Direct Support Professional (In-Home Supports)

ALLIED COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

FUNCTION

The Direct Support Professional (In-Home, also known as Individual Support Instructor) assists individuals with disabilities with activity of daily living skills and community involvement. The Individual Support Instructor is responsible for implementing and documenting consumer service and behavioral therapy plans; serves as an appropriate role model to the individual supported; assists in providing safe and sanitary living conditions; assists with meal preparation and other activities of daily living; provides transportation; and increases personal performance capability through active, prepared participation in training opportunities.

REPORTABILITY

Reports directly to: Individual Supports Supervisor

Supervisor Responsibilities: None

RESPONSPONSIBILITES

• Respects the human and civil rights of each person - consumer and staff.
• Responds to the stated or behaviorally-implied needs of the consumer.
• Provides written and verbal assessments and data to supervisory personnel or behavior specialist for the development of service plan and periodic reports.
• Implements and documents service plans.
• Attends IDT meetings as required.
• Motivates, monitors and assists consumers in arrangements for use of leisure time and social development.
• Secures and documents accurate information when accompanying consumers to appointments or community experiences.
• Transports consumers in agency vehicles using departmental procedures.
• Instructs consumers in the accomplishment of activities of daily living, social/emotional/behavioral and other skills according to prescribed teaching strategies and behavioral plans.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding consumer information according to departmental guidelines.
• Works cooperatively with other staff and ancillary services personnel, such as health care personnel, social workers, psychologists, dietitians, and physicians.
• Attends, prepares accurate information for, and fully participates in, staff meetings and mandatory training.
• Acts as a positive role model to the consumers and to the community.
• Documents events, results of programming, appointments, visits, funds usage, time tracking and other requested information on a daily basis using established departmental procedures.
• Cleans and maintain cleanliness of the work area while training consumers to increase their skills and responsibilities for their own environment.
• Assists in meal preparation or prepare meals; shop; provide food preparation and nutritional training according to special dietary needs of consumers.
• Follows the instructions of the Supervisor and makes routine decisions within the confines of those instructions and departmental policy.
• Assumes other responsibilities as requested by the Supervisor, Manager and/or Director, Residential Services.
• Responsible for reading, understanding and implementing policies and procedures.

CORE COMPEETENCIS & QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma/GED required.
• Ability to use a team approach in problem solving.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports
• Ability to communicate in appropriate format and only with appropriate persons.
• Ability to understand and follow interventions for DD population.
• Ability to work independently, and often alone, within identified parameters of policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to meet the essential duties and physical demands listed below. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

Work indoors and outdoors, traveling to and from various community sites, in cold or hot environments, for a maximum of 2.5 hours per 8-hour shift. May work with irritant chemicals (cleaning products), or small appliances.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting for up to 2 hours per day with the opportunity to stretch as needed
• Standing for up to 3 hours at a time, 2 times per day.
• Walking to and from vehicles, within the community and within residences, up to 6 hours per 8-hour shift.
• Climbing stairs 8 to 20 times per shift.
• Bending, stooping, twisting of the trunk, reaching, pushing, pulling up to 20 times, each activity per 8-hour shift.
• Lifting or carrying 5 to 60 pounds, 10 to 20 times per day.

Personal Attributes

• Utilizing specific knowledge/education experience of behavioral intervention
• Safety procedures
• The ability to deal with unusual and bizarre behavior without immediately considering it a crisis situation
• Utilizing good communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding atmosphere
• Operating a vehicle
• A high degree of both visual efficiency and the ability to receive and relay detailed information

Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on individual needs and organizational resources.

This is a non-exempt position starting at $18.30 per hour.  Available shifts are Monday to Friday, first and second shift.

Employees may be eligible for a $0.50 hourly increase upon medical certification, which can be completed after hire as part of paid training.