Direct Support Professional

New Horizons is a non-profit organization that has been supporting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Lake Havasu City for almost 50 years. We pride ourselves in community integration with the support we provide through various programs, which include eight residential settings, day programs, habilitation, and group supported employment. Top of Form

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is expected to provide training and support to the people who live in a residential home by performing supported routines and repetitive duties that are outlined in the New Horizons Centers policies and procedures.

• Assists people who live in the house to complete supported routines in personal hygiene, menu planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, family style dining, grooming, dressing, safety, cleaning, bathing, shaving, dental and oral hygiene, deodorant use, financial management, bed making, dining, laundry, household chores and any other needs identified by the Interdisciplinary Team. The DSP will assist individuals only to the extent that assistance is needed to promote greater independence. The DSP will focus on supporting and training each person to become more independent or to slow down the rate of regression.
• Performs the above duties with or for the supported person when they are unable to perform the task independently or if the person refuses to do so, causing a living situation that threatens the health and safety of the person.
• Encourages supported persons to manage their own lives by offering choices and respecting the individual’s personal preferences and goals.
• Demonstrates New Horizons Centers motto, which promotes abilities and respecting choice.
• Becomes knowledgeable of and adheres to New Horizons Centers policies and procedures.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings and other meetings as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in in-service training as scheduled.
• Reports any problems with safety, security, health issues or behavior issues to supervisor(s). For health issues that need immediate attention, the DSP calls 911 and notifies their immediate supervisor.
• Maintains all required documents for DDD, PCSP’s, BTP’s, Behavior Charting, etc. for all members in each home supported.
• Works in other houses or locations if needed, as assigned by supervisor, within a reasonable distance from the primary duty site. This may include sitting with a supported person in the hospital or taking persons to doctor’s appointments.
• Continues at work until relieved, including during inclement weather and emergency situations.
• Safeguards the confidentiality of all people receiving support.
• Carries out instructions issued by supervisory staff concerning medically prescribed diets, grocery shopping to adhere to medically necessary diets, supply needs, special medical problems, special monitoring and other similar duties as assigned.
• Completes both electronic and paper documentation on each shift to include daily logs, Incident Reports, training data, MARs, activity rosters, vehicle mileage logs, and others as directed.
• Ensures that people are supported to dress appropriately for the weather.
• Sits at the dining table with supported persons during meals to assist with the meal and to model proper table manners, not including HAI locations.
• Becomes knowledgeable of the dietary needs of persons supported to guide each person to be aware of and abide by dietary restrictions if any, prepare food with proper textures and consume nutritional supplements if needed.
• Ensures overall cleanliness of the home by supporting the occupants of the house to perform household chores.
• Encourage community involvement by assisting people in finding interesting, meaningful activities and by transporting individuals to and from work and recreational leisure activities outside of the home.
• Participates and assists in recreation/leisure activities in the home with those receiving support.
• Implements the Plan of Supports for each person supported to include objective training, medication self-administration, behavioral supports and other needs as planned by the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Maintains a valid Arizona Driver’s License with a good driving record to drive company vehicles. Reports any moving vehicle citations to the supervisor, whether incurred on or off duty.
• Completes the New Horizons Centers for orientation and maintains certification in the identified areas.
• Departs work at the end of the shift only when he/she has been properly relieved of duty.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

-High School Diploma (or equivalent)
-Valid Driver's License with clean driving record
-21 years of age
-Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
-Must be able to work in all weather conditions, indoors/outdoors

Salary : $18