Direct Support Specialist, Full time - Addictions

Seven Counties Services•Louisville, KY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is working 3rd shift. To be considered for this position, you must have a valid driver's license and no more than 6 points on your driving record. The role involves teaching, modeling, and coaching activities of daily living (ADL) such as personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, and educational/vocational goal-setting. It also includes teaching psychoeducation classes on recovery topics like medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, and stress management. The specialist plans and facilitates community-based activities including medical appointments, grocery shopping, and leisure/recreation/socialization, while also facilitating access to community resources like AA/NA meetings, school, and job placement. A key aspect of the role is contributing to a safe and therapeutic environment through verbal de-escalation and authorized behavior management techniques. The specialist acts as an "ambassador" for SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and SCS's services. Collaboration with community systems such as schools, landlords, families, transportation providers, and employers on behalf of individuals served is essential. The role includes providing transportation via SCS van or personal vehicle, ensuring adherence to safety practices, and teaching/facilitating the use of public transportation. Personal care, as needed, such as personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, and safe eating techniques, is also part of the responsibilities. Administering First Aid and CPR, supervising self-administered medication according to program protocols, and identifying food/medication allergies to avoid exposure are also required. Communication of relevant care, treatment, and service information with SCS staff and authorized non-SCS providers is crucial for ensuring appropriate care. The specialist may take responsibility for specific program assignments, such as food programs or admissions at the Crisis Stabilization Unit. Documentation of services and care provided through timely completion of various forms (attendance records, daily logs, shift/progress notes, incident reports, time reports) in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards is mandatory. Maintaining confidentiality of protected health information is also a key responsibility. The role may also involve assisting with discharge planning and providing support for additional training needs of direct support staff. Attendance and participation in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings are expected.

Requirements

Valid driver's license
No more than 6 points on driving record
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 judgment.
18 years of age or older.
Proof of automobile liability insurance.
Positive driving record.

Responsibilities

Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) (e.g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, nutrition needs); monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.
Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery (e.g., medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, stress management strategies).
Plans and facilitates community-based activities (e.g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation / socialization); facilitates access to community resources (e.g., AA/NA meetings, school, job placement).
Contributes to safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques.
Serves as “ambassador” of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about SCS’s services and programming.
Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served (e.g., school, landlord, family, transportation provider, employer).
Provides transportation (e.g., driving SCS van or personal vehicle), ensuring adherence to standard safety practices (e.g., driver certification, seat belts, child safety seats); teaches and facilitates use of public transportation systems.
Provides personal care, as needed (e.g., personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, safe eating techniques).
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, to ensure appropriate level and quality of care.
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 (e.g., attendance records, daily logs, shift/progress notes, incident reports, time reports in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.
Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law.
Assist 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.