Direct Support Professional (DSP) Dover DE

Job Details

Mission: Advancing community support and opportunities for people living with disabilities

Core Values: We believe each person should:

• Be included, respected, and valued.
• Have ongoing information, experiences, and expectations from which to make choices.
• Have a variety of relationships.
• Live and participate in the communities of their choice.
• Have a career, dreams for the future, and make meaningful contributions.

Position:

PT Direct Support Professional (DSP) Dover, DE Thursday -Saturday (Thursday & Friday 3pm-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm)

Reports To:

Team Lead/Group Home Manager

JOB OVERVIEW

Under the general supervision of the Team Lead/Group Home Manager, a DSP is responsible for a variety of duties related to the overall care of individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in SJCS residential programs. This includes: providing direct care to individuals, implementing of individual support plans (ISP), and implementing individual behavior plans (BP). Direct Support Professionals are required to perform all duties in accordance

with State of Delaware regulations and SJCS policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Training

• Completes and maintains all required state mandated trainings such as medication training, CPR / First Aid, MANDT, and all state core trainings (RELIAS) within 90 days of employment;
• Attends meetings and training sessions as required by DDDS and SJCS
• Completes annual trainings related to individual support plans, behavior plans, and other related plans;

Daily Programming

• Provides transportation to and from activities;
• Assists in the implementation of individual plans for individuals and behavioral plan goals;
• Assists individuals in the pursuit of recreational, social and community activities based on their preferences and individual plans;
• Assists and encourages individuals in the establishment of social networks;
• Promotes participation and involvement in community outings;
• Works all assigned schedules, including but not limited to: arriving and departing on time, requesting time off in advance, and notifying your supervisor of changes to your assigned work schedule;
• Ensures each individuals rights are protected;
• Treats individuals with dignity and respect;

Activities of Daily Living

• Administers medications to individuals as assigned;
• Observes individuals for any changes in behavior or health that may have resulted from medication administration;
• Ensures individuals are dressed neatly and appropriately and are groomed at all times;
• Assists and encourages individuals to care for immediate personal needs such as toileting, washing their hands, and eating;
• Prepares nutritional meals based on individual needs and preferences;
• Encourage individuals to assist in the preparation of meals and snacks as appropriate to their individual plan and behavior plan;
• Keeps residence both interior and exterior and resident personal space clean, organized, and tidy and encourage them to participation in home beautification and upkeep as appropriate according to their individual plans;
• Teaches individuals daily skills such as household chores, laundry, cleaning, and washing dishes, as appropriate according to their individual plan;

Communication

• Observes individuals for evidence of injury or bruises and evaluates for changes in emotional and physical status;
• Reports any noted problems to the Team Lead/Group Home Manager immediately and complete a written incident report form;
• Reports all medical related incidents to the Team Lead/Group Home Manager and the delegating nurse;
• Acts as a representative for SJCS in a professional manner when required, to families, service coordinators, State officials, community partners, local businesses, and employers;
• Represents SJCS in a professional manner to families, service coordinators, State officials, and community partners when required;
• Maintains resident confidentiality;
• Communicates with the Team Lead/Group Home Manager when items related to individuals personal needs and personal space needs to be purchased;

Teamwork

• Assists the Team Lead/Group Home Manager in the preparation for the annual Individual Planning Meetings
• Treats all individuals and coworkers and with dignity, respect, and fairness;
• Provides support to other team members when individuals are having behavioral issues;

Documentation

• Documents all program data, including but not limited to: individual plan data, behavior plan data, community integration logs, assessments, individual funds requests, mileage logs, maintenance requests forms, and supply acquisition forms;
• Documents individuals health (i.e. seizure charts, weight, bowel movements, fluid intake.);
• Ensures that all documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner;
• Ensures Medication Administration Record (MAR) entries are completed daily;

Completes communication log books during shift;

Job Description & Qualifications

We are looking for compassionate and committed Direct Service Professionals to provide support to adults with disabilities in developing and/or maintaining their skills to enhance the quality of their lives in the community. The desired candidate will have the ability to observe and respond to the physical, social, behavioral, career and personal needs of persons served.

Essential Functions:

• Provide appropriate level of supervision and  training to persons served to facilitate their social wellbeing, health and safety in the least restrictive environment;
• Administer medication to persons served; per medication administration procedures upon successful state required certifications, 
• Assist persons served to take public transportation or ensures access community resources.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of daily activities; including those that promote social inclusion
• Follow prescribed  SJCS daily documentation of persons served including progress towards skill acquisition, choices, health matters, achievements and challenges
• Attend and participate in all mandated events, workshops, training, investigations and meetings;
• Ensure responsible usage of personal and agency resources, e.g. vehicles, property, finances, etc 
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of community resources that lead to social inclusion and autonomy of persons served
• Ability to gain working knowledge of St. John’s Community Services policies and procedures;
• Ability to act as a representative of St. John’s Community Services to the public;
• Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with other staff members and individuals from diverse backgrounds;
• Knowledge of acceptable meal assistance and safety practices and procedures;
• Skilled in the operation of relevant computer systems, including hardware and software, and office machines;

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. required
• One or more years related experience working with persons with disabilities required; experience in community based programs preferred;
• Must meet SJCS and funding jurisdiction current requirements for criminal background/records check.
• Valid drivers license; MVR in good standing
• Valid health certificate to meet current funding jurisdiction requirements;

Current CPR, Medication Administration, and MANDT certification preferred.

St. John's Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  St. John's Community Services does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other protected class.

Salary : $20