Community Support Direct Support Professional

Schedule: Onsite, Monday - Friday 7:45 am - 2:45 pm. *Must have flexibility to work evenings/weekends if needed.

Pay: Starting at $17/hour

Position Overview:

The role of the Community Services Direct Support Professional (CS-DSP) is to support members within Waypoint to be connected to others in their community by supporting people as they explore their community, find places to join or become involved in, volunteer or learn something new while building new relationships. The CS-DSP will model healthy relationships, engage in effective communication and support independence. This will be achieved through improving skills, promoting self-determination, encouraging personally satisfying lifestyles and fostering growth to the greatest extent possible.

The CS- DSP will be responsible for maintaining a safe and supportive environment for members while ensuring that members are treated with dignity and respect. The CS-DSP will support the interests, culture, and needs of the people we serve, and promote respectful interaction with all individuals.

The CS- DSP will work successfully within a team as well as professionally represent Waypoint, in the community supporting individuals, with family and guardians and within each member’s program. The CS-DSP will exemplify professional values, ethics, responsibility and confidentiality.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Member Care:

1.      Cultivate a safe and supportive relationship with members and a thorough understanding of service plan and support needs.

2.      Facilitate members’ connections to people in the community.

3.      Provide support and guidance for members during skills building activities.

4.      Implement individual goals and Support Plans as identified in their Person Centered Plans.

5.      Encourage self-determination and self-advocacy by supporting members with exploring areas of interest and expressing their choices.

6.      Access community resources in order to promote opportunities for members.

7.      Transport members as needed to access community resources.

8.      Exercise sound judgment to ensure the safety and welfare of members at all times.  Notify Team Leader of any situation developing or occurring which could have a negative impact on the member’s welfare and safety.

Program Integrity:

1.      Understand and comply with the Home and Community Based MaineCare rules, Person-Centered Planning requirements and all of Waypoint’s policies and procedures.

2.      Collect accurate and timely data including updates to member ISP progress notes, treatment plans, and positive support plans daily, or more often, as outlined in the plan and as required to track progress towards established goals, objectives, and outcomes.

3.      Follow work schedule, demonstrate consistent attendance, adhere to core hours, and accurately record hours worked.

4.      Follow mandated reporter guidelines regarding reportable events.

5.      Manage agency funds by accurately recording expenditures as required.

Staff Development:

1.           Conduct self in a professional, collaborative and positive manner at all times. Develop and maintain cooperative and collegial relationships with all staff while demonstrating a willingness to resolve conflicts quickly and completely.

2.           Operate as part of a team, maintaining a willingness to accept direction, constructive feedback and information from the Team Leader and Community Support Leadership Team

3.           Maintain all required certifications for the Direct Support Professional position.

4.           Attend and participate in all required staff meetings and trainings

5.           Maintain a highly consistent and punctual employee work record, avoiding absenteeism and tardiness. 

6.           Demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to assist in all Waypoint settings as needed.

Facility Management:

1.      Actively promote safety and safe practices. Ensure a clean and orderly program site while implementing all cleaning routines and checklists.

2.      Follow all agency safety standards and procedures. Notify Director to safety and/or maintenance needs by following the internal procedures for reporting and requesting repair or concern.

3.      Follow all transportation policies including identifying any maintenance concerns with vehicles

Other duties as assigned.

Position Competencies (Knowledge/Skills/Abilities):

·         Prior experience not required, but must have the desire to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities, including a willingness to learn and support individuals living with complex disabilities

·         Skilled at seeking out community resources and connections for people with disabilities.

·         An ability to think on their feet, work unsupervised, and demonstrate motivation to meet the needs of the position.

·         A willingness to implement positive behavior supports, implementing structured activities, collecting accurate treatment data and behavior data, and demonstrating effective communication with members, families, coworkers and other professionals.

·         Ability to promote choices, self-advocacy, and self-determination in members.

Qualifications:

·         High School Diploma or GED

·         Must become DSP, CRMA, and Safety Care certified as a primary responsibility of the CS- DSP position.

·         Must have valid driver’s license from state of residence, a clean driving record, valid automobile insurance and reliable transportation.

·         Must be proficient in speaking, reading and writing English.

·         Must have or gain through training the information technology skills to enter time & attendance, documentation of services, manage & complete trainings, and communicate with Supervisor and co-workers.

Physical Requirements:

Stoop, kneel, crouch, reach above head, walk throughout building and grounds, push & pull personal care equipment and lift up to 50 pounds independently using safe body mechanics. Speak and model clear English in order to communicate effectively with members who use English as a primary language, hear at normal speaking levels/ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, close visual acuity in order to perform activities such as collecting/preparing data, providing consultation, and daily use of technology/computer screens. Implement Safety Care techniques to escort  and/or establish member safety in an emergency and/or per the support plan.

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Employer Paid Short Term Disability

Employer Paid Life Insurance and AD&D

Critical Illness and Accident Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts