Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional

Location:

La Junta, CO

Residential

Hours:

4 PM – 6 AM

• Train and teach individuals in accordance with their Individual Plan (IP) and Individual Services and Support Plans (ISSP), increasing independence and social skills as needs dictate.
• Promote reasonable and appropriate supervision for individuals in service in accordance with the IP.
• Pass the Medication Administration test with no more than two attempts and administer medication to individuals according to physician orders and using appropriate techniques as outlined in the Medication Administration course.
• Respond to medical and other emergencies appropriately; communicate individual health concerns to the agency's nurse or other designated personnel.
• Provide assistance in cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, incontinence care of individuals, light snow removal, vehicle cleanliness, etc.
• Perform lifting and transferring techniques as trained and pass written and performance testing; occasionally lift and/or push and pull up to 100 lb.
• Drive agency and personal vehicles as necessary for transportation of individuals in service and to perform other agency business.
• Regularly sit, walk, stand, climb stairs, physically restrain individuals pursuant to training (when necessary) and sit at a computer for long periods.
• Communicate orally with individuals and the public in both quiet and noisy environments.
• Operate a personal computer and related software.
• Tolerate various levels of stress and meet deadlines with severe time constraints.
• Demonstrate vision abilities including close, distance, and depth perception; read handwritten or typed material and adjust focus.
• Work and concentrate in both noisy and quiet environments.
• Squat, stoop, kneel, and reach above the head; forward motion will occasionally be required.
• Assist in the assessment, training, and support of individuals’ personal hygiene and employment-related skills.
• Follow menus to ensure well‑balanced meals are prepared and served.
• Provide documentation required by Program Standards, including monitoring, attendance forms, time sheets, incident reports, medication counts, supply ordering, and filing.
• Assess individual progress regularly and provide written and verbal reports at meetings.
• Maintain effective working relationships and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain the physical facility interior and exterior in a clean, safe, orderly fashion.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of information regarding individuals, program issues, and staff.
• Perform light cleaning of vehicles, both interior and exterior.
• Assist with overall organization and flow of activities.
• Conduct, evaluate, and document evacuation drills per state licensing requirements and/or Individual Safety Plan.
• Participate in staff training activities and meetings.
• Maintain certifications for First Aid, CPR, crisis prevention, and other required courses.
• Work multiple sites or flexible schedules as directed; be available for on‑call work hours, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, overnight shifts, and up to 16 hours as needed.
• Assist with development of annual assessments and ISSPs and track programs.
• Safeguard all agency funds and property.
• Plan and implement recreation activities and provide community access for individuals.
• Provide transportation for individuals as needed.
• Follow agency policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisory staff or designee.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum age 18; must be a licensed driver with reliable transportation; valid Colorado Driver's License within ten days if out‑of‑state.
• Background check, drug and alcohol check, reference check, and motor vehicle checks must be passed; current motor vehicle insurance required.
• Six months experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities (preferred).
• Work independently approximately 85 % of the time; ability to perform duties in accordance with agency policies.
• Excellent communication skills; able to read, analyze, and interpret documents; write routine reports and correspondence.
• Mathematical skills: add, subtract, multiply, divide in all units of…