the program specialist, associate directors and/or the director. Said meetings may be during hours other that those included in the regular work week.
• Responsible to complete as needed all assigned documentation per the individual’s Individual Service Plan as well as all work instructions requirements and other documentation as assigned.
• Ensure that a supervisor is notified immediately if there is a concern related to the completion of any need documentation.
• Responsible to attend and participate in monthly staff meetings with the program specialist.
• Responsible to attend regular meetings as appropriate with support service personnel for the purpose of discussion/review of individual program development, program progress and/or any other pertinent topic.
• Responsible to become an active participant in each individual’s employment outcomes and goals. This includes helping the support team and individual identify areas of employment interest, creating goals and outcomes to support those interest areas, and implementing residential supports to assure implementation.
• Responsible to assist each individual, with respect to learning about the local community and methods to access it.
• Responsible, in conjunction with the Residential Manager, to encourage and enable each individual to become integral members of their community. This includes; working with each individual to determine areas of community based interest, creating goals and outcomes to support each individual’s plan for community integration, working to schedule and carry out community integration sessions and continuing to encourage each individual to expand their level of interest in community based events.
• Responsible to assist the Residential Manager in the completion/monitoring, when applicable, all written reports prior to their submission to the program specialist as delegated by the Residential Manager.
• Responsible for the immediate reporting to the agency nurse or designee (Program Supervisor if on-call) of any medical concerns and all related documentation.
• Responsible to assure that proper procedures are followed regarding administration and documentation of medications.
• Responsible to assist in picking up or accepting medication for individuals on designated days, as well as when any change in medication orders are warranted.
• Responsible to assist in the completion of medication counts on a regular basis as per the Residential Services Line Medications Administration Policies and Procedures.
• Responsible to assure that all medications are kept locked in proper storage area at all times other than during administration following established procedures.
• Responsible to demonstrate a working knowledge related to: fire and safety emergency evacuation procedures; emergency equipment; conducting and documenting monthly fire drills, documenting individual’s reaction to the fire drill.
• Responsible to assist the Residential Manager in assuring the completion of interior and exterior cleaning of the Residential Services facility i.e., grass/snow and reporting maintenance concerns accurately and in a timely manner.
• Responsible to assure that equipment and supplies are properly utilized and cared for.
• Responsible to complete bi-annual inventory of possessions for each individual within the home.
• Responsible for the completion of a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours for in-service training per training year at least 6 per quarter, (July 1st to June 30th), including attendance at all one-time training programs, all annual mandatory training programs, and all optional programs, as designated by Chapter 6400 Regulations, the Program Specialist, Manager of Residential Services, Associate Directors and/or the Director.
• Responsible to remain certified in Medications Administration, CPR and First Aid.
• Prior to working with program participants under the age of 18, responsible to produce original copies of current PA Criminal History Record Checks, PA State Child Abuse Clearance, and a Department of Human Services Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Record. Updated original clearances must be provided to the Human Resources department every 60 months.
• Responsible to assist, in the absence of Residential Manager, in the management related to the day-to-day operation of the Residential Services Line facility including facility food/activity budget; facility individual cash accounts; individual trust accounts; and the accurate and appropriate documentation and reconciliation.
• Accountable to established food budget procedures.
• Responsible to assist the Residential Manager, when applicable in assuring that all items purchased have receipts that are itemized, have name of store and the date of purchase.
• Responsible to assist the Residential Manager in assuring that food purchased is appropriate and used for the individuals to maintain well balanced nutritional meals.
• Responsible to adhere to established policies, procedures and guidelines related to fiscal accountability within the Residential Service Line programs/services.
• Responsible to assist the Residential Manager when applicable to maintain and balance individuals’ personal accounts and assure receipts are obtained for purchases made.
• Responsible for, in the absence of the Residential Manager, appropriate submission of purchase orders, trust requests, the purchase of items and return of the receipts within time lines established.
• Completes other duties as assigned by the supervisory personnel or designee, which are deemed to be in the best interests for the welfare of the individuals and operation of the facility.
• Understands that a staff member may be transferred within the facilities whenever deemed necessary for the betterment of the program and/or changes in government regulations.
• Be aware that duties may be added or deleted from the position as deemed necessary by Director.
• Understand that added or irregular hours may be required due to government agencies or funding source requests for special assignments.
• Understand that other duties and assignments may be added or deleted as necessary due to funding requirements or regulations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED