Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional - Full Time (40 hours)

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The Arc Eastern Connecticut has been providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than 60 years. We actively champion for full community inclusion and are a licensed and contracted service provider of the Connecticut Department of Development Services. We provide residential, daytime, employment, and social supports to people with IDD and their families. Come join our team!

Wed-Sun 2pm-10pm

Colchester, CT

Our Direct Support Professionals are committed to facilitate, model, and build skills that will lead to the optimal independence of the people we support.

• Deliver training, support, and assistance to participants in the areas of personal care, recreation and leisure, daily living skills, social skills, health needs, personal preferences, exercising of individual rights, community integration, and behavior management.
• Participate in the design, implementation and monitoring of the participants individualized support plan. Observations and opinions are crucial to tailoring an achievable plan.
• Accurately administer prescribed medications to participants as ordered by physicians.
• Accurately complete required documentation including program data, incident reports, daily logs, progress notes, and health records.
• Always ensure participants' health and safety including prevention of abuse, performing CPR, performing Standard First Aid, performing Heimlich procedure, and evacuating participants in case of a fire.
• Provide transportation to recreational and community activities.
• Prepare participants' meals following published menus.
• Mentor and assist people in all areas of life skills including recreation, independence, communication, and health.

• Demonstrates a positive work ethic.
• Can work with limited supervision.
• Advocates for and protects participants' rights in accordance with Arc policies and procedures.
• Treats all individuals in an age-appropriate manner, with respect and dignity, and encourages opportunities that promote choice.
• Maintains a mature and positive attitude when dealing with program participants, staff, families, the public and outside representatives.
• Works cooperatively with all departments.
• Carrying out all job responsibilities in a professional manner.
• Attends all agency staff meetings and training sessions.
• Maintains attendance and adheres to policies on attendance, days of absence, and illness.
• Keeps supervisor informed of any significant events or the need to modify any area of operation/activity.
• Serves as a positive and appropriate role model for program participants.
• Provides advocacy for participants based on personal choice and individual plan.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with participants, their families, and providers.
• Responds to needs of participants, families, and providers in a timely and professional manner.

• Prior experience working with people who have developmental and physical disabilities preferred.
• Must have the ability to mentor and assist people in all areas of life skills including recreation, independence, communication, and health.
• Valid driver's license required.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Applicants must possess basic computer aptitude and be able to speak/write in English.

• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program

• Appreciate paid training while you get state certified.
• Can use medical, dental and life insurance.
• Would enjoy getting 11 recognized holidays off and paid each year.
• Earn paid vacation and paid sick leave.
• We pay a starting hourly rate of $18.30 per hour.
• We can start you working and earning towards your employment goal.

Helping others is a reward that will stay with you the rest of your life.

Wednesday-Sunday 2:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. 40 Hours