Direct Support Specialist - Mt Claire

Seven Counties Services•Louisville, KY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves teaching, modeling, and coaching individuals in activities of daily living (ADL) such as personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, and money management. The specialist will also teach psychoeducation classes on recovery topics, plan and facilitate community-based activities, and serve as an ambassador for the organization by integrating clients into the community and educating the public about disabilities and the organization's services. Collaboration with community systems, providing transportation, and offering personal care are also key functions. The role requires administering First Aid and CPR, supervising self-administered medication, identifying and avoiding food/medication allergies, and communicating relevant information to staff and authorized providers. Documentation of services, maintaining confidentiality, assisting with discharge planning, and supporting training needs of other staff are also part of the responsibilities. The position requires attending all required meetings and trainings.

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 judgment.
Position involves considerable physical exertion, lifting a maximum of 100 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
May include frequent lifting of patients.
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 other Joint Commission standards.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) including personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, and educational/vocational goal-setting.
Monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.
Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery topics such as medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, and stress management strategies.
Plans and facilitates community-based activities like medical appointments, grocery shopping, and leisure/recreation/socialization.
Facilitates access to community resources such as AA/NA meetings, school, and job placement.
Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and authorized behavior management techniques.
Serves as an ambassador for the organization and its clients 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, including school, landlords, family, transportation providers, and employers.
Provides transportation using an organization van or personal vehicle, adhering to safety practices.
Teaches and facilitates the use of public transportation systems.
Provides personal care as needed, including personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, and safe eating techniques.
Administers First Aid and CPR as needed.
Supervises self-administered medication according to specific clinical program 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 staff and authorized non-staff providers.
May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program, such as food programs or admissions at the Crisis Stabilization Unit.
Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms.
Maintains confidentiality of protected health information.
Assists 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.