Direct Support Professional

POSITION DESCRIPTION

A Direct Support Professional helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live independently and have a quality of life. Their job duties vary based on the needs of the person they support, but can include:

• Caregiving: Assisting with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation

• Advocacy: Working with the person they support to access community resources and opportunities, and to customize job duties

• Emotional support: Providing counseling and crisis intervention

• Transportation: Providing transportation to appointments, social outings, and other activities

• Housekeeping: Completing housekeeping tasks, such as vacuuming, washing dishes, and tidying

• Behavior plans: Developing behavioral management plans with your case manager

• Medical records: Maintaining medical records and medication logs

• Documentation: Maintaining regular paperwork, including service notes, quarterly progress notes and assessments

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Possess a High school diploma or equivalent.

• At least One (1) or more year’s previous experience with persons having autism, developmental disabilities and/or senior citizens preferred.

• A Valid driver’s license in the state of residence and acceptable driving record required or state related work clearances.

To perform this position successfully, a Direct Support Professional must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable associates with disabilities to perform the essential function.

SATISFACTION OF INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTED

The satisfaction of the individuals supported through Achievable Home Care is essential. Direct Support Professionals are expected to assist and communicate in a courteous and respectful manner to individuals, family members and others at all times. Satisfaction of an individual being supported by Achievable Home Care includes but is not limited to:

• To understand and maintain the rights of the persons being supported, including confidentiality and the right to privacy.

• Demonstrate respect for persons supported in all interactions by developing therapeutic rapport.

• Read, learn and implement individuals ISP

• Participate and provide input into annual plan development.

• Participate and provide input into the development of Strengths/Needs List.

• Assist individuals with personal care activities. (ie. Bathing, dressing, restroom use, etc) Check regularly for needed personal care items.

• Assist in providing goal ideas.

• Train with the supervisor on how to implement and document goals.

• Implement training received on documentation of goals/supports.

• Implement and document goals.

• Comply with the individual's Behavior Plan, if applicable.

• Implement Behavior Support Plan.

• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings/ team meetings as assigned.

• Comply with the agency’s Incident Management policy and cooperate with the incident investigation process.

• Assist individuals with food preparation. Follow menus (as identified).

• Assist individuals with housekeeping activities (cleaning, laundry, pet care, etc.).

• Participate in shopping and banking processes with individual participants.

• Provide supervisor with data on clinical status of individuals and may attend psychiatric appointments.

• Plan and participate with individuals for community and recreation activities and document per regulation requirements.

• Follow the Medication Administration Policy and Procedures. Accurately administer medications and monitor those who self-administer. Follow the protocol to obtain medications and the protocol for notification of medical appointment outcomes.

• Accompany individuals on appointments, as assigned. If assigned by supervisor or Case Manager regarding a medical appointment, take responsibility to ensure that team members are made aware of the new or continuing prescription provided by the doctor and ensure the prescription(if applicable) is taken to the designated pharmacy to be filled. Once medication has been obtained, ensure medication is documented and stored according to the medication protocol.

• Act as a role model for individuals supported and others.

• Understand and maintain professional communication and courtesy with all persons supported and their family members, associates, and others according to agency Communication and Courtesy Standard. Use appropriate agency procedures for reporting concerns and/or complaints.

• Answer and refer telephone calls or other inquiries to ensure accurate and timely communications are facilitated. Identify yourself in a pleasant and positive manner. Take responsibility for helping the caller.

• Contact family members for routine matters (As Designated by Supervisor) Refer non-routine matters to supervisor.

• Assist in maintaining effective professional relationships with internal and external sources.

• Ensure and safeguard confidential treatment of consumer protected health information in written oral and electronic form, maintained and obtained during your work with Achievable Home Care, LLC.

• Share information gained in your relationship with a consumer with only those appropriate persons specifically concerned with the participant and for the purpose of carrying out treatment, payment, or health care operations.

• Perform all duties in accordance with agency policies, the individual support plan (ISP), service authorization and as required by appropriate licensing regulations. Perform all other related duties within the scope of the position as needed.

• Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns. Use appropriate agency procedures for reporting concerns and/or complaints.

• Investigate and follow through on requests for service or information by first checking with your supervisor.

• Follow proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and incidents so follow-up and/or prevention can occur

TEAMWORK

• Consistently work in a positive and cooperative manner with others.

• Take responsibility for your actions.

• Assist other team members in the performance of their assignments.

• Seek out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked.

• Consider the impact of your actions on others throughout the agency.

• Take direction and initiate actions (cross/additional training) that will allow the assumption of cross-functional duties to ensure seamless support to individuals.

• Demonstrate flexibility to perform duties wherever necessary within the department, as requested by your supervisor.

• Participate in meetings as requested by your supervisor.

DOCUMENTATION

• Service Notes- is an essential document, to your duty as a DSP. Service notes must be submitted each week for review, to be compensated. The service note is completed by the Direct Support Professional the same day that services are rendered to the individual and is used to document the provision of a service and the activities that occurred that day. Services notes must accurately document and report all changes to the health, safety and well-being of the individual receiving care.

• DSP shall save all individuals's funds and receipts

• Document data in accordance with the individual's behavior plan and ISP.

• Document mileage timely as assigned (for those pre approved to utilize personal vehicles)

• Complete an incident report for unusual incidents that occur, or when required to by the supervisor.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Participate in the orientation, training and development provided by the supervisor.

• Attend and successfully complete required training classes.

• Follow department training policy.

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and ability to reference them from appropriate books and manuals.

SAFETY

• Comply with the agency's infection control policies and procedures including the Exposure Control Plan, which reflects OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and COVID-19, to ensure a safe working environment for self and others.

• Immediately report all work-related and personal injuries and accidents to the on-call number after hours, your Supervisor and Director.

• Accept and follow established safety regulations and procedures.

• Promote accident prevention activities.

• Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor. Follow emergency procedures.

• Maintain keys issued in a secure place; do not copy. If lost, report immediately to your supervisor or On-Call Officer.

• Comply with agency policy regarding prohibited use and restrictions related to alcohol and drugs, smoking and visitors.

ATTENDANCE

• Work all scheduled shifts, as well as complete your work assignments in a positive, acceptable manner.

• Perform all aspects of work time accounting in a truthful and timely manner.

• Ensure that you clock in and out for all shifts, training and time worked

• Follow proper procedures for reporting absences according to your supervisor’s instructions and the Associate Handbook guideline.

• Obtain your supervisor’s pre-approval to work overtime and for use of sick, vacation time.

• Report all absences, late arrivals, or early departures to your supervisor at least five hours prior to your designated shift start time. You must speak directly with your supervisor to obtain approval. If your supervisor is not available, follow the chain of command by contacting the next person up to and including the Program Manager or Director until you are able to speak directly with a supervisor. Leave a message at each point and leave your telephone number, if unable to speak directly, and continue your attempts to reach a supervisor. If you are calling after business hours or on weekends, you must notify the On-Call Officer. (AT NO TIME is an individual to be left unattended )
• Report to your supervisor/ manager and Director for proper paperwork clearance from your treating physician for any absence resulting from physical limitations (usually a letter questionnaire and physical capabilities form).

• If you call out due to illness, you may be asked to bring a doctor’s note before returning to work. The doctor’s note must specify that you were unable to work due to illness and the exact date(s) excused from work.

• Absences not related to illness must be pre-approved by the Supervisor or Residential Manager. Immediately report absences to your supervisor who will report any absence related to physical limitations and absences of three or more days to the Director.

• Tardiness and leaving early will be counted towards absenteeism.

EQUALITY OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Achievable Home Care LLC’s Personnel, services, hiring, policies, procedures and practices are designed to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Achievable Home Care LLC prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.

Achievable Home Care LLC is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is our policy not to discriminate against any qualified employee or applicant with regard to any terms or conditions of employment because of such an individual's disability. Consistent with this policy of non-discrimination, the Company will provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability, as defined in the ADA, who has made the Company aware of his or her disability, provided such accommodation does not constitute an undue hardship to the Company.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Paid training

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Customer service: 1 year (Preferred)
• Working with individuals with Autism: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• CNA (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)
• Night Shift (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Thornton, PA 19373: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $20