Direct Support Professional
About The Position
Direct Support Professionals provide direct supervision and support to adults with disabilities in home, community, and vocational settings. They address each client's specific needs, teach and provide opportunities, support informed choice, and follow the client's service and support plans. They report to program supervisors. The role includes supporting clients' independence and participation in household, health, community, relationship, communication, educational, and vocational activities. Professionals also support service planning, documentation, assessment, advocacy, crisis intervention, and organizational participation.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old; at least 21 years old for driving positions.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Have some experience providing community supports to people with developmental disabilities.
- Ability to reason and solve problems.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Valid driver's license.
- Automobile insurance.
- Willingness to perform reasonable requests to meet the needs of people served.
- Ability to use computer applications such as word processing and email efficiently.
- Ability to communicate verbally with adults with developmental disabilities to instruct, demonstrate, train, and work cooperatively.
- Ability to stand, sit, bend, lift, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and move intermittently.
- Ability to frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and support adults with disabilities in home, community, and vocational settings, meeting each client's needs and following service and support plans.
- Assist with household management, including meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, decorating, and transportation, to maximize clients' skills, abilities, and independence.
- Contribute knowledge and support to individual service plan development, implementation, and review.
- Promote clients' health and wellness.
- Participate in and act in accordance with the organization's mission, vision, and values.
- Complete organizational documentation requirements efficiently.
- Support clients' self-determination, self-esteem, assertiveness, and decision-making by providing appropriate information and assistance.
- Use formal and informal assessment practices to respond to clients' needs, desires, and interests.
- Advocate for clients and understand challenges relating to human and client rights.
- Help clients identify and access formal and informal community supports and services.
- Support clients in developing friendships and other relationships.
- Use effective communication strategies to build collaborative relationships with clients.
- Apply appropriate crisis prevention, intervention, and resolution techniques.
- Pursue knowledge and information needed to perform job duties.
- Support clients with career- and education-related concerns.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
