Mental Health Direct Support Professional

RHA Health Services • Claremont, NC

1d • $18

About The Position

If you are a positive and personable individual looking for a satisfying and fun opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and people facing mental health, and substance use challenges, join our team at RHA Health Services! Provides support for individuals and/or groups of persons with disabilities and challenging behavior in a community and/or residential setting. Assists the person(s) receiving services in identifying and communicating his or her requests and needs for services and supports. Implements services and supports to address the person’s goals and desired outcomes as identified through each person’s Centered Plan. Seek to understand the individuals in the context of their personal history, their social and family networks, and their hopes and dreams for the future. Relies on direction and supervision to accomplish the job. The program relies on integrated care and treatment with collaboration among all team members. The services include collaborative contacts, after hour contacts, and emergency team meetings. In this rewarding role, you will be a valued member of a care team, enabling people RHA supports identify and achieve personal goals, experience meaningful days, participate in the community, and live more independently. From one day to the next, you’ll have the opportunity to develop a relationship with the people you support as an advocate, teacher, shopping partner, role model, coach, mentor, companion, personal champion and more. As many caregivers at RHA Health Services will tell you, they came to work to make a difference for others, but ultimately found their own lives enriched through the bonds they formed with the people they support. At RHA, we provide high-quality services, excellent staff training, and opportunities for advancement within the organization. A typical day as a caregiver could include accompanying people to work, the movies, concerts, and shopping, teaching independent living skills, providing transportation to appointments, fostering positive relationships , preparing meals, assisting with personal care and bathing, helping around the home (laundry, cleaning, and decorating) and documenting the care you provide. The Direct Support role is an entry-level position that does not require any previous experience. All of the training and development needed to be successful and prepared for the position will be provided.

Requirements

• To qualify for this position a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience; or an associate’s degree with three years’ experience or high school diploma or GED and five years of experience working with individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities is preferred. This education/experience requirement may be reduced based on specific service line requirements.
• The Mental Health Direct Support Professional should be able to support someone with behavioral challenges and implement effective crisis management protocols.
• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• At least 18 years of age
• Valid drivers’ license
• Essential Job Related Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Assists with Employee Health and Safety - Seeks understanding of and follows company policy with regard to safety and emergency procedures.
• Provide copy of current auto liability insurance on personal vehicle used for transporting service users, maintaining coverage at all times, and copy of driver’s license.
• Informs supervisor immediately when any change in auto insurance agency/policy or status of driver’s license.
• Reports accidents or incidents immediately to supervisor.
• Reports all incidents of service user’s abuse, neglect or exploitation immediately to supervisor.
• Ensures confidentiality regarding sensitive material and private health information of each individual served.
• Assists with Person Centered Coaching- Assists and encourages service users to develop healthy personal and social habits.
• Supports service users in identifying and acquiring valued social roles in integrated community settings.
• Works with each individual receiving services to increase motivation; provides consistent reinforcement to learning, continuous assessment of level of functioning, and continuous feedback to each individual for all training and learning activities.
• Assists with making appointments, accessing the community for appointments and medications or supplies, when identified in the individual’s Plan of Care.
• Supports people supported in eating, resting, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, playing, and working, according to each person’s abilities and interests while ensuring privacy and dignity.
• Prepares, assists and instructs people supported in food preparation, and cleaning of residences and vocational program areas.
• Instructs and assists people supported using techniques and strategies designed to improve sensory motor and perceptual motor development, perception, memory, language, cognition, and social and emotional development.
• Works with each person receiving services to increase motivation; provides consistent reinforcement to learning, continuous assessment of level of functioning, and continuous feedback to each individual for all learning activities.
• Teaches people supported in self-medication administration according to company policy.
• Assists with Person Supported Community Life- May transport people supported to and from day programs, work sites, appointments and community activities.
• If transporting, ensures safety and support for personal needs during transportation.
• If transporting, plans, drives vehicles, escorts, leads and encourages recreational events, participates and/or instructs people supported in activities.
• Assists with Quality Management Performance- Provides assistance and support to persons supported as identified in each individual’s Plan of Care.
• This may include activities of daily living within the person supported’s home or in their local community, such as assistance with grocery shopping, budgeting , laundry, household chores, social skills, etc.
• Provides crisis response during working hours and a on-call basis.
• Protects and respects person supported rights and needs for dignified supports.
• Provides Support to Team Members and Supervisors- Confers regularly with supervisors, testing specialists, Habilitation Specialists, Qualified Professionals, Program Managers, Behavior Specialists/Behavior Analysts and other Clinical staff to understand, enhance teaching methods and consider factors such as person supported needs, abilities, learning levels, and physical limitations.
• Asks for help when not sure.
• Notifies supervisors immediately when unable to complete program tasks as outlined and/or when results or activities produce unexpected and unusual outcomes.
• Attends mandatory house meetings and may be required to attend clinical/management team meetings.
• Ensures shift change responsibilities are documented and that on-site coverage of assigned place of duty is maintained until properly relieved.
• Assists with Person Centered Plan and Outcomes- Assists in identifying supports needed for personal outcomes to be realized.
• Is familiar with and works to acchieve the goals and outcomes of the person centered plan.
• Provides opportunities for choice, and encourages people supported to make choices, and to exercise control over themselves and their environment.
• Assists with Medical Requests- Supports people with taking prescribed medications.
• Monitors dosages and makes notes in medical charts in accordance with level of medical certification training and as may be directed by authorized clinical staff.
• Assists with Data Collection and Reporting- Ensures collection & documentation of required data.
• Writes in logs, incident reports, program data sheets, etc. noting progress/events.
• Monitors and reports on the health and wellness of people supported
• Complete criminal background
• Name checked in the registries. (OIG exclusions database, Child Abuse Registry, and Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities)
• Drug testing
• Education verification and other credentialing based on position requirements.
• Proof of employment history or references (if required)
• Positions that require driving Proof of driver's license, driver's insurance, and vehicle, IF required for providing transportation for individuals.

Benefits

• Payactiv: early access to the money you’ve earned from hours you’ve already worked, before payday!
• Employee perks and discount program : to help you save money!
• Paid Time Off (full-time employees only)
• Health/Insurance (full-time employees only)
• 401(k) retirement savings program
• Wellbeing Programs: Physical, Emotional and Financial
• Chronic Disease management programs for hypertension and diabetes (for qualifying employees)
• Training: Free CPR, first aid, and job-specific training opportunities

What This Job Offers

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