Direct Support Specialist Part time - Adult Crisis Center

Seven Counties Services•Louisville, KY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a part-time position for the Adult Crisis Center, specifically for the second shift (3 PM - 11 PM). The role involves teaching, modeling, and coaching self-sufficiency and self-management skills to individuals receiving services. This includes areas such as 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" 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/medication allergies are also responsibilities. Communication with other staff and authorized external providers is essential for ensuring appropriate care. The role may involve specific program assignments like food programs or admissions at the Crisis Stabilization Unit. Accurate and timely documentation of services is required, maintaining confidentiality of protected health information. Assistance with discharge planning and support for training needs of other direct support staff are also part of the role. Attendance at meetings and trainings is mandatory. This job description outlines the major duties but incumbents may be asked to perform other related tasks.

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 adherence to all policies and procedures related to safety management and Joint Commission standards.
COVID and Influenza vaccinations required.

Nice To Haves

Ability to integrate clients into the community.
Ability to educate community members about people with disabilities and the organization's services.

Responsibilities

Teaches, models, and coaches self-sufficiency and self-management skills (personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational/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 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 according to program protocols.
Identifies assigned clients’ food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure.
Communicates relevant information to other SCS staff and authorized 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.
Assists/reviews with discharge planning as needed.
Provides support for additional training needs of direct support staff as needed.
Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.