Direct Support Specialist

Direct Support Specialist

Assists individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities to lead an independent life; assists with activities of daily living and encourages attitudes and behaviors that enhance community inclusion.

Responsibilities and essential duties include but are not limited to the following as well as any other duties as assigned by supervisory staff:

• Implement and assist individuals with completion of goals.
• Provide assistance in daily activities, which may include bathing, feeding, cooking, and toileting.
• Ensure optimal physical/mental health by assisting individuals with scheduled medical/psychiatric appointments, monitoring medication supply and administering medication, following prescribed diets, and treatment/behavior plans.
• Utilize personal control techniques, when necessary, to ensure safety to individual and others.
• Ensure a safe and healthy living environment through routine facility inspections, disinfecting and maintenance of the facility.
• Provide safe transportation to and from work/day program services, scheduled appointments, and recreational activities.
• Report all incidents, including allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, injury and other reportable incidents immediately upon discovery.
• Monitor individual's daily activity through documentation in progress notes, ICL, and verbal communication with supervisors and co-workers.
• Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings as required.
• Monitor own time card to ensure correct recording of hours worked, and use of benefit time.
• Adhere to all Agency policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

*The employee must successfully complete and demonstrate proficiency in all areas of required training and essential duties to include the following; but not limited to:

• American Red Cross Adult Adult First Aid/CPR and recertification every two years.
• Agency approved Crisis Management and recertification annually.
• Initial Medication Administration with on-site competency assessment and annually thereafter.
• Initial Preventing Abuse and Neglect with on-site competency assessment and annually thereafter.
• Positive Behavior Supports.
• 12 hours of professional development annually per calendar year prorated at one hour per month.
• Specialized Training as required.
• The employee shall be 18 years of age or older and possess a driver's license valid in the State of New Jersey (probational licenses are not accepted).
• The employee must submit to a criminal background check, and be determined to be not disqualified by the Department of Human Services prior to working with individuals.
• The employee must agree to have their name checked against the Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.
• The employees hired after 6/15/2018 shall submit to drug testing prior to employment.
• All direct care employees shall submit to drug testing conducted randomly and for cause.
• All employees shall complete an application to have their name checked against the Child Abuse Registry Information (CARI);
• All employees must demonstrate successful completion of a Pre-employment physical; Pre-employment tuberculosis test as required by The State of New Jersey Department of Human Services.
• Clearance based on a 3-year and annual motor vehicle abstract assessment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Salary: $20.25

Benefit Description:

Eligible employees may participate in the health insurance plan subject to all terms and conditions of the agreement between Capitol Care and the insurance carrier. Health insurance is offered to eligible employees and will be effective on their ninetieth day of employment. Dental and Vision benefits are offered after the eligible employee's sixth month of employment. Upon initial eligibility (complete their initial 90 days of employment), non-exempt regular full-time employees are eligible to accrue 3.08 hours of vacation time after completion of 80 hours of work (or 2x weekly standard work week). Eligible employees who are employed by the Agency on January 1 of each year shall have 40 hours of paid sick time available (after 90 days of total employment) for use throughout the benefit year. Employees hired after January 1 shall accrue paid sick leave at the rate of one (1) hour for every thirty (30) hours worked, up to a maximum of forty (40) hours per year, which paid sick leave they are eligible to use after 90 days of employment. Capitol Care provides Life Insurance to full-time employees that attain three years of continuous service (40 hours or more per week).