DSP IV Lead/Charge Whiterock

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Mexia, TX

1d • $4,095 - $5,094 • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) IV, Lead/Charge DSP, performs advanced habilitative and rehabilitative care for people with developmental disabilities at a State Supported Living Center. For an assigned home and shift, the position coordinates habilitation, rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, and treatment programs related to individuals’ goals and plans. The Lead/Charge DSP assigns and supervises staff, supports safe and efficient home operations, ensures daily documentation is maintained, and provides direct care to assigned individuals. The role also trains and mentors new DSPs, coaches staff, communicates individual progress to the designated supervisor, and serves as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. The position works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment and may perform Home Supervisor duties in that supervisor’s absence.

The work includes implementing individual plans, supporting daily activities and skill development, documenting progress and incidents, maintaining a safe and sanitary living environment, responding to emergencies, supporting outings and evacuations, and observing and reporting healthcare needs. The position is based at Mexia State Supported Living Center and is not eligible for telework. It may require driving a state-owned vehicle and may involve alternate shifts or locations during disaster response or continuity-of-operations activities. The posting lists the position as full time and regular, with a day shift designation, while also noting availability across morning, evening, and night shifts on multiple homes.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP).
• Experience implementing behavior programs or assisting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with activities of daily living.
• Experience completing documentation or writing reports.
• Knowledge of individual care techniques and treatment, therapy, and developmental programs.
• Knowledge of person-centered planning.
• Skill using computers, including an electronic health record system.
• Skill communicating with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Ability to make decisions and exercise good judgment during critical incidents.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to demonstrate proper body mechanics, posture, and lifting techniques.
• Ability to provide individual care, administer first aid and/or CPR, perform Ukeru once trained, and conduct Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).
• Ability to train, mentor, and coach others and supervise their work.
• Ability to work effectively with others as part of a team, master basic individual-care and training techniques, and remain flexible with work assignments.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must pass fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks; employees are also subject to random drug testing.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; flexibility in work hours, overtime, and extended hours may be required.
• A valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 90 days after hire is preferred; an eligible driving record is required under HHSC Fleet Management policy.
• Applicants with an out-of-state driver’s license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of licensure.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP).
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience leading or supervising others.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain one no later than 90 days after hire.
• Certification in CPR, First Aid, Ukeru, and/or Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate habilitation, rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, and treatment programs for individuals in the assigned home and shift.
• Ensure Active Treatment Daily Plans are implemented and assign staff so individuals can attend activities and receive supervision and support consistent with their plans.
• Promote meaningful engagement, monitor individual participation and progress, and document and communicate information to other staff.
• Directly supervise assigned staff and maintain required daily documentation for efficient home operations.
• Provide direct care and support to assigned individuals and implement positive behavior support plans, crisis intervention plans, and skills acquisition plans.
• Ensure staff accurately enter electronic information about individuals’ daily activities, responses, training, and unusual incidents.
• Train, mentor, coach, and model proper care practices for DSP staff, including personal care, feeding, lifting and positioning, medication assistance, observation, reporting, and meaningful interaction.
• Document DSP progress in formal on-the-job training processes and report significant issues to the DSP V, Home Supervisor.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary living environment; teach and oversee infection control, risk management, hazard correction, and maintenance work-order procedures.
• Coach and lead staff to protect individuals from physical and emotional harm, recognize positive performance, and correct mistakes in real time.
• Ensure appropriate procedures and supports are followed for abuse and neglect investigations and unusual incidents, including fires, injuries, falls, seizures, restraints, peer-to-peer episodes, and unauthorized departures.
• Support staff in working with individuals who have challenging behaviors, including aggressive or self-injurious behaviors, and help prevent or manage behavior that could cause harm.
• Prepare staff for outings, provide information about individual needs and emergencies, and accompany staff and individuals on activities or in emergencies as needed.
• Observe individuals for signs of illness, injury, medication reactions, or other conditions requiring medical intervention; document observations, provide first aid as appropriate, and report significant changes.
• Administer CPR during emergency interventions.
• Lead evacuations during fires, natural disasters, emergencies, or drills; direct staff, complete required documentation, and report results to the supervisor.
• Participate in the interdisciplinary treatment team, contribute to treatment-plan development, and provide feedback on individual progress toward goals and skills.
• Perform Home Supervisor duties in the supervisor’s absence when assigned, including attending meetings and preparing reports and documentation.
• Participate in agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations Plan activities when required.
• Attend work regularly, follow assigned or rotating schedules, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time-off benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Potential additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights, weekends, and/or maximum-security locations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed