DSP OPWDD - Housing Services
About The Position
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) works alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them achieve personal outcomes. The role supports individuals in developing daily living and decision-making skills, while promoting their health and safety. It requires English proficiency sufficient to complete training, understand and follow support plans, communicate with care teams and providers, document services and client information, and follow health and safety standards. The position is performed in person. Agency drivers are required to travel in an agency vehicle. Residential duties may include personal care, companionship, housekeeping, errands, and meal planning or preparation. Training will be provided as needed. FREE may change duties and responsibilities, and offers reasonable accommodations for employees to perform essential functions when accommodations do not cause undue hardship.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Valid driver's license and ability to satisfy agency criteria for drivers.
- Functional proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Proficient writing skills, including basic grammar and spelling.
- Ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keep others informed, and anticipate needs.
- Efficiency, strong organization, and excellent communication skills.
- Ability to sit, walk, and stand for prolonged periods of at least 8 hours; communicate verbally and in writing; reach with hands and arms; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or stand on a stool as needed; and lift 50 pounds at a time.
Nice To Haves
- Experience performing related job duties.
- Proficient computer skills.
Responsibilities
- Help people identify and achieve personal life goals.
- Advocate with the people supported in a variety of situations.
- Teach people supported new life skills.
- Partner with people supported to promote health and safety.
- Help people overcome barriers to building and maintaining relationships and valued social roles.
- Work with people supported and the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that support personal goals.
- Provide positive behavior support as needed.
- Prevent, recognize, and report abuse.
- Accurately document service provision, daily notes, and other required information.
- Promote and support community involvement.
- Transport clients outside the home, including to medical appointments and outings, using a motor vehicle.
- Perform other healthcare-related tasks as needed.
- Complete and process required paper and electronic documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with quality and compliance standards.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- In residential settings, administer bedside or personal care as needed (OPWDD only), and assist with personal care and hygiene as needed.
- Provide companionship and personal care, or help individuals adjust to new lifestyles, during incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence.
- Perform housekeeping, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes or dishes, and running errands.
- Plan, shop for, or prepare nutritious meals, or assist individuals with these tasks.
- Communicate respectfully with people supported, supervisors, team members, and community members.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FREE policies.
- Meet safety training requirements, follow safety policies, report unsafe conditions, and help prevent accidents and health or safety risks.
- Meet job requirements for participating in or delivering training.
- Follow FREE's ethical standards, Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and applicable laws and regulations.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
