Direct Support Specialist - Adult Crisis Center

Seven Counties Services•Louisville, KY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Direct Support Specialist in an Adult Crisis Center, working the second shift (3 pm - 11 pm). The role involves teaching, modeling, and coaching self-sufficiency and self-management skills to clients, including personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, and goal-setting. The specialist will monitor and document client progress, teach psychoeducation classes on recovery topics, and facilitate community-based activities and access to resources. A key aspect of the role is contributing to a safe and therapeutic environment through de-escalation techniques and behavior management. The specialist will also act as an "ambassador" for the organization by integrating clients into the community and educating the public about disabilities and the organization's services. Collaboration with community systems, providing transportation, administering First Aid and CPR, supervising self-administered medication, and identifying/avoiding food or medication allergies are also core functions. Communication with staff and external providers is essential for ensuring quality care. The role may involve specific program assignments, such as food programs or admissions at the Crisis Stabilization Unit. Accurate documentation of services is required, maintaining confidentiality of protected health information. The specialist will assist with discharge planning and provide support for training of other direct support staff. Attendance at meetings and trainings is mandatory. This role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and zero to one year of full-time experience working with individuals receiving services for mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disability, or physical health conditions. The ability to provide nurturing attention, communicate effectively with individuals, and possess good interpersonal, teaching, patience, empathy, maturity, and judgment skills are essential.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Zero to one year full-time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of a mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disability, or physical health condition.
Ability to provide nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities.
Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
Good interpersonal skills.
Teaching skills.
Patience and empathy.
Maturity and good judgment.
Lifting a maximum of 50 pounds.
18 years of age or older.
Valid driver’s license.
Proof of automobile liability insurance.
Positive driving record.
Working knowledge of and follow all policies and procedures related to safety management and other Joint Commission standards.

Nice To Haves

May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program (e.g., food programs, admissions at Crisis Stabilization Unit).
Provide support for additional training needs of direct support staff as needed.

Responsibilities

Teaches, models, and coaches self-sufficiency and self-management skills (personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, nutrition needs).
Monitors and documents teaching and client progress.
Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery topics (medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, stress management strategies).
Plans and facilitates community-based activities (medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization).
Facilitates access to community resources (AA/NA meetings, school, job placement).
Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and authorized behavior management techniques.
Serves as an "ambassador" by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and the organization's services.
Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served (school, landlord, family, transportation provider, employer).
Provides transportation (driving SCS van or personal vehicle), ensuring adherence to standard safety practices.
Teaches and facilitates use of public transportation systems.
Provides assistance with basic life skills as needed.
Administers First Aid and CPR, as needed.
Supervises self-administered medication, depending on the specific clinical program’s protocols.
Identifies assigned clients’ food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.
Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services with other SCS staff members and, as authorized, with non-SCS providers.
May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program (e.g., food programs, admissions at Crisis Stabilization Unit).
Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms (attendance records, daily logs, shift/progress notes, incident reports, time reports).
Maintains confidentiality of protected health information.
Assist/review with discharge planning as needed.
Provide support for additional training needs of direct support staff as needed.
Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.