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 programservices of the enrolled clients. DSP primary function is the interacting withclients daily, caring for their personal and developmental / functional needs,contributing to the development of vocational skills, and communicating withthe families / caretakers. This position is classified as non-essential duringdeclared emergencies or natural disasters and non-exempt according to the FairLabor Standards Act.

ESSENTIAL DUTIESAND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Specific :

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

2. Helpto recruit potential clients.

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

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

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

6. Attendtraining as directed, and implement strategies and skills learned.

7. Ensuretimely record-keeping and reporting of Medicaid services provided to clients asrequired.

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

9. Communicateclient needs / concerns to the Supervisor, Director, or Assistant Director, andfamilies / caregivers, and other entities as directed.

10. CommunicateCenter needs / changes / actions to the ARC Supervisor.

General :

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

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

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

4. Maintain confidentiality with all client andpersonnel issues / information.

5. Refrain from interaction with social mediaregarding the ARC.

6. Refrain from engaging in personal electroniccommunications during work hours.

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

8. Represent the St. James ARC with respect whenin community interaction.

9. Seek and attend professional developmentopportunities; attend required training.

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

11. Maintainappropriate personal hygiene of the clients.

12. Addressand respond to clients with respect and concern.

13. Performall other job responsibilities assigned.

Physical Requirements :

A Direct Support Professional must bephysically able to :

• Handlethe positioning and transitioning of clients on a daily basis.
• Assistclients with self-help needs.
• Feedclients.
• Attendto the personal needs of the clients.

QUALIFICATIONREQUIREMENTS : Hold a HighSchool Diploma or the equivalent. Have two years of experience in specialeducation or a human service field. Pass a federal background check. Be sensitive to the needs ofcitizens 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.

EDUCATIONAND / OR EXPERIENCE : Hold a HighSchool Diploma or the equivalent. Have two years of experience in specialeducation or a human service field. Pass a units of measure, using wholenumbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, andpercent and todraw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONINGABILITY : Ability to apply common senseunderstanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagramform. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardizedsituations.

OTHERSKILLS AND ABILITIES : To perform thisjob successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software.

PHYSICALDEMANDS : The physical demands described hereare representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully performthe essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made toenable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mustbe physically able to :

While performing the duties of thisJob, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, orfeel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required tostand; 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 10pounds, frequently lift and / or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally liftand / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this jobinclude close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORKENVIRONMENT : The workenvironment characteristics described here are representative of those anemployee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodationsmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions.

The noise level in the workenvironment 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.