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

Seven Counties Services • Louisville, KY

5d

About The Position

The Direct Support Specialist provides direct support to adults receiving services at the Adult Crisis Center. The role teaches and coaches activities of daily living, provides recovery education, facilitates community activities and access to resources, and helps maintain a safe, therapeutic environment. Responsibilities also include personal care, transportation, medication supervision when permitted by program protocols, communication and documentation related to care, discharge-planning support, and participation in required meetings and training. Staff are expected to provide responsive customer service, support continuous quality improvement, and follow safety-related policies and procedures, including applicable Joint Commission standards.

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; the position may involve frequent lifting of patients.

Responsibilities

• Teach, model, and coach activities of daily living, monitor skill performance, and provide therapeutic feedback.
• Teach psychoeducation classes on recovery topics such as medication side effects, activities of daily living, communication, and stress management.
• Plan and facilitate community activities and help clients access community resources.
• Help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment through verbal de-escalation and, when authorized, other 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, and 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 applicable clinical program's protocols.
• Identify clients' food and medication allergies and take reasonable care to avoid allergen exposure.
• Communicate care, treatment, and service information with SCS staff and, as authorized, non-SCS providers.
• Take responsibility for specific program assignments as needed, such as food programs or Crisis Stabilization Unit admissions.
• Complete service and care documentation in a timely manner 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 meetings, service-planning meetings, and trainings.
• Follow policies and procedures related to safety management and other Joint Commission standards.

What This Job Offers

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