Description

Position Summary:

Working under the direction of the Residential Program Supervisor (RPS), Direct Support Professionals support individuals with disabilities who need assistance to lead self-directed lives. An emphasis is on creating a family-like environment that encourages the individuals receiving services with support to participate in traditional daily and weekly activities. Depending on the person-centered needs of the individuals, Direct Support Professionals provide assistance with living skills development, health maintenance and medication administration, personal care, and behavioral development.

Essential Duties: 

Direct Care Duties

Program Plans

• Implement Individual Program Plans and strategies as written, and at frequency stated in the plan; work with each person served on individual goals and objectives.
• Understand and follow Risk Management Plans as applicable.

Personal Cares

Help individuals receiving services with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, and toileting; assist individuals with their mobility including lifting from seated or lying down position, helping individuals walk and maintain stability.

Assist individuals with skill development and the completion of daily living tasks.  

Skill Development

• Active involvement with individuals in goal activities at the place of residence and in the community.
• Help individuals receiving services develop living skills such as cooking, money management, household shopping, doing laundry, personal hygiene, etc.
• Provide input and feedback with regard to programs and care plans.

Behavior Development

• Accurately implement formal and informal behavior programming.
• Serve as a role model and mentor; demonstrating desired behaviors, and coaching individuals using approved techniques and strategies.
• If applicable to the individual, apply therapeutic intervention techniques as needed to individuals with verbal or physical aggression.

Advocacy and Community Living

• Active involvement with residents in community settings (i.e. shopping, transportation, and oneon-one and group outings); schedule, plan, implement, and coordinate activities.
• Assist individuals receiving services with achieving personal goals; works on behalf of individuals to overcome barriers; help individuals participate in activities of their choice; respect individuals’ personal beliefs, choices, and interests.
• Support each individual’s existing relationships, and increase their network of friends and acquaintances.

Written Records

Accurately complete, maintain, and submit all documentation as required by regulations, licensing agencies, and Residential Program Supervisor.

Health Maintenance

• Provide cares and assistance to promote good health; help individuals receive medical care and communicate with medical professionals; records information regarding health events, conditions, and status; provides First Aid/CPR and seek medical care when needed.
• Administers medications according to physician instructions and orders and in accordance with Range Center, Inc. Policies and Procedures. 
• Monitor and apply nutritional programming by providing a well-balanced diet prepared to meet individual needs.
• Monitor and document health conditions: routine reporting and follow-up in narrative notes, heights, weights, temperature, blood pressure, etc.

Other

Transport individuals (adhering to all safety policies and laws) as needed to meet objectives and individual or family needs.

Communicate information regarding each individual to appropriate team members.

Other duties as assigned.

Household Duties

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Provide a clean, safe, comfortable environment for each person.
• Assist individuals with household shopping and maintenance as necessary; completing tasks that are beyond the individuals’ abilities, providing ongoing opportunities for individuals to assume increasing control and responsibility including minor maintenance, outside maintenance, laundry, cooking, etc.
• Assist in assuring van maintenance is being done regularly.
• Communicate any maintenance or household needs to appropriate staff; obtaining supplies or groceries if not available when needed.

Safety

• Ensure safety and wellbeing of individual at all times.
• Conduct routine fire drills and ensure exiting of individual in all emergencies.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe work environment, addressing and/or reporting safety concerns as they arise.
• Ensure all exits are clear (clutter, snow, ice).

Professional Duties

• Adhere to Maltreatment of a Vulnerable Adult reporting procedures.
• Supervise individuals at all times to ensure programming and optimum quality of life.
• Remain awake on all designated awake shifts.
• Work as scheduled, arriving on time and staying to end of shift until relief staff are on duty or Management personnel has given approval to leave. 
• Obtain and maintain all required certifications such as Medication Administration, CPR/FA, etc.  as required by regulation and Range Center, Inc. Policies and Procedures.
• Meet all staff development, monthly program/house staff meetings, and training requirements; complete, document, and submit in-service hours as required by regulatory entities.
• Pursue opportunities for professional growth and share knowledge and resources with others.
• Act in a professional manner and communicate effectively with others; supporting and contributing to an environment of trust, sharing, growth and mutual support; maintaining positive interpersonal relationships with co-workers by providing feedback as appropriate.
• Focus on the individual rather than the disability.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information about each person, their families, and the organization.
• Adhere to Employee Conduct Expectations and other Range Center, Inc. Policies and Procedures.
• Accurately complete personnel documentation such as timecards, request for time off, etc.
• Conduct and present yourself competently while on Range Center, Inc. business, both in the program/home and in the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Valid Minnesota driver’s license (or obtained within 30 days). Must maintain driving record that meets criteria for insurability at Range Center, Inc.
• Ability to pass a criminal background study through Minnesota’s Department of Human Services Netstudy 2.0  
• Must be at least 18 years of age (required for driving and Medication Administration).
• Negative reading on Mantoux test, negative chest X-ray, or physician’s certification of noncontagious status before providing direct care.
• Basic computer skills.
• Demonstrated ability to read and effectively respond to work related materials.
• Must be able to push, lift, and transfer individuals weighing more than 50 pounds with two person assist and/or mechanical lifts repeatedly throughout the shift as individual needs warrant. Must be able to perform regular household lifting.
• Physical examination may be requested by Range Center, Inc.
• Recommendation for employment by Residential Program Supervisor, Program Director, and upon review and approval by Board of Directors.

Working Conditions

While working as a Direct Support Professional, employees may be required to handle the following conditions:

• Unconventional schedules.
• Possible exposure to blood borne pathogens. 
• Possible exposure to profanity, violent behavior and/or offensive behavior from individuals receiving services.
• Continuously use hands for simple and firm grasping and fine manipulation.
• Continuously be able to manage and cope in sometimes stressful situations. 
• Frequently the employee will be required to:
  • Lift and carry 25 – 100 lbs.
  • Twist upper body
  • Push/pull     
  • Bend
  • Squat, kneel, stoop

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands may vary for each person served.