CHOICES Direct Support Professional
**This position is eligible for a $1,000 hiring bonus ($800 for Relief) and $15/hour starting wage!**
Department: CHOICES
Job Status: Full Time/Part Time/Relief
Reports To: Residential Supervisor
Work Schedule: Full-time/part time & relief position requiring flexible schedule. Night and weekend availability required.
POSITION SUMMARY
Provide support to individuals and assist them in being successful in their self-directed lives.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS STATEMENT(S)
Individual Services

• Maintain and expand skills and knowledge relevant to providing high quality of support and services.
• Ensure that people exercise their rights and are treated with dignity and respect.
• Provide medical services as prescribed.
• Represent the individuals and Volunteers of America, Dakotas in a professional and acceptable manner.
• Provide support to individuals in achieving their personal outcomes.
• Build on strengths, gifts, talents of individuals supported.
• Ensure individuals feels safe and secure.
• Provide transportation of individuals as needed.
• Follow Volunteers of America, Dakotas policies and procedures.
• Ensure the safety of individuals, staff and community at all times: Behavioral Safety - ensure appropriate supervision of individuals in order to ensure their safety and that of the community.
• Using the least restrictive method(s) possible and only using Volunteers of America, Dakotas approved CPI techniques as necessary. Emotional Safety - ensure emotional safety needs are addressed by the team, as needed.

Documentation and Communication

• Complete documentation on appropriate forms as required by Volunteers of America, Dakotas policies.
• Document all health concerns and communicate medication and medical problems.
• Maintain a high level of communication with supervisor and staff.
• Document all paperwork in accordance with the National School Lunch Program.
• Identify and report any facility and maintenance needs to the supervisor.

Support Services

• Follow individual support plans and document daily.
• Recognize and support mutually respectful partnerships among individuals, their families, communities, providers, and professionals.
• Attend meetings, to include: WINGS, staff and agency trainings.
• Perform job responsibilities professionally, consistent with the agencies code of ethics.

Competency Statement(s)

• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Empathetic - Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Honesty/Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and not being hasty and impetuous.

POSITIONS QUALIFICATIONS
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Education: High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED) required. Bachelor's Degree (four year college or technical school) preferred in any of the following fields of study: Counseling, Social Work, or related Human Services field.
Experience: Prior experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental health issues and challenging behavior is preferred.
Skills: General computer skills knowledge preferred.
Certifications & Licenses: Individuals must possess a valid driver's license and proof in insurance. Ability to pass the agency's driving test.
Other Requirements: Interest in assisting people supported to achieve personal outcomes and to provide person centered support. Must possess good verbal, reading and written communication in English and basic math skills. Ability and willingness to successfully complete and apply training.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
A. Ability to stand, walk, sit, manually manipulate, reach outward and above shoulders, speak, climb, crawl, squat, kneel, and bend on a daily basis.
B. Capability to lift, carry, push or pull up to 100lbs on a daily basis.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)