Direct Support Professional | Full & Part-Time | 3p - 11p / 11p - 7a

THE ARC OF THE OZARKS • Springfield, MO

1d • $21 - $0 • Onsite

About The Position

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Full-Time & Part-Time | Set Schedules | 7a–3p & 3p–11p Shifts Available Schedule Requirement: At least one weekend shift is required. Starting Pay: $21.00/hour — Experience Pay Available! Looking for a career where the work you do truly matters? Join The Arc of the Ozarks and help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build independence, reach their personal goals, and be active members of their communities. As a Direct Support Professional (DSP), you’re more than a caregiver—you’re a mentor, coach, and advocate who helps the people we support learn skills, make choices, and live as independently as possible. This is a human services position providing desired supports to persons with disabilities, in a residential setting, so that they may achieve the highest level of independent living possible within their community. An employee in this class provides training and supports to assigned persons served in dressing, bathing, personal hygiene, house cleaning, laundry, and other activities of daily living. Additional responsibilities include assisting with the purchasing of groceries, training in food preparation, administering medications, and assist in the management of personal funds. This employee assists in the implementation of personal plans; contributes to the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment; and establishes effective interpersonal relationships with each person served, their parents and/or guardians, and other members of the support team. Work involves responsibility for observing and reporting information concerning the physical, mental, and behavioral condition of the persons served and for assisting in the maintenance of necessary records and reports to document these observations. Close supervision and direction is received from the Team Manager, the Program Supervisor, and/or other staff members who review work through reports and direct observations.

Requirements

• 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Patient, dependable, and willing to learn
• Comfortable working hands-on with individuals and supporting their personal goals
• Committed to treating the people we support with dignity, respect, and compassion
• Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion.
• Ability to work varied and flexible hours, accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.
• Ability to work with and respect persons with disabilities and advocate for their rights.
• Ability to learn and apply crisis intervention and behavior support techniques.
• Ability to administer oral, rectal, vaginal, optic, ophthalmic, nasal, topical medications and insulin injections after certification by The Arc of the Ozarks and Missouri State officials.
• Ability to teach basic skills and model adaptive behaviors at home and in the community.
• Ability to maintain a safe, clean and agreeable environment for the persons served.
• Ability to accurately report and record observations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to stand, stoop, lift up to 50 lbs, and pull and push items.
• Ability to pass with satisfactory performance CPR, First Aid, and Behavior Intervention training.
• Ability to maintain a record of punctuality and attendance.
• A licensed and insured driver.
• Ability to obtain a class E drivers license if driving persons served in an Arc vehicle.
• Successfully complete a course in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid
• Successfully complete a 16 hours course in Medication Administration.
• Successfully complete a 10 course in MANDT System Workshop
• Successfully complete a course in OSHA regulations on Health and Safety.
• Successfully complete a course in Abuse & Neglect
• Successfully complete a course in Electronic Documentation

Nice To Haves

• Experience Pay Available!

Responsibilities

• Teaching and supporting independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and personal hygiene.
• Helping individuals build confidence and independence through hands-on learning and encouragement.
• Getting out into the community—visiting local businesses, participating in activities, exploring new places, and supporting individuals in becoming active, valued members of their communities.
• Supporting employment, household, and personal goals.
• Providing medication and behavioral support as required.
• Working as part of a team to plan, communicate, and advocate for the individuals we support.
• Provides support to persons served in dressing, bathing, personal hygiene, house cleaning, laundry, and other activities of daily living.
• Assists with the purchasing of groceries and supplies; supports persons served in preparing their own meals.
• Assists in providing basic health care for persons served; takes temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, and applies simple dressings when necessary.
• Administers oral, rectal, vaginal, optic, ophthalmic, nasal, and topical medications, after certification by The Arc of the Ozarks and Missouri State officials.
• Takes appropriate action in case of fire and/or disaster or other urgent / emergency.
• Assists in maintaining an inventory of supplies in the home and ordering / notifying appropriate parties of needed items so clients homes always have necessary items.
• Implements outcomes and strategies of individual personal plans under the supervision of the Team Manager, the Program Supervisor, or other staff members; provides supports as identified in the personal plans; attends review meetings when assigned.
• Provides support to persons served in maintaining a safe and clean environment in their home.
• Observes, reports, and assists in recording changes in the physical, emotional, behavioral status of persons served and documents progress on the outcomes listed in personal plans.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new employees.
• Encourages the development and maintenance of a safe environment for persons served in a residential setting including developing plans for evacuation assistance in case of emergency, using the on-call pager; and training in securing emergency services such as the police, the fire department, and an ambulance.
• Assists persons served in securing and effectively managing funds; ensuring the Individuals’ choices of how these funds are spent, budgeting, etc.
• Provides support to persons served in becoming active participants in their communities.
• Supports persons served in participating in varied meaningful vocational, domestic, and leisure activities in the community of their choosing.

Benefits

• Paid initial and ongoing training and certifications, including CPR/First Aid, MANDT, Paraclete, Level 1 Medication Aide, and more
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement
• Potential for annual wage increases
• Excellent opportunities for growth and promotion within the organization
• We require a two-week (paid) training/orientation for the first two weeks of employment--weekdays from 9AM - 5PM.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED