Direct Support Specialist PRN - Addictions

Seven Counties Services•Louisville, KY

About The Position

The Direct Support Specialist supports individuals receiving services for addiction and other behavioral, intellectual, or physical health conditions. The role teaches and coaches activities of daily living, provides recovery-focused psychoeducation, facilitates community activities and access to resources, and helps maintain a safe, therapeutic environment. It also involves community collaboration, transportation, personal care, first aid and CPR, and supervision of self-administered medication according to program protocols. Staff are expected to exercise principle-centered leadership, respond to customer needs, support continuous quality improvement, and understand and follow safety-management policies and procedures and other Joint Commission standards. Incumbents may also be asked to perform other job-related tasks beyond those listed.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Zero to one year of full-time experience working with individuals receiving treatment for 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 sound judgment.
At least 18 years of age.
Valid driver’s license, proof of automobile liability insurance, and a positive driving record.
Ability to lift up to 100 pounds, with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds; the position may involve frequent lifting of patients.

Responsibilities

Teach, model, and coach activities of daily living, monitor performance, and provide therapeutic feedback.
Teach psychoeducation classes on recovery, including medication side effects, daily living, communication, and stress management.
Plan and facilitate community-based activities and help individuals access community resources.
Support a safe therapeutic environment through verbal de-escalation and authorized behavior-management techniques.
Represent SCS and its clients in the community and educate community members about people with disabilities and SCS services and programming.
Collaborate with community systems on behalf of individuals served, including schools, landlords, families, transportation providers, and employers.
Provide transportation using an SCS van or personal vehicle while following safety practices; teach and facilitate use of public transportation.
Provide personal care as needed, including hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, and safe eating techniques.
Administer First Aid and CPR as needed.
Supervise self-administered medication according to the specific clinical program’s protocols.
Follow applicable safety-management policies and procedures and Joint Commission standards, and contribute to customer service responsiveness and continuous quality improvement.