What are the responsibilities and job description for the Direct Support Professional position at Volunteers of America of North Louisiana?
About Us
Volunteers of America North Louisiana is a faith-based, nonprofit organization with a mission to provide opportunity, promote dignity, and inspire change in all who find their way to us. As a church without walls, we do this through personalized housing, health, and human services that benefit children and families, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and senior adults.
Founded in 1896 by social reformers Ballington and Maud Booth, Volunteers of America began as a movement of “volunteers” who were committed and sought to "reach and uplift" the American people. Volunteers of America North Louisiana began in Shreveport in 1935 with the opening of a shelter for women and children. Leading with our long-standing reputation and brand, the agency has grown to operate 40 programs, which tackle our communities’ most pressing issues and integrate our deep compassion with highly effective programs.
Thanks to our dedicated team of more than 350 employees, along with thousands of volunteers, donors, and supporters, we aim to give hope to thousands of people each year. We endeavor to attract qualified and caring individuals to consider a career with us and experience a collaborative culture that offers challenging, stimulating, and rewarding opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Job Summary:
Maintain a safe, healthy, and therapeutic environment for individuals served and follow through on individual plans of care. Help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain life skills, build confidence, and live as independently as possible.
Maintain a safe, healthy, and therapeutic environment for individuals served and follow through on individual plans of care. Help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain life skills, build confidence, and live as independently as possible.
Essential Job Functions:
Ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the client by:
- Holding monthly fire drills. Rotate severe weather and disaster drills monthly.
- Ensuring adequate medications are on hand at all times.
- Ensuring medical appointments are kept as scheduled.
- Immediately report any illness or injury to the SIL Supervisor or the supervisor on call and take appropriate steps to ensure medical attention is received, if necessary.
- Ensuring that client takes medications as prescribed and follows Doctor’s orders.
- Supervising client at all times to ensure client remains out of harm’s way.
- Assisting clients with daily personal tasks, including bathing and dressing.
- Assisting with home care including vacuuming, washing dishes, and tidying.
- Assisting with money management including budgeting, banking, and shopping.
Provide training to clients according to the service plan. Document training in progress notes daily. Training may include money management, personal hygiene skills, grocery shopping, housekeeping, preparation of meals, laundry skills, and community integration.
Document daily activities of client progress toward personal outcomes to ensure health, safety, and welfare on service logs and progress notes by:
- Completing incident reports and critical incident reports as needed.
- Following policy for reporting.
- Documenting complaints made by client or family.
- Completing documentation regarding medication administration, documentation of medications on M.A.R., or other Doctor's orders.
- Attend staff training and meetings as required by Volunteers of America North Louisiana (VOANLA).
- Maintain client confidentiality per HIPAA standards.
- Transport clients to appointments or social events as needed.
- Work on special projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
Reached at least 21 years of age.
Reached at least 21 years of age.
High school diploma or GED preferred.
CMA certification is preferred.
Prior work experience in a program that serves persons with intellectual disabilities preferred.
Current CPR with First Aid certification (may obtain upon hire).
Valid driver’s license with a good driving record, depending on assignment.
Liability insurance that meets minimum requirements, depending on assignment.
Meet and maintain all requirements for criminal background check, MVR check, and for the applicable state agency(ies), including good standing with the state abuse and neglect registry.
Shifts Available:
Shifts Available:
- Full- and part-time positions available
MUST be able to work WEEKENDS!
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Days – 7:00am – 3:00 pm * 8:00am – 4:00pm * 7:00am-7:00pm * 8:00am – 8:00pm
- Evenings – 3:00pm – 11:00pm * 4:00pm – midnight
MUST be able to work WEEKENDS!
Required Skills/Abilities:
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively with clients and other staff members.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Good time management skills.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive situations.
Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, nights, and weekends.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
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. Must be able to frequently walk, sit, stand, stoop, bend, climb stairs, see, hear, and speak. Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Regular attendance at work is a requirement of this position. Ability to travel locally as required to meet client needs.
Benefits:
30-40 hours a week guaranteed if full time
Options to pick up extra hours
Paid overtime
Time-and-a-half for working holidays
Regular schedules including weekends, evenings and overnight
Stable employment! Volunteers of America is a Medicaid government funded agency
Earn extra money for meeting our Retention plan
