DSP OPWDD - Housing Services
About The Position
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) works alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them achieve personal outcomes. The role supports development of daily living, professional, and informed decision-making skills while promoting health and safety. The DSP must be able to use English sufficiently to complete training, understand and follow support plans, communicate with care teams and providers, document services and patient information accurately, and comply with health and safety standards. The DSP collaborates with the people supported and interdisciplinary team to identify personal goals, develop service plans, build life skills, foster relationships and community involvement, and address barriers. The role may include positive behavior support, personal care, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, transportation, and other healthcare-related tasks. Employees must maintain confidentiality, communicate respectfully, follow safety and ethical requirements, and complete required documentation and training. This position is performed in person. Agency drivers are required to travel in an agency vehicle. The role involves prolonged sitting, walking, or standing; communicating verbally and in writing; reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching; and lifting up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be provided where they do not cause undue hardship.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Functional proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Proficient writing skills, including basic grammar and spelling.
- Ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keep others informed, and anticipate needs.
- Efficiency, good organization, and excellent communication skills.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Valid driver’s license and eligibility under agency criteria to serve as a driver.
- Ability to sit, walk, and stand for prolonged periods of at least 8 hours.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or stand on a stool as needed.
- Ability to lift 50 pounds at a time.
Nice To Haves
- Experience performing related job duties.
- Proficient computer skills.
Responsibilities
- Work with people supported to identify and realize personal life goals.
- Advocate for people supported in a variety of situations.
- Teach new life skills.
- Partner with people supported to promote their health and safety.
- Help people supported overcome barriers to establishing and maintaining relationships and valued social roles.
- Work with people supported and the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that support personal goals.
- Provide positive behavior support as necessary.
- Prevent, recognize, and report abuse.
- Accurately document service provision, daily notes, and other required information.
- Promote and support community involvement.
- Transport clients outside the home, including to physicians’ offices and outings, using a motor vehicle.
- Perform healthcare-related tasks as needed.
- Complete and process required paper and electronic documentation appropriately and on time, meeting quality and compliance thresholds.
- Administer bedside or personal care as needed in the residential setting (OPWDD only).
- Assist with personal care and hygiene as needed.
- Provide companionship, personal care, or help adjusting to new lifestyles during incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence.
- Perform housekeeping duties such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, and errands.
- Plan, shop for, or prepare nutritious meals, or assist individuals with these activities.
- Communicate respectfully with people supported, supervisors, team members, and community members.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FREE policies.
- Meet safety training requirements, follow safety policies, report unsafe conditions, and take measures to prevent accidents and health or safety risks.
- Meet job requirements for participating in or delivering training.
- Follow FREE’s ethical standards, Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and applicable laws and regulations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
