Direct Support Professional (DSP)/ Life Skill Coach (LSC)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Life Skills Coach (LSC) will provide direct care and support to all individuals living within or attending programs at the West Haven Community House. The LSC is expected to work independently throughout the shift, flexing the daily schedule to meet the needs of the individuals being served. The LSC works as part of a team committed to meeting the needs of individuals in the areas of ADL, socialization, behavior management, personal safety, and goal achievement. The LSC is expected to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the individuals. The Life Skills Coach is required to stay on shift until relieved by another staff member and/or until all shift responsibilities are completed and released by their supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma and 2 years of related experience with adults with intellectual disabilities
• Must be 21 years old or older
• Certification in CPR required prior to hire
• Valid CT Driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to obtain and maintain approval from leased vehicle company
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a PSL License as required by CT State Law
• Must obtain and maintain all certifications/licenses such as Physical Management Techniques (PMT) DDS Medication Certification, etc as required by DDS standards

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LSC:

• Ensures a safe and accessible environment for all individuals.

• Must have a proficient knowledge and able to implement all safety protocols, ensures the wellbeing of all individuals while adhering to all agency and state guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Exhibit a caring, empathetic attitude towards the individuals while remaining sensitive to their needs

• Responsible for using incidental teaching to model appropriate behavior/activities for individuals during instructions to enhance the individual’s ability to complete tasks as independently as possible.

• Provide transportation for individuals whenever needed, including driving agency or personal vehicle when necessary. Provides transportation, to and from program and activities as needed.

• Responsible for the personal hygiene of assigned individuals. Includes bathing, showering, wiping, dressing, cleaning, and all other areas that are necessary to assist the individual with maintaining their dignity and well-being.

• Must have proficient knowledge of all individuals eating/dietary and food consistency guidelines and the ability to carry out these guidelines as instructed.

• Responsible for ensuring that all individuals have appropriate accountability supervision to maintain their health and safety as outlined in Community Connections policy and procedures and the individual’s person-centered plan.

• Must have a proficient knowledge of, and able to implement strategies in Behavioral Support Plans and/or Behavioral Guidelines for individuals.

• Acts as Advocate for individuals, helping them to make choices in their environment. Acts on their behalf, as an independent voice for the person, asking questions and ensuring the person's wishes, values and beliefs are considered when any decisions are made.

• Responsible for keeping track of and maintaining current required training/certification, must ensure training recertifications are updated before expiration dates.

• Responsible for the accurate implementation and completion of required programming and documentation (i.e., Electronic Visit Verification System, Therap documentation, BER, GER, T-logs, program documentation, data collection, financial records, carry out scheduled activities etc.) across Community Connections programs

• Establishes and maintains professional and positive relationships with community contacts to foster inclusion of program individuals. Facilitates individual’s participation and integration into the community.

• Responsible for logging in hours worked by applying their finger swipe using the ADP biometric time clock system to log in at the beginning of each worked shift and logging out at the end of each worked shift.