Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Benchmark Human Services•Bear, DE

About The Position

Benchmark Human Services is seeking Direct Support Professionals for its Bear, Delaware program. The role provides individual supports and services that help people acquire, retain, or improve skills and live as independently as possible. DSPs work as part of an interdisciplinary team and support individuals at home and in the community, promoting health, safety, participation, and personal goals. For DSPs working with individuals who have a Behavior Support Plan, additional duties include supporting plan development and implementation, collecting data, modeling positive behavioral supports, and providing trained crisis de-escalation support.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 18 years of age.
Valid driver's license and proof of auto insurance.
Access to a vehicle in good operating order.
Maintain required certifications and training, including applicable First Aid, CPR, Medication Administration (MTTP), Behavioral Principles and Strategies, OSHA, and abuse and neglect training.
Pass and demonstrate proficiency in techniques taught in the Mandt System.
Complete a background check if selected for hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

Participate in developing and implementing each individual's Individual Plan (IP) with the interdisciplinary team.
Support individuals' health and safety at home and while pursuing community opportunities.
Help individuals acquire, retain, or improve skills identified in their IP.
Assist with daily living skills, including personal care, meal preparation, cleaning, and laundry; maintain a clean and orderly environment.
Participate in scheduled safety drills.
Assist individuals in accessing community resources, shopping, and recreational activities.
Administer medications and follow physicians' orders for medications and treatments; assist the nurse with healthcare needs.
Monitor individuals' general well-being, follow supervisor and nurse instructions, attend healthcare appointments as applicable, and communicate health issues and concerns.
Provide supervisors with relevant information about individuals receiving services.
Implement applicable individual protocols, such as high-risk, dining, seizure management, and positioning plans.
Follow food management policies and assist with preparing nutritious meals according to dining plans.
Complete healthcare and program documentation accurately and on time, including medication administration records, healthcare notes, daily documentation, incident reports, and IP data sheets.
Attend required trainings and meetings.
Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, and reportable incidents to a supervisor or department head.
Provide receipts for individual expenditures and petty cash when applicable.
Maintain required employment documentation, certifications, and training; pass and demonstrate proficiency in Mandt System techniques.
Follow standards that protect the health and safety of individuals and staff.
Safely transport individuals as required.
Plan and participate in age-appropriate recreational, therapeutic, and training activities.
Meet individual service and billable-time goals.
For individuals with a Behavior Support Plan, assist agency staff with plan development, implementation, and monitoring, including coaching on data collection and fidelity checks.
Coordinate with DSPs and supervisors to ensure materials and supplies needed for behavior-plan implementation are available.
Model positive behavioral supports and respond to emergencies as trained.
Complete Functional Behavioral Assessment interviews or observations when assigned by a BCBA or Director.
Provide crisis de-escalation support to teams as required.
Follow behavior-support policies and procedures and implement approved behavior plans.