Direct Support Professional (12-hour shifts)

PURPOSE:

The primary responsibility of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) is to provide care and to teach skills and behaviors to maximize independence in activities of daily living for persons served.  Specific duties include;

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assisting persons served to increase their independence and exercise their rights by teaching skills in various activities of daily living, (self-care, care of the household, communication, leisure and physical activities) according to formal plans and as natural teaching opportunities arise, using informal teaching techniques/procedures.
2. Assisting persons served to reduce maladaptive behaviors and to learn appropriate replacement behaviors by implementing approved behavior management procedures, according to formal plans and as natural teaching opportunities arise.
3. Assist in maintaining health, hygiene and grooming of persons served by teaching new skills, implementing first aid as needed, health care and hygiene techniques according to instructions or plans and if properly certified by administering medications according to stated policies and procedures.
4. Documenting care/assistance provided behavior management and teaching techniques implemented and compliance with various health and active treatment standards through accurate and timely completion of forms, records, checklists and schedules.
5. Providing active treatment by continually engaging persons served in age-appropriate, functional activities and when possible encouraging community access activities.
6. Working with persons served to endure the home is kept clean and safe, by engaging in light housekeeping duties, including laundry, cooking, and cleaning.
7. Support the mission, vision and values of Village Northwest Unlimited.
8. Willingness to perform other duties assigned by the Residential Leader or his/her designee.
9. Ability to be to work on time and stay for the full shift.
10. Ability to pass medication if holding CMA certification, to VNU standards. If not currently holding a CMA certificate demonstrate willingness to obtain CMA certification.
11. In addition, Night DSP’s, must be able to stay awake all night, ensuring a safe, secure and quiet environment for persons served, providing scheduled and unscheduled care as needed and performing light housekeeping duties.
12. Additional responsibilities will be assigned as circumstances warrant.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. One or two years of experience of a similar scope is preferred.
2. Computer skills to document required items electronically.
3. Ability to report to work on time for required shifts.
4. Ability to recognize natural teaching opportunities and act upon them.
5. Ability to perform all aspects of personal cares with sensitivity and caring.
6. Ability to diminish maladaptive (sometimes aggressive) behaviors while maintaining calm and composure.
7. Ability to communicate through verbal and written mediums.
8. Ability to observe, ask questions, listen actively, and provide and receive feedback effectively.
9. Flexibility in assigned working hours and location.
10. Ability to pass training classes and maintain any skills and certifications needed and pass all required annual trainings.
11. Ability to lift or move items over 55 pounds and perform unassisted transfers of disabled adults with adaptive equipment (lift belts, Hoyer lifts, etc.)
12. Ability to perform behavior management and physical support techniques (lifting, bending, stooping, reaching, blocking, grapping, walking).