Day Support - Direct Support Professional

Description

Position Title: Day Support Direct Support Professional (DSDSP)

Department: Community Life

Grade Range/Job Status: Full Time / Non-Exempt/Hourly

Reporting Relationship: Community Life Recreational Specialist (eastside - White Bear Lake office)

Supervisory Responsibilities: NA

Typical Schedule: Primarily M-F Days 8:30am – 3pm. Must occasionally be willing and able to work flexible hours/days, May pick up additional DSP program hours as available.

Position Summary

The Day Supports Direct Support Professional (DSDSP) provides support to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) while they are attending Hammer’s Day Supports Program. DSDSPs need patience, compassion, integrity, composure under pressure, dependability, and a strong sense of teamwork. All employees are expected to center, model and champion Hammer’s core values: Person-Centered, Relational, Opportunistic and Stewardship in order to provide people with intellectual and other disabilities, the opportunity to live life to its fullest.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Day Supports Day to Day Operations
• Assist in the daily operation of the day supports program,
• Provide a safe environment,
• Facilitate activities/outings that are scheduled for the day,
• Engage with participants in a person-centered way,
• Assist participants as needed with personal cares, medication administration, behavior support, and anything else they may not be able to complete on their own.
• Safely drive the company car, lift van or personal vehicle for outings/activities around the Twin Cities and provide support for individuals’ participation in the community.
• Manage difficult situations effectively. Resolve minor issues when possible and escalate to appropriate leader when necessary. Report all accidents, injuries and illnesses or complaints about care and follow procedures for any behavioral or medical emergencies. Follow the laws as a mandated reporter to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Demonstrate teamwork, cooperation and effective working relationships with individuals served families, coworkers, supervisors, and others to facilitate quality services.
• Regulation Compliance
• Provide services and activities that comply with licensing regulations and with Hammer and NER’s policies and person-centered philosophy, exercising good judgement to adapt and apply the guidelines to specific situations. Provide advocacy to protect people’s civil and legal rights. Encourage choice and independence whenever possible, fostering a positive, encouraging environment.
• Follow policies and procedures set by Hammer and NER, and Day Supports.
• Training
• Successfully complete orientation including medication administration certification.
• Complete annual training and attend all required meetings when assigned.
• Complete training specific to the individuals attending Day Supports related to their diagnoses, activities of daily living, and medication administration.
• Communication/Technology
• Complete documentation promptly and with attention to detail. Use computers to maintain timely and accurate documentation for medications, activities, and outcomes. Read and respond to any emails/communication from your program or the organization.
  
  

Essential Knowledge And Qualifications

• Employees must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability and willingness to work with people of different abilities, genders, ages, cultures, and ethnicities.
• Ability and willingness to assist individuals with activities of daily living including bathing and toileting.
• Ability and willingness to support individuals with challenging behavior.
• Requires a valid driver’s license, access to a personal auto and driving record that meets Hammer’s insurance requirements.
• Must receive a MN DHS Background study clearance and show freedom from Tuberculosis.
• Must be able to successfully complete all required training.
• Must be prepared to respond to hazardous situations including illness or aggression.
• Strong communication skills including fluency in English and competence with typing, emailing, and mastering the organization’s documentation standards.
• Frequently organizes multiple projects at once, requiring excellent time management and close attention to detail.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to confidentiality and customer service.
• Experience and ability performing physical work including:
• lifting up to 40 pounds (such as lifting a wheelchair into a van), pushing or pulling an individual in a wheelchair or while assisting with cares.
• Household chores and physical cares may include twisting/turning, kneeling/squatting, reaching, and assisting with pivot transfers.
• Program may require operating specialized medical or adaptive equipment, including use of lifting equipment and driving a lift van.
• Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status.
  
  

This job description assigns essential functions. It does not restrict the tasks an individual in this position might be asked to perform or all qualifications that may be required currently or in the future.