Direct Support Professional
About The Position
Easterseals Iowa is seeking a Direct Support Professional to support clients in living in their own homes within the Des Moines metro area. This role involves assisting individuals in achieving their independence goals, such as learning to cook, social skill building, money management, improving health, safety skills, and personal care. The position offers 8-hour weekday shifts and 12-hour weekend shifts. A shift differential of $2.00 per hour is provided for weekend hours (Friday 7 p.m. - Monday 7 a.m.). Transportation for clients is a requirement for all shifts. Easterseals Iowa values integrity, customer focus, independence, respect, shared purpose, and excellence in supporting clients.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to make independent decisions based on established policy, procedure and standard practice.
- Access to Reliable Transportation for regular participation in work.
- Maintenance of good driving record.
- Insurable under Easter Seals vehicle insurance policy.
- Ability to operate a computer and navigate through Easter Seals database.
- Ability to work cooperatively with team members, clients and the public in a professional and concerned manner.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to work non-traditional hours as required, including weekends and evenings.
- Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.
- Ability to write complete sentences and utilize appropriate grammar.
- Ability to bend, stoop, twist and lift.
- Ability to transfer or move a minimum of 80 pounds.
- Access to a telephone for on-call system.
- Ability to successfully pass a Medication Management course within first 90 days (for 24 Hour Program).
- Ability to successfully pass a Medication Management course as needed (for Hourly Program).
- Ability to successfully complete Mandatory Reporter of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse within first 30 days.
- Ability to successfully pass Adult and Child CPR, First Aid and agency required trainings within first 90 days.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Iowa Chauffeur’s (Class D) License as requested.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with persons with disabilities preferred.
- Experience in word processing software; Word and Excel preferred.
- Team members working in the 24 Hour Program: Ability to work non-traditional hours as required, including weekends and evenings at the various locations. All hours and locations are subject to change.
Responsibilities
- Support clients to live in their own homes.
- Assist individuals in working on their goals for independence (e.g., cooking, social skills, money management, health improvement, safety skills, personal care).
- Provide transportation to clients.
- Advocate for the client and support them to advocate for their needs.
- Focus on the individual needs of each client and meet those needs.
- Support clients to advocate for themselves and their right to live a meaningful and fulfilled life.
- Ensure clients have informed choice in their services and their life.
- Work together as a team to meet the needs of our clients respectfully and professionally.
- Be efficient and effective in supporting client’s life choices and style.
Benefits
- Competitive wage and benefits.
- Medical insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Employer-paid life insurance/accidental death and dismemberment/long term disability insurance.
- 403(b) Tax Deferred Retirement Plan.
- 20 days of PTO in the first year, increasing to 25 days of PTO in the second year.
- 8 paid holidays.
- Culture that promotes from within for advancement opportunities.
- Supportive and flexible team working environment.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
