Direct Support Professional (CNA/DSP) - Aurora, Illinois

ASSOCIATION FOR INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT • Aurora, IL

1d • $20 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) implements clients’ Individualized Strategies under the direction of a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional. The role includes documenting services provided, such as recreation, leisure, and activities of daily living, while protecting clients’ rights, dignity, and privacy and maintaining a clean, safe environment. DSPs may support clients with maladaptive behaviors and clients who need intensive care, including toileting and bathing, special diets, personal or enteral feeding, and other enhanced support. The DSP is assigned a primary location but may be required to work at other sites according to program needs.

The DSP works collaboratively with clients, coworkers, and outside agencies; follows assigned programs and agency rules; prepares meals according to dietician-written menus and clients’ dietary requirements; and assists with clients’ personal care and daily living needs. The role includes medication administration after authorization and training, maintaining safe and sanitary homes and vehicles, responding to emergencies, transporting clients, and monitoring and communicating information about clients’ medical conditions. DSPs also participate in meetings, trainings, community and in-house activities, client input meetings, and staff orientation. They complete required documentation and training, follow applicable regulations and Home and Community Based Settings Rules, and may provide independent building coverage with responsibility for client safety and supervision.

The position is full-time at Barnes CILA in Aurora, Illinois. The listed schedule is Sunday through Wednesday, 11 p.m. to 9 p.m.; evening, weekend, overnight, and holiday hours may be required, and schedules and work locations may change based on client and program needs. Occasional travel is listed. The hourly pay range is $19.50–$19.50.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license and ability to maintain IDOT Approved Driver Status.
• Use of a personal automobile and the minimum automobile liability insurance required by the Association’s personnel policy; must transport clients in a personal automobile when necessary.
• Access to a personal cell phone capable of using downloaded applications for secure messaging.
• Pass the S-TOFHLA literacy test.
• Complete required DSP and Medication Administration Training, including CPR, First Aid, Infection Control, OIG Rule 50, and CPI.
• Maintain medication administration authorization by following all applicable policies and procedures.
• Complete additional on-the-job certification for enteral nutrition tasks and maintain certification by performing enteral nutrition tasks at least twice per month, including feeding, medication administration, pump operation, flushing, and dressing care.
• Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds to assist with a two-person lift or use adaptive equipment.
• Ability to climb stairs, push, pull, reach, stoop or bend, use a step stool, perform housekeeping, and assist clients with independent living skills.
• Ability to physically assist clients, including transfers into and out of a van, bathtub, shower, or bed, and implement behavioral support strategies and respond to behavioral emergencies.
• Significant daily walking and standing; no medical restrictions that would prohibit implementing lifts or transfers or behavioral programs.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, overnight shifts, and holidays, attend scheduled in-service training, and work at various locations according to client and program needs.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality as defined by program guidelines.

Nice To Haves

• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) or Autism Certificate desired.
• Experience working with developmentally disabled adults preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implement clients’ Individualized Strategies and assigned programs under the direction of a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional.
• Document services provided and maintain written documentation required for licensing and program requirements.
• Work as part of a team with clients, staff, and outside agencies.
• Follow agency and program rules, regulations, and procedures; promptly report concerns to the immediate supervisor.
• Plan and prepare meals according to dietician-written menus, client input, and clients’ dietary requirements.
• Assist clients with personal care, including toileting, changing soiled garments, bathing, grooming, and care of glasses and adaptive equipment.
• Obtain and maintain medication administration authorization, attend annual training, follow applicable procedures, and minimize preventable medication errors.
• Maintain safe conditions and housekeeping inside and outside homes, including reporting hazards, requesting repairs, completing safety drills and monitoring tasks, and supporting clients’ participation in home upkeep.
• Keep assigned buildings and vehicles clean and sanitary, including completing surface, deep, and sanitizing cleaning tasks.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies according to program and agency policies and procedures.
• Transport clients in a personal or agency vehicle to work, shopping, appointments, and social events; monitor and communicate information about clients’ medical conditions.
• Attend scheduled meetings, shifts, and trainings, and assist with the orientation and training of new staff.
• Participate in planning and implementing community and in-house activities.
• Conduct monthly client input meetings and facilitate Home and Community Based Settings Rules training activities and other assigned client meetings; document individual participation.
• Complete assigned work from verbal and written directions with minimal supervision and, when required, provide independent building coverage with responsibility for client safety and supervision.
• Work scheduled hours at locations determined by client and program needs, complete required training by its due date, and maintain attendance and punctuality.
• Apply Home and Community Based Settings Rules principles in interactions with clients, families, and stakeholders, and follow applicable regulations.

Benefits

• 21 days of paid time off plus 10 paid holidays.
• Paid training.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, long-term disability, critical illness, and accident insurance.
• 401(k) with a 3.5% company contribution after one year.

What This Job Offers

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