Direct Support Professional

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) supports individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in a residential treatment setting and is responsible for ensuring that those portions of the Life Plan/Individual Program Plan, which deal with day-to-day and independent living skills, are implemented. Acting as a support and providing therapeutic partnering, the DSP is charged with following the Life Plan/Individual Program Plan and the fundamental responsibility of the Individuals health and safety.

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) supports individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in a residential treatment setting and is responsible for ensuring that those portions of the Life Plan/Individual Program Plan, which deal with day-to-day and independent living skills, are implemented. Acting as a support and providing therapeutic partnering, the DSP is charged with following the Life Plan/Individual Program Plan and the fundamental responsibility of the Individuals health and safety.

• Responsible for day by day care of the Individuals in the program including supervision of personal hygiene, social guidance, use of leisure time, and food planning and preparation.
• Develop, supervise and run activity sessions.
• Accompany Individual on trips and outings and supervise activities.
• May be required, to perform SCIP in the event its necessary Employees are required to attend appropriate SCIP training prior to performing such a restraint.
• Drive the Individuals to medical, social or other necessary appointments.
• Accompany Individual on medical appointments as a liaison of the interdisciplinary team, working closely with the medical team to present and receive information to all medical professionals.
• Shares their experience and observation of the Individual under care with the IDT team and immediately brings to the attention of the supervisor any unusual issues.
• Assist/Supervise Individuals with meal preparation including setting dining room table, warming food, portioning for specific Individual and adhering to specifically prescribed modified diets.
• Ensures that Individual are treated with dignity and respect at all times.
• Supports and encourages Individual's decision making on the appropriate level to further promote independence.
• Responsible to oversee activities of daily living (ADL) and all personal hygiene of the Individual.
• Assist the Residence Manager in the development and implementation of community inclusion activities using individuals and family feedback as a guide.
• Work with Individual in a group setting or on a one to one basis depending on the need of the particular Individual.
• Participates in regular staff meetings and trainings.
• May be asked to travel to offsite meetings and trainings.
• Completes regular and timely documentation of all individuals' interactions, including progress and informational notes in the respective electronic records.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
• Complete incident reports as appropriate following an incident.
• Administer medication as needed.
• Comply to the Divisional specific Jewish Orthodox culture and practices
• Other assigned duties as assigned.

• Compassion, empathy, patience, and genuine desire to make a positive impact on individual's lives.
• Excellent client engagement skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Attentiveness to individuals and colleagues.
• Adaptability to address situations.
• Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrating Professionalism.
• Supporting Good Health.
• Supporting Safety.

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• A driver's License is preferred to meet all insurance requirements.

• Experience with similar population in a residential setting is preferred.
• Bilingual a plus.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)
• Aptitude for learning new systems and software applications.

• Travel in the community with Individual utilizing agency vehicle.
• Engage in physical activities with the residence.
• Ability to reach paper and electronic documents.
• Ability to perform data entry into various computer programs as needed.

• To perform the essential functions of this job, the candidate is routinely required to sit (25% of the time) and stand (75% of the time)
• Ability to travel to visit individual in apartments or to escort Individual in the community.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds to assist Individual and to manager stairs in walk-up buildings as needed.
• The role includes assisting individuals with mobility, lifting and supporting daily activities.
• Capable of lifting and/or assisting in lifting individuals who may have limited mobility or require assistance with transfer.