Direct Support Professional

Residential Opportunities Inc•Kalamazoo, MI

12d•$17 - $19

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, medical care needs, and/or physical disabilities in making day-to-day choices that promote independence and community participation. The role provides personal and medical assistance as needed, teaches and models appropriate behaviors and daily living skills, and provides behavior management support. The employee learns about the preferences, hopes, and goals of the people receiving services and supports their choices and progress. Duties are performed in accordance with program goals, agency policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations, and ROI’s Core Values, Vision, and Mission Statements. The position includes supporting people with personal hygiene, dressing, eating, communication, mobility, housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, personal finance, social and leisure activities, and vocational goals. The Direct Support Professional also contributes to individual program plans, administers medication according to ROI procedures, maintains required documentation, reports concerns to supervisors, and helps maintain homes, workplaces, equipment, and vehicles. The role requires respect for the rights and confidentiality of people served, adherence to health and safety and abuse-reporting requirements, teamwork, sound judgment, and flexibility as schedules are adjusted to meet service needs. Transportation may be required for employees approved as ROI drivers. The starting wage is $17.13–$18.86 per hour, adjusted for relevant education and experience. ROI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity and an inclusive environment.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age or older.
High school diploma or GED required.
Ability to achieve and maintain required training and certifications, including ROI agency training, medication certification, first aid and CPR certification, and physical intervention techniques certification.
Ability to pass background check screening.
Ability to arrive on time and as scheduled at the work site.
Ability to physically manage people served and assist with a wide array of physical needs.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to operate basic home appliances and office equipment.
Ability to work independently in the absence of direct supervision.
Good verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Approved driver status as determined by ROI.

Responsibilities

Establish collaborative relationships with people served.
Implement health and safety protocols, including CPR, first aid, and behavior management.
Report to scheduled shifts, meetings, and training and remain fully alert.
Complete required financial, billing, program, and agency documentation.
Teach and support people served to complete personal hygiene, personal assistance, housekeeping, meal-related, personal finance, social and leisure, and vocational activities as independently as possible; assist or perform these tasks when needed.
Use role modeling and teaching to support the development of appropriate friendships and meaningful relationships.
Provide input for individual program plans and implement those plans.
Administer medications according to ROI procedures.
Inform a supervisor of problems or issues involving people served or their environment.
Maintain homes, workplaces, equipment, and vehicles to ROI standards.
Promote a positive image of ROI.
Assist with adaptive equipment and, after training, conduct prescribed therapy programs, support use of braces and assistive devices, and perform range-of-motion exercises.
Assist with lifting and transferring people served using safe procedures when needed.
Advocate for and respect the rights of people served to lead self-determined lives by providing necessary supports.
Display responsible and conscientious behavior and use good judgment.
Facilitate teamwork through open communication, shared responsibilities, and a positive, constructive attitude.
Adapt to schedule changes necessary to meet the needs of people supported by ROI.
Transport people served when necessary if approved as an ROI driver.
Comply with laws and regulations concerning the reporting of suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons.
Maintain the confidentiality of restricted information, data, and reports.
Complete other tasks assigned by the APC, PC, PD, COO, or CEO.