Direct Support Professional

Advantage Behavioral Health Systems • Monroe, GA

13d • $15 - $17 • Onsite

About The Position

Under supervision, assists with daily living activities at the person's home, in a daytime non-residential facility or a residential facility. Provides training of basic personal and social skills, simple academics, or work skills to consumers/students in a state school, hospital, juvenile detention facility, residence, group home, workshop, or supported employment environment.

Requirements

• DSP 1: High school diploma or GED AND any combination of training and experience, which would have enabled the applicant to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• DSP 2: One year experience providing social or direct care services to groups of special needs individuals in a human service setting OR associate degree in a related field OR One year experience at the lower level or position equivalent
• DSP 3: Two years’ experience providing social or direct care services to groups of special needs individuals in a human service setting OR associate degree in a related field and one year of related experience OR bachelor’s degree in a related field OR One year experience at the lower level or position equivalent
• Ability to observe and monitor participants’ behavior.
• Ability to assist and supervise participants with daily living activities.
• Ability to develop individualized plans.
• Ability to provide training and/or orientation services to participants.
• Ability to participate in supportive guidance, staff supervision sessions, program planning meetings, consumer staffing’s and service training.
• Ability to complete evaluations to determine functional level of participants.
• Ability to complete evaluations to determine functional level of participants.

Nice To Haves

• Some positions may require a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Arranges for needed medical care and provides needed services to assure that medical care is obtained
• Vacuums, sweeps, mops, cleans bathrooms, dusts, cleans kitchens, and performs other housecleaning chores for incapacitated persons or overburdened caretakers.
• Trains clients in basic housecleaning/laundry skills.
• Assists clients in shopping for food, household supplies, and clothing.
• Trains clients in shopping skills noting differences in quantity, quality and price.
• Plans budget with clients.
• Helps clients pay bills and determine what are the most essential purchases.
• Encourages clients to provide nutritious meals and instructs in meal planning.
• Assists persons with diet restrictions to plan and prepare food within diet guidelines.
• Prepares meals when clients cannot do so.
• Assists client in applying for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and other appropriate community resources.
• Provides emotional support, as needed, to families in crisis and under chronic stress.
• Assists in presentation of educational group lectures related to appropriate topics
• Assists clients in seeking dependable transportation outside the agency.
• Assures that all persons riding in the vehicle are in seat belts.
• Provides safe transportation for clients, when needed, by following all laws regarding vehicle safety (locally and out of town).
• Assists with the development of an individual service/treatment plan for each assigned consumer/student
• Listens and talks with clients to obtain information about their needs, improve their self-esteem, and help combat loneliness.
• Assists clients with personal grooming, selecting clothing to wear, or other personal assistance as needed.
• Reads and writes letters and assists with other routine personal business as needed.
• Instructs family members on care for the disabled client.
• Encourages recreational activities that enhance client self-worth.
• Cares for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, family disruption or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care, and help in adjusting to new lifestyles
• Observes and reports signs and symptoms of illness to case manager.
• Schedules appointments for needed medical treatment.
• Accompanies client to doctors, obtains doctor's instructions and helps clients to understand and follow doctor's instructions.
• Provides caregiver with instructions as appropriate.
• Assists clients in obtaining an adequate supply of prescriptions.
• Develops a safe method to assist client in taking proper dosages of medication.
• Assists in planning and preparing a prescribed diet.
• Counsels and advises clients on behavioral problems, daily decision-making, and the resolution of minor problems
• Maintains confidentiality of client records.
• Completes all forms and narratives in accordance with agency policies.
• Maintains case records accurately and in proper order.
• Maintains a tickler file for upcoming reviews and deadlines.
• Maintains accurate personal records, e.g., travel, leave, time sheets, etc.
• Provides verbal or written feedback to caseworker/supervisory staff regarding assignments.
• Provides verbal or written feedback to caseworker/supervisory staff regarding assignments and gives immediate feedback if situation warrants immediate casework attention.
• Instructs and advises clients/residents on daily living skills in one-on-one or group instruction
• Attends unit meetings and supervisory conferences as scheduled to stay up to date with changes in policies and programs.
• Attends internal and external educational programs and meetings as available for continuing education in improving job performance.
• Reads and evaluates relevant literature, manual transmittals, county letters, and memorandums.
• Observes and monitors client behavior
• Participates in case reviews, consulting with the team to evaluate the client's needs and plan for continuing services
• Performs housekeeping duties, such as cleaning, washing clothes and dishes, and running errands
• Plans, shops for, and prepares meals, including special diets, and assists families in planning, shopping for, and preparing nutritious meals
• Prepares and maintains records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor
• Provides transportation for clients/residents to appointments and activities

What This Job Offers

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