Enhanced Direct Support Professional

Mainstay Life Services•Scott Township, PA

9h•$23 - $23

About The Position

Enhanced Direct Support Professionals working in the Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) Program play an important role in our unique program that blends careful meal planning with physical exercise within a meaningful community living environment. This contributes to fulfilling the mission of Mainstay, which is to provide life-long, high-quality support services, ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities and autism lead fulfilling lives and realize their vision of a desirable future. The professional does this by supporting people with daily activities such as preparing meals, administering medication, and providing transportation to work or community activities to promote socially valued roles and independence. The specialist offers direct care, support, and services to people with intellectual disabilities and autism in daily living, social, and recreational activities.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age.
Valid driver's license required.
Eligibility for Act 33/34 clearances.
Pre-employment drug screen required.
High School Diploma/GED
Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field preferred, and one year experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, and/or Prader-Willi Syndrome -OR- high school diploma and two years’ experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities and autism or related field, and/or Prader-Willi Syndrome accepted.

Nice To Haves

Experience with adaptive equipment preferred.

Responsibilities

Providing Supports, Interventions & Services to Individuals: Supporting individuals with typical daily activities. Supporting effective communication. Assessing needs for needed interventions and supports. Providing crisis prevention and intervention services.
Maintaining Health & Safety of the Individuals: Monitoring food intake and implementation of a PWS specific low-calorie diet. Assisting the person supported with activities of daily living such as grooming, bathing, dressing, etc. Implementing positive behavior support strategies to manage complex, challenging behaviors to support positive behavior and outcomes. Participating in additional learning opportunities related to supporting a person with PWS. Offering individuals both emotional and physical support for maximum independence & community inclusion. Supporting overall health and wellness for individuals (such as daily exercise, healthy eating, actively engaging with life around them or life in their neighborhood or community, etc.). Safely and effectively managing and administering medications in accordance with all Federal, State, and local regulations, as well as all Mainstay policies and procedures. Demonstrating the principles and values that produce fair and honest behavior; stepping forward and taking a stand for what is right when made aware of unethical actions or conduct below standards; consistently complying with all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations, policies, and procedures, and reporting any concerns about compliance or business practices. Completing all required annual training including compliance and integrity training.
Engaging Individuals in Socially Values Roles: Supporting individuals in building a network of community support/inclusion. Advocating for individuals while striving for maximum independence and community inclusion. Empowering Individuals to make their own choices. Offering education, training, and self-development for individuals in accordance with the ISP. Building and maintaining relationships with important people in the individual's life (family, friends, supporters, etc.). Offering individuals both emotional and physical support for maximum independence & community inclusion. Supporting the individual to engage/participate in community and organizational activities. Care for individuals with dignity and respect while giving individuals an opportunity to exercise choice. Encourage, guide and train individuals to develop competencies, including daily living skills and interpersonal skills.
Documentation & Administrative Requirements: Maintain confidentiality of all individuals’ information. Maintaining the content, integrity, and security of all documentation, whether in paper or electronic format, that comprises the health and care record(s) of service and support delivered. All documentation must include language that is person centered, 9and trauma informed. Demonstrating proficiency in the use of technology in documentation (including but not limited to electronic client records software, Microsoft Office, email, payroll, time keeping, etc.). Accurately and thoroughly completes and submits timely, all required documentation in accordance with organization, program, and payer specific, policies, practices, procedures, and guidelines. Communicate information, problems, and concerns with supervisors and peers, as necessary.
Programming: Assess and evaluate individuals’ behaviors and skills. Implement individuals’ outcome action plans outlined in the Individual Support Plan (ISP), as part of an interdisciplinary team. Complete written service notes and report billing hours as directed.
Professional Responsibilities: Attend and actively participate in scheduled, mandatory staff meetings and meetings with the individuals’ support team, as necessary. Maintain appropriate professional conduct and dress. Participate productively and cooperatively on the staff team, with individuals, with individuals’ family members, the community, vocational providers, and educational providers. Follow the agency’s Code of Conduct. Assist in training new staff.
Miscellaneous: Responsible for the completion of other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Associate Coordinator, and Program Coordinator.