Direct Support Professional/ROGERSVILLE

Support Solutions • Rogersville, TN

22d • $15 - $15 • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional provides support to individuals with disabilities, empowering them to lead self-directed lives and develop or maintain skills that enhance their quality of life. The role supports the agency’s mission to help supported persons be happy, healthy, and safe while enjoying life to the fullest extent possible. The position works primarily in a home environment and also supports individuals in community and work settings, outdoor activities, appointments, and other outings.

The employee assists with personal care, daily routines, meals, household tasks, medication administration, transportation, and the goals and outcomes identified in each person’s Individual Support Plan. The role promotes choice, dignity, independence, community participation, and meaningful relationships. It also requires documenting services and progress in an electronic records system, maintaining confidentiality, attending assigned training, and following customer service standards. Other duties may be assigned by authorized staff.

This is a full-time position in Rogersville, Tennessee, with a listed hourly wage of $15.37. The position may require additional hours over 40 per week.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old and able to read and write effectively.
• ECF staff must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record throughout employment.
• Must satisfy 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 have effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have effective organizational skills and be able to manage heavy workloads within established time frames, including with frequent interruptions or distractions.
• Must have effective interpersonal skills and be able to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and interact appropriately in varied contexts.
• Must maintain confidentiality in matters involving clients and employees.
• Must be able to perform varied duties that may involve changing technology, techniques, environmental factors, physical demands, or work situations.
• Must provide medical records required by a governing entity or agency policy; examples include TB skin tests and Hepatitis B and flu vaccinations.
• Must maintain valid Medication Certification and CPR/First Aid Certification throughout employment.
• Must maintain valid CPI training throughout employment if required.
• Valid automobile insurance is required for employees working at homes where the agency does not provide a vehicle; proof must be presented before transfer to such a home, and the agency may request proof regardless of location or vehicle availability.
• Must be able to stand or walk for prolonged periods, sit for short or long periods, and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, bend, or climb.
• Must be able to drive or travel for short periods to transport supported persons and attend appointments, outings, meetings, and training.
• Must have the full range of body movements needed for CPR compressions, abdominal thrusts, CPI techniques, and pursuing a person on foot to prevent injury.
• Must have functional sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste; vision abilities include close vision, distant vision, and depth perception sufficient for reading, computer or tablet data entry, 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 more than 50 pounds to assist with transfers and repositioning of total-care individuals.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals with personal care, daily routines, and outcomes identified in their Individual Support Plans.
• Respect the worth and dignity of supported persons, connect them with activities and experiences of their choice, and empower them to make decisions and live as self-directed a life as possible.
• Provide person-centered support that helps individuals pursue their goals, establish relationships, and participate in their communities.
• Safely transport and accompany supported persons to events, job sites, medical appointments, and other outings using agency vehicles, personal vehicles, or public transportation; arrange alternate transportation when needed for safety.
• Use the supported person’s and agency’s resources appropriately, including funds, vehicles, buildings, utilities, telephones, equipment, food, and supplies.
• Attend assigned training meetings and keep required training current.
• Prepare meals according to scheduled menus.
• Perform daily activities or teach supported persons daily living and other personal skills that promote independence.
• Work toward and document progress on individual outcomes, including completing required daily shift notes in the electronic records system.
• Follow customer service standards when communicating with supported persons, families, conservators, vendors, ISCs, case managers, and others.
• Oversee the storage and administration of medications.
• Assist with personal grooming as desired by the supported person, encouraging independence where possible.
• Assist supported persons with housecleaning and laundry as desired by the person.
• Protect the confidentiality of supported persons.
• Perform other duties assigned by supervisors, managers, or authorized staff.

What This Job Offers

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