129-11 Direct Support Professional

Venture Community Services Inc • Southbridge, MA

3d • $18 - $19

About The Position

Venture Community Services supports people facing diverse challenges with a workforce focused on independence, empowerment, and opportunity. The Direct Support Professional (DSP) advocates for and supports adults age 22 and over with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to be as active in their lives as possible. Support may include household maintenance, meal preparation, shopping, bathing, toileting, dressing, and teeth brushing. DSPs may also assist with medical appointments and banking, help individuals participate in their communities and attend outings, administer medications, follow Behavior Support Plans and Individual Support Plans and goals, and follow applicable medical guidelines.

DSPs receive paid new-employee orientation and paid CPR/First Aid, PABC, Defensive Driving, and Medication Administration Program (MAP) training, along with program- and person-specific training in the individual’s home. The DSP must be able to safely evacuate individuals from the home in an emergency. Employees must maintain certifications and perform job duties in compliance with agency policies and DDS regulations and policies.

The posting describes this as part-time work with a listed schedule of Sunday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.–11 p.m., Monday 3 p.m.–11 p.m., Tuesday 3 p.m.–10 p.m., and Wednesday noon–11 p.m. It states “Part-Time: 40 hours.” Pay is $17.50–$19.00 per hour, with paid training and a sign-on bonus of $500 for part-time employees or $1,000 for full-time employees.

Requirements

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Have experience working in a residential setting with highly behavioral individuals.
• Demonstrate a commitment to helping people with varying disabilities participate fully in their community and their own lives.
• Have varied interests and personal connections in the local community.
• Demonstrate a conscientious and responsible record through work, volunteer, or school history.
• Be able to work as a creative, engaged, and dedicated team member.
• Speak, read, and write fluent English.
• Be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet program and individual needs, which may include holidays, overnights, or double shifts.
• Be able to safely evacuate individuals from the home in an emergency.
• Maintain certifications and comply with agency policies and DDS regulations and policies.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for and support adults age 22 and over with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to be as active in their lives as possible.
• Assist with household maintenance, meal preparation, shopping, bathing, toileting, dressing, and teeth brushing.
• Assist individuals with medical appointments and banking.
• Support individuals in becoming active members of their community and attend outings with them.
• Administer medications.
• Follow Behavior Support Plans, Individual Support Plans and goals, and applicable medical guidelines.
• Safely evacuate individuals from the home during an emergency.
• Maintain required certifications and carry out job-related duties in compliance with agency policies and DDS regulations and policies.

Benefits

• Sign-on bonus: $500 for part-time employees and $1,000 for full-time employees.
• Company-paid life insurance for full-time employees.
• Health insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Earned paid time off and 40 hours of sick time.
• Employee referral bonus program.
• Tuition remission.
• Paid new-employee orientation and paid CPR/First Aid, PABC, Defensive Driving, MAP, and program- and person-specific training.
• Supportive and encouraging working environment.

What This Job Offers

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