Direct Support Professional

Developmental Support Specialist

To support developmentally disabled participants in their development of basic living and social skills with the primary goal of integrating them into the community to the best of their ability and providing the highest quality of life with the support. This is a non-exempt position.

Responsible for assisting with daily living activities during the day, evening, and/or weekend hours within a home for participants with developmental disabilities. Responsibilities include implementing programs as determined by the participant's planning team, attending to health and medical needs, following general and specific behavior management practices, some meal preparation for the day, completing preventive maintenance, cleaning duties, laundry, and maintaining accurate records of services provided.

Program Services (45%)

• Provides opportunities for daily activities and encourages participants to experience a full life (e.g. grocery shopping and/or snack shopping, going to movies, enjoying hobbies, attending community events.) Some activities may require staff attendance also, such as assisting participants in the swimming pool (lifeguard present); therefore, staff may be required to wear a bathing suit and swim with them.
• Assists participants to direct their own lives, providing support and information necessary for good decision making.
• Completes household operations, including but not limited to: cooking, cleaning, laundry, ordering groceries and supplies as necessary.
• Assists with meal preparation and cleaning in accordance with the participant's plan.
• Maintains a clean and orderly environment by performing general clean up duties.
• Serves as a role model at meal time (sits at the table and assists, role modeling table manners, serving family-style and eating with the participants.)
• Provide some assistance with maintaining contact with natural supports (i.e. family, friends, co-workers, church congregation, community members, etc.).
• Identifies and responds to participant needs in emotional and social areas; however, intervention in these areas does not fall within the meaning of psychotherapy.
• Respects participants' boundaries (e.g. privacy, personal space, demonstrating appropriate interactions with staff such as shaking hands or high fives vs. hugging, etc.)
• Teaches alternative ways to show affection such as shaking hands, side hugs, high fives etc.
• Teaches self-advocacy, rights, and responsibilities.
• Acts as an advocate for participants supported when necessary.
• Assists with personal care and grooming specific to each participant's plan.
• Acts as a role model by dressing and acting appropriate to each activity in daily living.
• Uses respectful language when communicating with the participants.
• Exhibits sound judgment and stress management in a variety of situations.
• Teaches financial responsibilities as they pertain to each participant, including to help participants pay their monthly bills as received.
• Manages participant finances per established procedures from Benefits Specialist.
• Ensures checking accounts are accurate and up to date each day that you work.
• Understands, implements, and complies with all policies, procedures; as well as all rules and regulations of licensing agencies.
• Attends all mandatory in-services and meets annual training requirements.
• Advocates for the needs of the participants residing within the home.

Health and Safety (10%)

• Maintain a safe environment for the participants; prevent harm to themselves or others
• Assists with fire drills, tornado drills, and other safety areas specific to each participant.
• Follows dietary recommendations specific to each participant you assist, when preparing meals, assists with feeding and following healthy lifestyle recommendations specific to the participant's diagnosis (i.e. high cholesterol, diabetic, high blood pressure etc.)
• Observes and monitors for health and safety concerns at home, work, or in the community (e.g. safe administration of medications, pedestrian safety, etc.)
• Assists each participant with identifying potential risks, at home, work and in the community. (e.g. pedestrian safety, personal care, safe administration of medications, sexuality)
• Assists the participants to develop a plan and provide teaching to ensure the participants' safety.
• Adheres to all safety policies and procedures, fosters awareness and actions that promote a safe living and working environment.
• Follows established lifting and transfer guidelines and adheres to proper lifting techniques and body mechanics.
• Performs tasks, which fall within Category II of infection control; may include exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue.

Communication (15%)

• Ability to read, understand and implement each participant's Individual Support Plan (ISP), to include, but not limited to: Behavior Support Plans, and Goals- ISP programs, Rights Restrictions and Restoration Plans, and all other documentation required in the Individual Support Plan.
• Writes General Event Reports (GERs) as they arise. Reports can be done through utilization of software or a written report form and/or computer IR database system.
• Documents in software necessary information in each participant's Individual Home Page each day that you work.
• Creates documentation in the Communication log, medical log, and overnight log (when applicable).
• Verbally communicates with staff, participants, guardians, community members and other service providers.
• Reports concerns to Team Leader, Residential Services Director, Assistant Residential Director, Services and Supports Director, and/or RN as needed, in accordance with the agencies reporting procedures and chain of command.
• Uses respectful language when communicating with the participants you are supporting.

Customer/Human Relations: (30%)

• Serves as a role model and mentor for behavior development, demonstrating the desired behaviors, and using approved techniques and strategies outlined in policy; uses approved Safety Care techniques when necessary.
• Displays cooperative, supportive and positive conduct and presents self as an effective role model and to the participants.
• Communicates effectively with participants, staff, families, interdisciplinary team members, and the community both verbally and in writing.
• Develops and maintains a positive and effective relationship with service recipients, families, community members, staff, department heads, and administration.

Requirements

• Minimum of 18 years of age with a high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid driving license and must be insurable by the agency insurance carrier.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus if required to drive a company vehicle.
• Ability to meet training requirements in accordance with Federal, State, and local standards, as well as organizational policies and procedures per ARSD guidelines.
• Ability to complete and pass training in Medication Certification to become properly authorized and certified to supervise participants in taking medications as prescribed by the physician.
• Able to read, write, and speak the English language in an understandable manner.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.
• Ability to assist participants served with transferring utilizing lifts, mobility reinforcement (one and/or two staff assist) utilizing gait belt.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule, which may include working weekends and holidays.
• Capable of working with developmentally disabled participants by communicating verbally or in other manners to instruct, demonstrate, train, and work cooperatively.
• Must pass a background check that meets policy.
• Must pass a post-offer drug test with negative results.
• Ability to lift 50 to 60 lbs. and stand/walk for 75% of their shift.
• Ability to use vision at 20 in. or less and 20 ft. or more.
• Depth perception that allows for judging distance and space.
• Must be able to perform lifting, moving, flexing, bending, pushing, pulling, crouching, and kneeling, squatting, reaching above shoulders, and use of hand/wrist to support weight occasionally.
• Ability to complete gross and fine motor activities with hands and fingers frequently.
• Pushing wheelchairs and able to assist participants with mobility.