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

ASSOCIATION FOR INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT • Aurora, IL

5d • $20 - $20

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 such as recreation, leisure, and activities of daily living; protecting clients’ rights, dignity, and privacy; and maintaining a clean and safe environment. DSPs may support clients with maladaptive behaviors or intensive care needs, including toileting, bathing, special diets, and personal or enteral feeding. The position is assigned to a primary location but may require work at other sites based on program needs.

The DSP works with clients, colleagues, and outside agencies; follows program procedures and applicable regulations; supports clients’ self-care, health, safety, and community participation; and completes documentation, meetings, trainings, and other assigned duties. The role may include independent building coverage and transportation of clients in a personal or agency vehicle. Schedules and locations may change according to client and program needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience working with developmentally disabled adults is preferred.
• Must be able to climb stairs daily and have no medical restrictions that would prohibit implementing lifts or transfers or behavioral programs.
• Must be able to push, pull, reach, stoop or bend, and use a step stool daily; perform housekeeping tasks; and assist clients with independent living skills.
• Must be able to physically assist clients, including helping them get in and out of a van, bathtub, shower, or bed, and implement behavior support strategies and respond to behavioral emergencies.
• Must be able to walk and stand for significant periods daily.
• Must be able to lift or move up to 50 pounds to assist with a two-person lift or use adaptive equipment.
• Must pass the S-TOFHLA literacy test.
• Must complete required DSP and medication-administration training, including CPR, First Aid, Infection Control, OIG Rule 50, and CPI.
• Must maintain medication-administration authorization and complete additional on-the-job certification for enteral nutrition tasks.
• Must maintain enteral nutrition certification by following policies and performing feeding, medication administration, pump operation, flushing, and dressing care at least twice per month.
• Must have and maintain a valid Illinois driver’s license, meet and maintain IDOT Approved Driver Status, and use a personal automobile with the minimum automobile liability insurance specified by the Association’s personnel policy when required to transport clients.
• Must have access to a personal cell phone capable of using downloaded applications for secure messaging.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must attend scheduled in-service trainings.
• Schedule may include evening, weekend, overnight, and holiday hours, and may change according to client and program needs.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team with clients, staff, and outside agencies.
• Implement assigned programs from the Individual Plan or Implementation Strategy and document services according to program procedures.
• Follow agency and program rules and regulations, and promptly report concerns or issues to the immediate supervisor.
• Plan and prepare meals using dietician-provided menus and recipes, incorporating client input and assistance and following client diet requirements.
• Assist clients with self-care, including toileting, changing soiled garments, bathing, grooming, shaving, and cleaning glasses and adaptive equipment.
• Obtain medication-administration authorization at a minimum of one location and maintain authorization through annual training, policy compliance, and prevention of medication errors.
• Maintain safe conditions inside and outside the home, report safety concerns, submit requests for non-urgent repairs, support required safety drills and monitoring, and help clients participate in upkeep of their homes.
• Maintain clean and sanitary assigned buildings and vehicles, including surface, deep, and sanitizing cleaning tasks.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies in accordance with program and agency policies and procedures.
• Transport clients in a personal or agency vehicle for work, shopping, appointments, social events, and other needs.
• Know clients’ medical conditions and monitor and relay information to and from medical appointments.
• Attend scheduled meetings, shifts, and trainings, and assist with orientation and training of new staff.
• Participate in planning and implementing community and in-house activities.
• Conduct monthly client input meetings, facilitate Home and Community Based Settings Rules training activities, and document participation in assigned client meetings.
• Follow verbal and written directions and complete responsibilities with minimal supervision; provide independent building coverage when required.
• Work scheduled hours at various locations as determined by client and program needs.
• Complete required training by assigned due dates and maintain written documentation required for licensing and program requirements.
• Apply Home and Community Based Settings Rules principles in interactions with clients, families, and stakeholders, and follow applicable regulations.
• Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality and perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 21 days of paid time off plus 10 paid holidays.
• Paid training.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 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