Direct Support Professional -DSP; ALL SHIFTS

Direct Support Professional - DSP (ALL SHIFTS)

Title: Direct Support Professional – Residential

Department: Group Homes

Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Inclusive. Innovative. Open-Hearted.

We are Care Champions. A team of adaptable, collaborative, diverse, mission-driven individuals with a passion for purposeful innovation and service excellence. Our community commits itself to being inclusive and welcoming as we put the whole person at the center of everything we do.

This is a bargaining unit position.

24 Residential Group homes with various schedules and locations throughout Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley.

Residential direct support staff are members of a team responsible for providing high quality direct care services to adults with developmental disabilities.

Each direct support staff member is responsible for ensuring the human rights of all individuals served are met. Staff are accountable for treating all individuals with dignity and respect.

Direct Support staff assigned to the group homes function are responsible for supporting individuals in the completion of their daily routines and for ensuring clients live a safe, healthful, enjoyable life in the community.

Direct Support staff are responsible for ensuring individuals are provided with opportunities to learn and exercise increasing independence as much as practicable.

• Responsible for the health, safety and well‑being of individuals served, seeking assistance and medical interventions as appropriate.
• Serves as a Mandated Reporter and is required to advise direct supervisor, DDS, and DPPC immediately if abuse and/or neglect of an Individual is suspected.
• Handle crisis situations according to agency policies and procedures, seeking resources when necessary.
• Monitor group home site and vehicle for safety, cleanliness and upkeep and take necessary action to ensure the same. Report safety concerns per established protocols.
• Establish rapport with individuals participating in the group home program.
• Support the learning of individuals by use of motivational techniques, effective interventions and various communication approaches including verbal, gesture, and written communication.
• Assist individuals with any activities of daily living (ADLs) as applicable to each individual's abilities.
• Responsible for scheduling and accompanying individuals to medical appointments/treatments, ensuring accurate reporting to physician and follow‑through with respect to doctor’s orders and recommendations.
• Responsible for producing accurate, legible, and complete medical documentation for individuals served, including but not limited to treatment charts and data sheets.
• Properly administer medication (or support those who can self‑medicate) in accordance with agency, DDS and DPH guidelines – Medication Administration Procedures (MAP).
• Ensure individuals are provided nutritionally sound food options along with the education to help them understand the impact of their food consumption.
• Support each individual's existing relationships and assist in increasing their network of friends and acquaintances.
• Provide transportation for individuals to/from activities, medical appointments, and/or day programs through use of agency vehicle.
• Provide sex education, relationship building, life and money management counsel when appropriate.
• Assist individuals in becoming part of their community by supporting them in learning how to find resources, activities, and transportation in the community.
• Carry out all interventions in an individual's Behavioral Protocol Plan as written and trained.
• Redirect and/or physically support individuals who may be aggressive using proactive techniques while maintaining self‑control.
• Responsible for understanding and implementing any support strategies pertaining to ISP goals.
• Communicate effectively, professionally, and respectfully with individuals, co‑workers, management, guardians, and others while on company time.
• Responsible for being familiar with and abiding by agency, department, and program policies and procedures including the bargaining unit personnel policies and for acting in a manner consistent with organizational…