Direct Support Professional - Group Home

Beacon Specialized Living•Richmond, VA

16h

About The Position

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) helps individuals achieve personal goals, increase independence, and participate fully in their communities while ensuring their health, safety, and well-being. The role serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, severe mental illness, autism, and high-acuity behaviors in residential homes and community settings. Work must comply with company policies, accreditation standards, state and federal licensing requirements, HCBS guidelines, and other applicable contractual and regulatory requirements. The DSP is expected to support Beacon’s mission and I CARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. This role reports to the Care Team Manager and is based at various locations. The employee follows person-centered and behavior plans, supports individuals’ daily living and personal goals, and helps maintain a safe, clean, and respectful home environment. Duties include meal preparation, transportation, medication administration as needed, personal care and transfers, household tasks, and timely completion of documentation. The employee must remain awake and immediately accessible in homes requiring 24/7 care. Several part-time schedules are available, including evening, daytime, and overnight shifts across Sunday through Saturday. The work takes place in a typical home setting and in community locations such as stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It may involve stress arising from individual behavior, exposure to varying temperatures, dust or smoke, and routine exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue. The position has substantial physical requirements, including mobility around homes and communities, lifting and carrying, stairs, household chores, meal preparation, grocery shopping, laundry, and assisting individuals with transfers.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must pass criminal background checks and applicable central registry and child abuse registry checks.
Must complete and pass a drug test where applicable.
Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Must be proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English.
Must be approved by applicable state, federal, and government entities to work within BSLS programs.
Must be able to use office equipment and BSLS information technology systems.
Must be able to work physically and emotionally with individuals with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
Must communicate and function effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Must have strong computer skills using various software programs and applications.
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
Must be able to create professional employee communication materials and work well with all levels of the organization.
Must demonstrate professionalism, multitasking ability, and the ability to work with little daily supervision.
Must be able to meet the physical demands described, including moving about homes and communities, bending, squatting, standing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, walking, reaching, and remaining stationary.
Must be able to lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds for short distances daily and assist with transfers involving individuals weighing up to 200 pounds.
Must be able to climb stairs, operate a computer and office machinery, prepare meals, do laundry, grocery shop, and perform cleaning activities.
Must be able to perform duties involving routine exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred; required in certain states.

Responsibilities

Comply with company policies and procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
Set a positive example for individuals and model Beacon’s core values.
Follow each individual’s person-centered plan, behavior plan, and house guidelines.
Provide opportunities and support for individuals to meet personal goals and participate in activities and community life.
Provide quality care in a safe, healthy setting; uphold individuals’ rights and protect them from abuse and neglect, reporting occurrences promptly.
Maintain the privacy and confidentiality of individuals and company information.
Prepare meals according to individuals’ food specifications, diets, food exchanges, and documentation; understand food supply and storage procedures.
Transport individuals to appointments, attend appointments with them, advocate for them, and obtain necessary documentation when needed.
Assist individuals with budgeting and use of their funds when applicable.
Complete required documentation before the end of each shift, including progress notes, support logs, event and incident reports, leave-of-absence forms, and inventories.
Supervise or assist individuals with laundry and bedroom cleanliness as assigned.
Maintain the cleanliness of the home site according to the assignment chart and keep it inspection-ready.
Remain awake and immediately accessible in homes requiring 24/7 care.
Administer medications as needed.
Communicate relevant information to the next shift during handoff.
Cooperate with Beacon, Department of Human Services staff, and other regulatory bodies during inspections, investigations, or inquiries.
Communicate and work effectively with interdisciplinary teams and all organizational levels.
Promote a positive, safe, respectful, and productive workplace; address negative workplace behaviors as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.