Direct Support Professional

Description

Organization Standards:
1. Emulate The Arc Jacksonville’s Vision, Mission and Values in all daily interactions with participants, family members, guardians, and co-workers.
2. Responsibly supervise individuals to ensure safety, comfort, and protection of individual rights. Demonstrate and encourage positive, polite interactions with people receiving services in a way that does not reflect personal opinions, values or negative emotions.
3. Review available information to develop a working knowledge of each person served in regard to types of differences, medical and behavioral status, personal goals, as well as training/support methods, then use this information to provide effective, individualized interactions and supervision.
4. Assist people in making choices by educating them about options, discussing pros and cons of possible decisions and respecting choices made, unless it is likely to endanger the health and/or safety of an individual.
5. Consistently follow directions given for implementing and documenting training, support and/or behavioral plans without making changes based on personal preferences or style and participate in training to enhance skills.
6. Electronically document and record events, activities, training sessions and progress as required. View and utilize organization assigned email and other electronic databases on a regular basis to ensure accurate documentation and adequate communication is maintained.
7. Interact with co-workers, supervisory and administrative staff in a courteous manner that encourages a positive and cooperative work environment, in addition to talking to Support Coordinators, family members, health care professionals and others in a way that promotes a positive image of the organization and the people it serves.

8. Communicate clearly, respectfully and effectively to others through verbal and written methods, including appropriate content, tone and demeanor. Able to listen to and understand others.
9. Immediately address and report any emergency situations or potential safety hazards to the supervisor, as well as information obtained that may affect the health, safety and/or services for a person. Practices and promotes safe work habits and identifies areas to improve work environment.
10. Review and comply with all organizational policies, procedures, handbook and directives, as well as those issued by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and other funding sources. Understand function, requirements, tools and processes of their position and how they fit into department/organization workflow.
11. Maintain appropriate dress, good hygiene and professional behavior and conduct that reflects positively on the organization’s mission and the people it serves.
12. Willing and able to work flexible hours on occasion based on program needs.
13. Possess a positive driving record for routine transportation of people receiving services and for other work functions, sufficient to meet all applicable legal and insurance requirements.
14. Possess the emotional stability sufficient for performing all tasks related to the job including times of medical and behavioral crises for individuals.

Program Specific Job Requirements:
1. Review available information to develop a working knowledge of each person served in regard to types of disabilities, medical and behavioral status, personal goals, as well as training/support methods, then use this information to provide effective, individualized interactions and supervision. Interact with consumers in a pleasant, respectful manner.
2. Provide training according to the directions given with the implementation plan, reporting any relevant information about progress and changes needed to the Program Assistant.
3. Document training, support and/or behavioral plans on a daily basis, accurately and independently. Report problems and barriers of note appropriately to the Program Assistant or Program Manager.
4. Plan lessons, facility and community based actives, and develop or make use of creative training/support techniques with people receiving services.
5. Provide special training, such as leading discussions, leading exercise groups, or providing computer training, as assigned.
6. Keep accurate records of attendance. Document transportation/attendance sheet accurately when assigned.

7. Reliably supervise assigned areas during special times, such as lunch or break, to ensure consumer safety.
8. Respond to medical and behavioral crises to assure the safety of consumers and staff. Recognize and report immediately any potential safety or health hazards. Complete unusual incident reports as required and submit to Program Manager.
9. Interact with co-workers, supervisory and administrative staff in a courteous manner that encourages a cooperative work environment. Assist co-workers as needed. Make positive, creative suggestions for any necessary improvements.
10. Communicate with Support Coordinators, family members, providers and others in a manner that promotes a positive image of the organization and the people it serves. Refer them to the Program Manager or the Community Living Consultant when appropriate.
11. Reliably work scheduled hours, being willing to be flexible occasionally if needed.
12. Attend required training.
13. Perform other duties as directed by the Manager

Qualifications

Experience working with individuals with developmental differences is desired.

Good communication and writing skills are required.

Must have valid Florida driver's license with good driving record, be able to pass a DOT physical and be willing and able to drive agency vehicles.

Must be able to pass background and drug screening.