Direct Support Professional

JOB TITLE: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

DEPARTMENT: Day or Residential

REPORTS TO: Day Program Manager and/or Director of Residential Services/ Residential Program Manager

EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/22/2024; Updated: 02/13/2025

SUMMARY: The DSP is responsible for assisting all people supported by Chesterwye and ensures that they have the opportunity to engage in community activities of their choice, leading to greater community membership.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works with the Supervisor to ensure all people we support receive applicable supervision by staff, volunteers, or natural supports and needs are being met.
• Provides personal care and assistance to all people supported, in addition to the people to whom are ‘assigned’ for the shift.
• Participates in person-centered planning activities to assure people we support are working toward meeting their identified outcomes.
• Participates in meetings and trainings with other DSPs and supervisors to enhance knowledge and skills assisting people to meet their identified person-centered activities and outcomes.
• Assures each individual achieves the outcomes identified in the PCP and follows the applicable BP guidelines.
• Provides descriptive documentation in iCare Manager of the status of activities, goals, and interventions each day.
• Promotes an atmosphere that encourages individual choice and exploration of alternative options for attaining optimal health outcomes.
• Educates and encourages greater health options to improve long-term health status.
• Introduces and enhances community resources and membership.
• Facilitates community membership by assisting people use generic resources such as local banks, grocery stores, fitness centers, restaurants, religious organization groups as desired.
• Assists in identifying additional assistive/adaptive supports needed to enhance communication, personal independence, work productivity.
• Works respectfully and cooperatively together as a unified team member with other day and residential staff members. Initiates communication with day, residential, and nursing to ensure continuity of services and supports.
• Assure documentation is completed accurately and timely.
• Identifies and reports, completes, and submits information on any and all instances of potential abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and/or rights allegation or concerns.
• Maintains confidentiality of people and programs at Chesterwye.
• Assures compliance with all applicable Chesterwye policies and procedures that are based, in part, on the OHCQ and COMAR 10.22 licensing regulations, as well as Chesterwye specific policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED), or one to three months related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certificates, licenses, and registrations required:
• Valid driver’s license with one year’s experience with less than two (2) points.
• Other skills preferred:
• A minimum of one year’s experience providing supports to people with developmental disabilities with dignity and respect in community settings preferred.
• Experience working in a day setting for people with developmental/intellectual disabilities.
• Experience and knowledge in a wide array of community activities and connections.
• Must take and maintain Driver Safety certification to be able to drive a company vehicle.
• Must be able to travel throughout the service area and as necessary, travel to hospitals physicians/hospitals providing care to the people supported, including crossing the Bay Bridge as necessary.
• Must successfully pass all pre-employment screenings.
• Must successfully complete all DDA and agency required trainings within 30 days of employment and maintain timely applicable certification.
• Must successfully complete the MTTP training to be med-certified within 60 days of employment, including training in diabetes and g-tube, and be approved as a CMT by the delegating nurse.
• Must successfully complete refresher trainings within the identified timeframes

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

• Health (Vision included)
• Prescription Drug
• Dental
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Term Life Insurance
• Group Basic Life and AD&D (100% employer paid)
• Traditional & Roth 401(k) Plans & Employer match
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Holidays
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Weekend Differential Pay
• Club One Gym Membership Discount
• Supplemental Insurance Plans (AFLAC)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Continually required to stand
• Continually required to walk
• Occasionally required to sit
• Occasionally required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Occasionally/Frequently/Continually required to taste or smell
• Occasionally/Frequently/Continually exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
• Frequent exposure to outside weather conditions
• Occasional exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, very loud
• The employee will occasionally lift and/or move no more than 50
• Specialized equipment, machines, or vehicles used: Hoyer lift, wheelchair, Barrier Free Lift, Life Vans.