DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
About The Position
A Direct Support Professional ensures individuals’ health, safety, and welfare, enhances their quality of life, and supports community inclusion. The role has ultimate responsibility for client programming and care, including supporting daily living skills, health needs, medication routines, community outings, and crisis situations. The position also requires accurate and timely documentation, maintaining the residence, following agency policies and confidentiality requirements, and representing Citizen Advocates, Inc. professionally. Community Living operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The supervisor determines schedules to meet location and department needs; hours may vary based on company needs and workload, with as much advance notice as possible for changes. Travel is as needed, mostly for resident hospital visits, and may extend as far as Albany, NY. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time.
Requirements
- One year of experience working with people with developmental disabilities or mental health needs.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds.
- Ability to move intermittently throughout the day and provide personal care to clients.
- Ability to work in stressful situations and in a team environment.
- Competencies include confidentiality, putting individuals first, building and maintaining positive relationships, professionalism, ethical conduct, and organization.
- Ability to demonstrate flexibility with scheduling.
Responsibilities
- Ensure residents have adequate food, shelter, and clothing.
- Provide first aid and nursing assistance as needed or requested, and report nursing and medical needs to a supervisor.
- Assess and instruct residents in daily living skills.
- Lift, transfer, and position residents as prescribed.
- Prepare meals and involve residents in meal preparation.
- Intervene and assist in crisis situations, accessing appropriate resources as needed.
- Support community outings.
- Monitor and dispense medications and follow physicians’ orders.
- Provide programming as written by the Program Coordinator and communicate programming information to the Program Coordinator and Manager as needed.
- Ensure staffing ratios are met at all times.
- Demonstrate cultural beliefs in daily interactions and use the least restrictive prompting.
- Follow written behavior plans and crisis management plans.
- Participate in staff, team, and residence meetings.
- Attend required training and maintain required certifications.
- Complete timely and accurate documentation of programming, client care, and medical information as required.
- Assist with residence cleanliness and upkeep as instructed.
- Follow universal precautions and program policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate flexibility with scheduling and protect client confidentiality.
- Represent Citizen Advocates, Inc. professionally with families, other organizations, and the community.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
- Travel as needed, mostly for resident hospital visits, including travel as far as Albany, NY.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
