Direct Support Professional- Profiles - Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm

JOB DESCRIPTION

PROFILES DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

**All applicants must have a smart phone or tablet with internet access and location capabilities.**

GENERAL STATEMENT:

While this position specifies responsibilities, requirements and duties in certain operational areas, this person is an employee at will of Independent Living Services and will be expected to respond to such requests not specifically contained herein. This person must maintain the attitude that he/she works for the total organization, and as such, exhibit proper cooperation, enthusiasm and interest in all areas deemed necessary for the continuing success of ILS programs. Knowledge of the ILS Policy and Personnel Manuals is required.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides direct services to individuals served by ILS. This person works directly under the supervision of the Day Services Program Coordinator. The DSP will be part of a team of consumers, service professionals, family members, and others identified in the Service Plan/Individual Program Plan (IPP). The DSP will provide services including supervision, training, assistance and support in identified areas of need as outlined in the IPP. Working one-on-one and in group settings, the DSP will increase the consumer's employment and life skills to positively impact each consumer's quality of life. A positive relationship with all individuals served, their family and guardians, fellow ILS staff, and others is vitally important to ensuring positive outcomes. The Direct Support Professional is a full-time (40 hours/week), Monday-Friday position. ILS reserves the right to adjust employment hours and days of operation based upon requirements to fulfill contract obligations.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

General duties and guiding principles:

Focus first on the person being served, and understand that my role in direct supports will require flexibility, creativity, and commitment.

Know and respect the values of the people I support and facilitate their expression of choices related to those values.

Provide advocacy when the individual's preferences, needs, or talents are neglected or overlooked.

Encourage growth and recognize the autonomy of the individuals receiving services while also being attentive reducing their risk of harm.

Develop relationships with the individuals I support that are respectful, based on mutual trust, and that maintains professional boundaries.

Address challenging behaviors proactively and respectfully, using methods outlined in the ILS Employee Handbook, and follow any behavior management plans in effect for specific individuals.

Help individuals I support understand and express their rights and responsibilities.

Recognize that each individual I provide services to has potential for lifelong learning and growth.

Assist the individuals I support to understand their options and the possible consequences of their options as they relate to their physical and emotional health and well being.

Be conscious of my own values and how they influence my professional decisions.

Maintain competency in my profession through continued learning and attending and being an active participant in staff meetings and trainings.

Assume responsibility and accountability for my actions and decisions.

Recognize the importance of modeling valued behaviors to co-workers, individuals receiving services, and the community at large.

Practice responsible work habits.

Daily responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Being on time for work

Completing all necessary documentation to assure compliance with all state and federal regulations. These may include, but are not limited to: daily data sheets and clinic notes, attendance logs, time records, incident reports, behavior reports, accident reports, seizure reports, etc.

Planning and conducting daily classes/activities with the consumers, where you have sole supervision and responsibility for their meeting their needs.

Guiding individuals in accomplishing their IPP objectives by demonstrating effective instruction techniques and positive reinforcement.

Assisting individuals with their individual physical needs at such times as toileting, eating, transferring, etc.

Transporting/driving consumers as needed for activities or to and from the program.

Participating in monthly evacuation drills, and assuring consumers understand what to do during the drills.

Assisting with serving consumers during lunch and breaks.

Completing scheduled cleaning and facility maintenance tasks as assigned.

Participates in all staff meetings and staff trainings as required by Profiles and ILS.

Maintains confidentiality of all information received regarding ILS and the confidentiality shall be in compliance with ILS non-disclosure policy.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and employee will also perform other reasonable related job duties as assigned.

This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Independent Living Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, religion, disability (if qualified), ethnic or national origin, marital status, or any other protected status.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to operate a vehicle and possess a valid AR driver's license in good standing and proof of vehicle liability insurance. ability to observe and record behavioral data, ability to communicate clearly with staff and consumers through use of telephone and other verbal means, possess good listening skills, ability to evaluate and determine consumer's strengths and needs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or equivalent. Experience in areas of employment directly related to the performance of this job as included in the above "Job Duties and Responsibilities" is preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read procedures and governmental regulations. Ability to write data and complete reports. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers, and the general public. Ability to observe and record programming and behavioral data.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, parentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to us hands to finder, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential junctions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally work near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS:

See Employee Handbook - Section 201 - 201A. Benefits eligibility is based on category classification and hours worked per week.

NOTE: Part-time employees working less than 30 hours weekly do not qualify for benefits.