Direct Support Professional

Hearts and Hands of Care•Big Lake, AK

19h

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional provides ongoing services to clients and individuals in their homes or communities. The role focuses on keeping individuals safe, supporting individualized goals, and completing daily documentation. The professional serves as a positive role model, maintains appropriate boundaries, and communicates openly with the team about service needs and expectations. The position supports service recipients with high needs, implements and documents service plans, and collaborates with families and team members to develop individualized plans and crisis or safety plans. The professional monitors services, coordinates transportation, connects individuals with community supports, and helps them transition across life domains, services, levels of care, and into adulthood. The work takes place indoors in a home setting or in a community setting, with a varied schedule.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must meet the requirements for the position under 7 AAC 125.010–7 AAC 125.199.
Must pass the required criminal background check unless the department grants a variance under 7 AAC 10.935.
Must not have been denied or had a health care provider license or certification revoked for a reason related to patient services described in 7 AAC 105–7 AAC 160.
Must be able to independently assist the recipient with the specific activities of daily living under 7 AAC 125.030 and with services provided to the recipient.
Must be able to attend training and obtain a First Aid card issued by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or another agency approved by the Department of Seniors and Disability Services.
Must be able to attend Mandt training.
Must be reliable and dependable.
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
Knowledge of HIPAA requirements for safeguarding confidential medical and personal records.
Ability to provide descriptive database notes addressing interventions used and the individual’s response.
Working knowledge of signs and symptoms of common illnesses and conditions.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to maintain reliable attendance and punctuality, a confidential working relationship, and strong personal organization.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions and communicate effectively with a positive attitude in difficult situations.

Nice To Haves

Experience documenting in the Therap database is preferred.
Confirmed service in the industry with advanced training in behavioral, medical, or caregiver services is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage services for service recipients with high needs and meet productivity standards.
Implement service plans and complete comprehensive documentation, including staffing notes, contact notes, and records related to individual goals and objectives.
Promote a strengths-based perspective and empower children and individuals to reach desired outcomes.
Engage children, individuals, and identified informal and formal supports within the Framework.
Collaborate with families and team members to develop individualized service plans with measurable objectives and action steps that reflect individual and family needs, vision, and strengths.
Develop comprehensive crisis and safety plans, when necessary, with the Child and Family Team.
Monitor service delivery to ensure services address service-plan goals.
Maintain general knowledge of community services and supports available inside and outside the agency.
Coordinate transportation for service recipients.
Interact professionally with stakeholders and work with the Child and Family Team to promote community-based care in the most appropriate, least restrictive setting.
Assist individuals as they transition through life domains, services, levels of care, and into adulthood.
Write clear, accurate documentation using correct spelling and grammar and appropriate behavioral health acronyms and therapeutic terminology.
Demonstrate teamwork and shared leadership.
Communicate positively and supportively with team members, supervisors, and other employees, and return emails and phone calls within 24 hours.
Carry a cell phone and be reachable during work hours.
Consult a supervisor or clinical consultant when support is needed beyond the DSP’s capabilities.
Submit documentation in accordance with agency standards and follow administrative policies and procedures.
Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality for scheduled events.