Direct Support Professional

Shine Bright Care•Fairbanks, AK

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional provides ongoing services to clients and individuals with needs in their homes or communities. The role focuses on maintaining safety, supporting individualized goals, documenting services, modeling positive behavior and work ethics, building professional relationships with appropriate boundaries, and communicating with the team about service needs and expectations. The position supports service recipients with high needs by implementing service plans, coordinating with families and team members, monitoring services, and helping individuals achieve desired outcomes and move through life transitions. The role also includes coordinating transportation, maintaining required documentation and administrative tasks, meeting productivity standards, and consulting a supervisor or clinical consultant when support is needed beyond the DSP’s capabilities. Work takes place indoors in a home setting and/or in a community setting; schedules vary and may include day, swing, or overnight hours.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must meet the requirements for the position under 7 AAC 125.010–7 AAC 125.199.
Must pass a criminal background check unless the department grants a variance under 7 AAC 10.935.
Must not have been denied a health care provider license or certification for a reason related to patient services described in 7 AAC 105–7 AAC 160, or have had a license or certification revoked.
Must be able to independently assist the recipient with the specific activities of daily living under 7 AAC 125.030 and services provided to the recipient.
Must be able to attend training and obtain a First Aid card issued by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or another agency approved by the Department of Seniors and Disability Services.
Must be able to attend Mandt training.
Must be reliable and dependable.
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
Knowledge of HIPAA laws of 1996 and the ability to safeguard confidential medical and personal records.
Ability to provide descriptive notes addressing interventions used and the individual’s response in a database.
Working knowledge of signs and symptoms of common illnesses and conditions.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to be consistently at work and on time.
Ability to maintain a confidential working relationship.
Excellent personal organizational skills.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively and maintain a positive attitude in difficult situations.

Nice To Haves

Experience documenting in the Therap database is preferred.
Confirmed service in the industry with advanced training in behavioral, medical, or caregiver services is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing services to clients and individuals in their homes or communities, maintaining safety and working toward individualized goals.
Model positive behavior and work ethics while maintaining professional relationships and appropriate boundaries.
Communicate with the team about service needs and expectations for service delivery.
Manage service recipients with high needs and meet productivity standards.
Implement service plans and complete comprehensive documentation, including staffing notes, contact notes, and other records related to individual goals and objectives.
Promote a strengths-based perspective and empower children and individuals to reach desired outcomes.
Engage children, individuals, and identified informal and formal supports within the Framework.
Develop individualized service plans in collaboration with families and team members, incorporating needs, measurable objectives, action steps, family vision, and strengths.
Develop comprehensive crisis and safety plans, when necessary, within the Child and Family Team.
Monitor service delivery to ensure it addresses service plan goals.
Maintain general knowledge of community services and supports, both inside and outside the agency.
Coordinate transportation for service recipients.
Interact professionally with stakeholders and work within the Child and Family Team to promote community-based care in the most appropriate and least restrictive setting.
Assist individuals with transitions through life domains, services, levels of care, and into adulthood.
Prepare quality written documentation with correct spelling and grammar and appropriate use of behavioral health acronyms and therapeutic terminology.
Demonstrate teamwork and shared leadership; communicate positively and supportively with team members, supervisors, and other employees.
Return emails and phone calls within 24 hours and carry a cell phone to remain reachable during work hours.
Consult a supervisor or clinical consultant when support is needed beyond the DSP’s capabilities.
Submit documentation according to agency standards and adhere to agency policies and procedures.
Maintain regular, reliable attendance and punctuality for scheduled events.
Maintain confidentiality and safeguard medical and personal records.
Attend training and obtain a qualifying First Aid card; attend Mandt training.
Independently assist recipients with the specific activities of daily living and services required.