Direct Support Professional/ELIZABETHTON

Support Solutions•Elizabethton, TN

22d•$15 - $16•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports individuals with disabilities to lead self-directed lives and develop or maintain skills that enhance their quality of life. The role is guided by Support Solutions’ mission to help supported persons be happy, healthy, and safe while enjoying life to the fullest extent possible. Work takes place primarily in a home, as well as in community and work settings, and includes supporting personal care, daily routines, individual goals, community participation, and independence. The position may be part-time or full-time and may require additional hours beyond 40 per week. The employee provides person-centered support in accordance with each individual’s Individual Support Plan (ISP), while respecting the individual’s dignity, choices, confidentiality, and right to make decisions. Duties include assisting with personal grooming, household tasks, meals, transportation, medication storage and administration, and daily living skills. The employee documents progress and shift activities in an electronic records system, attends assigned training, and communicates with individuals supported, their families, conservators, vendors, coordinators, case managers, and others according to customer service standards. The role requires a valid driver’s license and may involve driving individuals to appointments, job sites, events, and community activities using agency vehicles, personal vehicles, or public transportation. The employee must meet applicable background screening and training requirements, maintain required certifications, and provide medical records as required by regulations and company policy. Physical requirements include extended standing or walking, occasional sitting, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing, driving, use of all five senses, and heavy lifting over 50 pounds. The employee may also need to perform CPR compressions, abdominal thrusts, CPI techniques, or pursue someone on foot to prevent injury.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.
Must be able to read and write effectively.
ECF staff must have a high school diploma or GED.
Must have and maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
Must meet state and local requirements for criminal background, sexual offender, abuse registry, drug, and felony offender checks.
Must meet all training requirements and keep training current.
Must maintain valid Medication Certification throughout employment.
Must maintain valid CPR/First Aid Certification throughout employment.
Must maintain valid CPI training throughout employment if required.
Must provide required medical records to comply with governing regulations and Support Solutions policy; examples include TB skin tests, Hepatitis B vaccinations, and flu vaccinations.
Must have effective verbal and written communication skills.
Must have effective organizational skills and be able to complete heavy workloads within established time frames while handling frequent interruptions or distractions.
Must have effective interpersonal skills and be able to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and interact appropriately in different contexts.
Must maintain confidentiality in matters concerning clients and employees.
Must be able to perform varied duties that may involve changing technology, techniques, environmental factors, physical demands, or work situations.
Must be able to stand or walk for prolonged periods and occasionally sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and climb.
Must be able to drive or travel short distances for appointments, outings, meetings, and training.
Must have a full range of body movement, including the ability to use hands, feet, and limbs for CPR compressions, abdominal thrusts, CPI techniques, and pursuing a person on foot to prevent injury.
Must have command of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste; vision must support close and distant viewing, depth perception, shifting focus between documents and electronic devices, and operating a vehicle.
Must be able to talk and listen for prolonged periods by telephone and face to face.
Must be able to lift over 50 pounds to assist with transfers and repositioning of individuals requiring total care.
Must provide valid automobile insurance when working in homes where the agency does not provide a vehicle; the agency may request proof of insurance regardless of location or vehicle availability.

Responsibilities

Support individuals with personal care, daily routines, and outcomes in their Individual Support Plans.
Respect the dignity, preferences, choices, and self-direction of the person supported in all interactions.
Provide person-centered support that helps individuals pursue their goals, build relationships, and participate in their communities.
Transport and accompany individuals to events, job sites, medical appointments, and community outings; arrange alternate transportation when needed for safety.
Use personal and agency resources appropriately, including funds, vehicles, buildings, equipment, food, and supplies.
Attend all assigned training meetings.
Cook and provide meals according to scheduled menus.
Perform daily living activities or teach individuals to perform them to develop independence and personal skills.
Work toward and document progress on individual outcomes.
Use the electronic records system and complete required daily shift notes.
Follow customer service standards when communicating with supported individuals, families, conservators, vendors, ISCs, case managers, and others.
Oversee storage and administration of medications.
Assist with personal grooming as desired by the individual and support independence with those activities where possible.
Assist individuals with keeping the house clean and doing laundry as desired by the individual.
Protect the confidentiality of individuals supported.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors, managers, or authorized staff.