Summary: Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) work with individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. DSPs assist individuals to become more integrated in their communities by maximizing the person’s strengths, interests and abilities. The aim is for the person to direct their own activities that create a meaningful life including employment, community citizenship and developing relationships. Support may occur in a variety of settings and may include providing personal care, assistance with daily living activities, job coaching, teaching/developing skills, advocating with the individual, assisting in communication and self- expression, and ultimately supporting the individual in meeting his or her own goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Support people to achieve personal outcomes that characterize a high quality of life through employment and being an active citizen.

· Listen carefully and communicate respectfully and clearly with the people you support.

· Support people to choose, understand and learn new skills in various settings and provide transportation as needed.

· Understand, follow through, and document support plans, goals, activities, progress, etc.

· Support people with daily living skills and personal support needs.

· Provide and seek out opportunities for individual(s) supported to make choices.

· Encourage individual(s) to give back to the community through employment.

2. Engage in respectful communication, treats individuals with dignity and honors individual rights.

· Use person-first or preferred language when appropriate.

· Maintain confidentiality and support privacy at all times.

· Implement individual support plans as written.

· Teach appropriate skills and involve individual(s) supported in meaningful and valued activities.

· Maintain the property of the agency and of the individual(s) supported.

· Know, advocate and respect the rights of individual(s) supported.

3. Support people to be safe and have optimal health and well being 

· Understand and follow supports for optimal health.

· Monitor medical conditions thoroughly and consistently. Notify appropriate supervisor of any health concerns or needs for the individual(s) supported.

· Assist individual(s) supported with healthcare visits, medications and therapy plans.

· Ensure that people are free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

· Complete needed reporting and documentation.

· Follow any outlined financial supports.

· Support individuals with positive behavioral techniques to avoid challenging situations and promote respect and dignity.

· Be a safe and conscientious driver.

· Know the proper techniques and be able to respond to emergencies such as accidents, fires, tornados, or other situations

4. Positively represent Easterseals Arc.

· Uphold agency values and follow agency policies and procedures.

· Maintain confidentiality of records/information according to HIPAA, State, Federal Laws and guidelines.

· Understand and follow through with agency systems and protocols.

· Mentor and train new staff to ensure that the workplace is a positive and productive environment.

· Display conduct in the community that enhances the image of individual(s) supported and the agency.

· Communicate positively and clearly with your supervisor and coworkers.

· Meet established timelines and deadlines.

· Maintain satisfactory attendance to work shifts, staff meetings and other assigned agency functions.

· Complete needed trainings by established deadlines.

· Maximize and responsibly utilize agency and community resources.

· Complete duties assigned by supervisor or designee.

Qualifications:

· At least 18 years of age.

· High School diploma or GED preferred.

· Experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities; prefer 1 year.

· Ability to pass criminal/registry background checks.

· A valid driver’s license, insured vehicle, and safe driving record.

· Basic language, written and computer skills necessary for communication and documentation.

· Ability and willingness to support individuals with challenging behavior and/or medical concerns.

· Ability to pass and maintain required trainings such as CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration and Positive Behavioral Support Training and other trainings as deemed necessary by the agency.

Working Conditions: DSPs work in a changing environment that adjusts to the needs of the individuals in program services. The environment may be fast-paced with interruptions, distractions and deadlines. DSPs need to be flexible and be able to adjust to changing needs, activities and locations. DSP’s must be able to tolerate tobacco smoke and/or pet dander based on the individual being supported. DSPs must have an insured, safe vehicle in good working order to utilize for incidental transportation required for staff and program participants to and from community activities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT- Depending on the needs of the individuals, the work can be physically demanding including transferring or supporting people with mobility needs, lifting or moving items up to 75 lbs, walking or standing for extended periods of time or providing support through CPR/First Aid, behavioral support, and other interventions. Staff may work with violent/physically aggressive participants and responds to emergency situations involving potential physical harm to self and others.