Direct Support Professional (DSP) ARC

St. James Parish Government  is hiring a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for the ARC in the Department of Human Services.

JOB FUNCTION: DSP is responsible the overall program services of the enrolled clients. DSP primary function is the interacting with clients daily, caring for their personal and developmental/functional needs, contributing to the development of vocational skills, and communicating with the families/caretakers. This position is classified as non-­essential during declared emergencies or natural disasters and non-exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific:

1.   Communicate to the clients, their families/caretakers, and the public the intent, purpose, and functions of the St. James Arc.

2.   Help to recruit potential clients.

3.   Plan, organize, and provide services to the clients of the ARC.

4.   Communicate goals and objectives for serving clients in accordance with their care plans.

5.   Evaluate, communicate, and respond to the performance of clients

6.   Attend training as directed, and implement strategies and skills learned.

7.   Ensure timely record-keeping and reporting of Medicaid services provided to clients as required.

8.   Provide services and assist the ARC Supervisor in filing claims as instructed.

9.   Communicate client needs/concerns to the Supervisor, Director, or Assistant Director, and families/caregivers, and other entities as directed.

10. Communicate Center needs/changes/actions to the ARC Supervisor.

General:

1.  Arrive at work prior to the arrival of the first client.

2.  Remain at work until the dismissal of all clients, and the completion of daily recordkeeping requirements.

3.  Maintain professional demeanor in dress and action when dealings with clients, staff, Executive Board Members, community partners, and family/caregivers.

4.  Maintain confidentiality with all client and personnel issues/information.

5.  Refrain from interaction with social media regarding the ARC.

6.  Refrain from engaging in personal electronic communications during work hours.

7.  Follow the appropriate chain of command in dealing with clients and staff.

8.  Represent the St. James ARC with respect when in community interaction.

9.  Seek and attend professional development opportunities; attend required training.

10. Maintain a safe, clean, inviting environment for the clients and staff.

11. Maintain appropriate personal hygiene of the clients.

12. Address and respond to clients with respect and concern.

13. Perform all other job responsibilities assigned.

Physical Requirements:

A Direct Support Professional must be physically able to:

·    Handle the positioning and transitioning of clients on a daily basis.

·    Assist clients with self-help needs.

·    Feed clients.

·    Attend to the personal needs of the clients.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Hold a High School Diploma or the equivalent. Have two years of experience in special education or a human service field. Pass a federal background check. Be sensitive to the needs of citizens with disabilities and their families. Must have basic computer skills, excellent verbal and written communication. Must have a valid LA Class "D" driver's license.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Hold a High School Diploma or the equivalent. Have two years of experience in special education or a human service field. Pass a units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software.

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.

Must be physically able to:

·    Handle the positioning and transitioning of clients on a daily basis.

·    Assist clients with self-help needs.

·    Feed clients.

·    Attend to the personal needs of the clients.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and 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 functions.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. 

St. James Parish is committed to providing equal employment opportunities.  The parish will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis including, but not limited to veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, agree or political affiliations.