Responsibilities
Under the direction of the facility’s Program Manager, the Direct Support Professional is
responsible for the following:
Carrying out each resident’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP). The ISP includes behavioral and skill development programs for each resident. This includes teaching skills through modeling appropriate actions and responses in order to assist the residents in making self-directed choices.
Assisting residents with self-help skills such as personal hygiene, dressing, grooming and toileting, and training residents in the activities of daily living such as bed-making, meal preparation, and housekeeping.
Ensuring the good appearance of residents (i.e., clean and appropriate clothing and shoes, good hygiene) at day programs or other community activities.
Preparation of appropriate and nutritious meals for the residents and following proper food handling and storage procedures.
General daily housekeeping duties, as required to maintain the good appearance and
cleanliness of the facility, both inside and out. These duties include but are not limited to laundry, vacuuming, sweeping (including decks, patios, and outdoor living areas), mopping, and disinfecting bathroom and kitchen surfaces, as well as periodic deep cleaning.
Assisting with medication after completion of the required Cornerstone medication training. This includes record-keeping.
Recording daily data and notes about residents’ behavioral and independent living skill goals, communication, activities and outings, medical issues, and special incidents.
Communication with parents, day program, and transportation personnel as needed.
Job Requirements
Completion of initial Cornerstone training requirements:
1. General Orientation (upon hire)
2. First Aid
3. In-Home Orientation, including Basic Care
4. Medication
5. Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (ProAct)
Must meet the regulatory requirement of 24 hours of
training per year in the first year of employment; 12 hours
per year in each subsequent year.
Attendance at monthly training and clinical and staff meetings.
As a mandated abuse reporter, the Direct Support Professional must
have the ability to recognize the obvious and suspected signs of
abuse, and is responsible for understanding and following abuse
reporting policies and procedures.
On-call availability during emergencies or crises.
Qualifications
Prerequisites: Ability to meet Community Care Licensing
requirements by providing evidence of good health (a physical), a
negative TB test, and criminal record clearance. Ability to speak,
read, and write English.
One to two years of direct support experience in residential programs
for the developmentally disabled is preferred. At a minimum,
applicants must have three years of post-high school work experience,
including at least six months of providing care or support to dependent
individuals. This may include residential or day program experience
with the disabled or elderly, experience as a special education
classroom aide, or as an in-home support services provider.