106-03 Direct Support Professional

Venture Community Services Inc•Sturbridge, MA

2d•$18 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional provides daily care, supervision, and safety for developmentally disabled individuals in residential and community settings. The role implements Individual Support Plans and Behavioral Management Plans, follows assignments from the Residential House Manager, and may report to the Assistant Residential House Manager when the Residential House Manager is absent. The position is compensated hourly. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for 35 hours per week; the role may also require flexible coverage, including weekends, holidays, emergencies, and overnight duties. The position supports individuals with health, personal care, medication, meal preparation, finances, appointments, community participation, leisure activities, and advocacy. It maintains records and daily documentation, performs housekeeping, and contributes to program planning. Depending on assignment, staff may serve as an Advocate, Safety Officer, or Healthy Eating Officer. The role requires maintaining specified certifications and completing agency orientation and training.

Requirements

High school degree or GED.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Valid driver’s license.
Must be available by telephone for daily contact.
Maintain First Aid, CPR, MAP, Safety Care, and Applied Non-Violence certifications.
Complete agency orientation and required training.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including coverage for weekends, holidays, program emergencies, and overnight duties.
Ability to advocate for and establish rapport with individuals with disabilities, families, coworkers, and service providers.

Nice To Haves

Daily use of a car on site is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Monitor individuals’ health and safety and safely evacuate them during fires or disasters.
Physically assist individuals with transfers, carries, bathing, personal hygiene, and emergency escort or restraint when needed.
Educate, supervise, and monitor individuals’ self-medication programs.
Train individuals in goals and objectives specified in Individual Support Plans and behavioral plans.
Schedule and assist with transportation to medical appointments.
Educate and assist individuals with meal preparation, food shopping, personal finances, banking, purchasing, and recordkeeping.
Transport, accompany, educate, and supervise individuals at or traveling to their place of worship.
Maintain records and document daily data.
Perform daily housekeeping and cleaning, including laundry, dishes, mopping, sweeping, snow shoveling, and reporting repair and maintenance needs.
Provide overnight coverage and perform assigned duties for overnight awake or asleep staff.
Write, evaluate, and assess individuals for programmatic planning.
Work a flexible schedule to meet program coverage needs, including weekends, holidays, emergencies, and overnight coverage.
Implement agency policies and procedures, maintain confidentiality, and manage multiple priorities with a positive demeanor.
Coordinate and assist with leisure-time planning and perform individual advocacy duties.
Support individuals at the end of life in accordance with palliative-care and hospice-based supports and services.
Remain on duty after scheduled hours if not relieved by incoming staff.
Attend weekly staff meetings and participate verbally and in writing; part-time staff must attend mandatory training instead of staff meetings.
For Advocate assignments: prepare advocacy agendas, lead meeting discussions about the individual, prepare end-of-month data and documentation, maintain complete and orderly records, and help ensure medical, dental, personal, and social needs are met.
For Safety Officer assignments: inspect the home, van, and grounds using a safety checklist; report findings; attend quarterly Safety Committee meetings; share general and seasonal safety information; and promote safety and best practices.
For Healthy Eating Officer assignments: follow agency nutrition policies and training, participate in Food for Health training, prepare weekly menus that meet dietary orders and needs, lead healthy-eating discussions, maintain shopping lists and healthy pantry/freezer supplies, and model healthy eating practices.
Perform other related duties as requested and in accordance with agency policy; review weekly staff meeting notes and provide agenda input.
Maintain First Aid, CPR, MAP, Safety Care, and Applied Non-Violence certifications, and complete agency orientation and required training.
Help ensure program standards and applicable agency and Department of Developmental Services requirements are met, and avoid actions that jeopardize individuals’ care and safety.
Build rapport with and advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, coworkers, and service providers.