Direct Support Specialist (Full time, Third Shift) - Adult Crisis Center

Seven Counties Services • Louisville, KY

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About The Position

The Direct Support Specialist supports individuals receiving services at an Adult Crisis Center by teaching and coaching daily living and recovery skills, facilitating community activities and access to resources, and helping maintain a safe, therapeutic environment. The role includes personal care, transportation, medication supervision as directed by program protocols, communication and coordination with care providers, documentation, discharge planning, and support for staff training. Staff are expected to provide responsive customer service, contribute to continuous quality improvement, and follow safety management policies and applicable Joint Commission standards. Job-related tasks beyond those listed may also be assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Zero to one year of full-time experience working with individuals receiving services for mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disability, or physical health conditions.
• 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.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds; may frequently lift patients.

Responsibilities

• Teach, model, and coach activities of daily living, monitor clients’ performance, and provide therapeutic feedback.
• Teach psychoeducation classes on recovery topics such as medication side effects, daily living, communication, and stress management.
• Plan and facilitate community-based activities and help clients access community resources.
• Support a safe and therapeutic environment through verbal de-escalation and other authorized behavior-management techniques.
• Represent SCS and its clients in the community, support client integration, and educate community members about disabilities and SCS services.
• 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, and teach clients to use 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 applicable program protocols.
• Identify clients’ food and medication allergies and take reasonable care to avoid allergen exposure.
• Communicate care- and treatment-related information with SCS staff and, when authorized, outside providers.
• Take responsibility for program-specific assignments as needed.
• Complete service and care documentation promptly and in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.
• Maintain confidentiality of protected health information in accordance with SCS procedures and state and federal law.
• Assist with discharge planning as needed.
• Support additional training needs of direct support staff as needed.
• Attend and participate in required staff and service-planning meetings and trainings.
• Follow safety management and other applicable policies and procedures, and contribute to customer service responsiveness and continuous quality improvement.

What This Job Offers

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