Direct Support Professional

Listening Ear Crisis Center is a private nonprofit, United Way human service agency based in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, serving mid and northern Michigan. Since 1969, we have grown from a 24-hour crisis service supporting 200 people to a multi-service organization assisting over 30,000 individuals annually. Licensed by the State of Michigan and accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Families and Children, we are committed to offering hope, support, and advocacy through quality services and safe, affordable housing. Guided by our mission to improve lives, we focus on what people can do, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Position Summary: Direct Support Professionals (DSP) are responsible for the daily supervision and support in all daily living activities of consumers as identified in the consumers Person Centered Plan. These activities regularly include preparing meals, assisting with eating meals, personal care, bathing, dressing, restroom assistance, administering medications, transferring, and transporting to daily activities and medical appointments. All functions are performed with strict adherence to the applicable Michigan Health Code, MDHHS regulations, and contractual obligations between Listening Ear and community agencies or the State of Michigan.

Reporting and Supervision

DSPs report to the Assistant Home Manager or Home Manager of their assigned location.

Essential Job Functions

• Engage with consumers and the Home Manager or other designated staff to identify and implement activities required under the consumers Person Centered Plan.
• Perform all Person Centered Plan prescribed activities including, but not limited to, meal preparation, clean-up, consumer hygiene, passing medications, consumer recreation activities, and transporting consumers to and from appointments in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, agreements, and Listening Ear standards.
• Accurate and timely completion and delivery of all necessary or required documentation relating to consumer services or home operations.
• Attend and successfully complete all mandatory training and skill development programs, including annual refresher trainings as required.
• Report punctually to work and remain with consumer until relieved from duty by another DSP or supervisor.

This is not an exhaustive list of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described. Other relevant duties, tasks, or requirements may be assigned to this job any time at the sole discretion of the employer.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must possess or acquire a working knowledge of laws, regulations, and methodologies relevant to working with varying degrees of mentally disabled adults including, but not limited to:

• Recipient Rights
• Agency Ethics and the Consumer Bill of Rights
• Person Centered Plans
• CPR
• First Aid
• Safety and fire prevention
• Nutrition
• Prevention of communicable diseases
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to respond to emergency situations in a controlled manner
• Work with professionalism, including empathy, patience, and cultural sensitivity
• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license and good driving record

Education and Experience

• Required: High School Diploma, GED, or be functionally equivalent in reading and writing in English, and basic math. Must be at least 18 years of age at the time employment begins.
• Preferred: Prior experience in a caregiving capacity with a licensed care facility. Post-secondary certification from an accredited Community College or other relevant training program.

Physical and Other Requirements

• Over an 8-hour period: Prolonged standing, regular or intermittent lifting and reaching above shoulders, pulling and pushing, bending at waist, twisting torso, kneeling, walking.
• Ability to lift, carry, and place up to 50#.

All conditional job offers for DSP candidates will require a physical examination by an occupational health clinic, which includes a lifting component and TB test, as well as required criminal background checks.

Schedule, Travel Expectations, Working Conditions

• Full-time DSPs can generally expect 40-hour work schedules, with additional hours when necessary to meet the needs of consumers. Additional hours may be planned or unplanned depending upon circumstances.
• Part-time DSPs can expect a more disparate work schedule, though only slightly less structured, generally between 20 and 29 hours per week. Additional hours or shifts may be planned or unplanned depending upon circumstances.
• DSP schedules will remain consistent as to days of the week and/or shifts worked to the extent possible.
• DSP jobs are not eligible for a remote work option.
• DSPs may be expected to travel to attend required training programs, either at agency facilities or conducted at venues apart from Listening Ear facilities. No overnight travel is expected.