Job Description: As a Direct Care Specialist, you are responsible for enriching the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental differences by providing support and assistance to help them achieve their identified Support Plan (SP) goals by following the Implementation Plan (IP) strategy. Direct Care Specialists are responsible for supervising and supporting to ensure the health and safety of the individuals in the home. Direct Care Specialists are responsible for assisting individuals with routine and instrumental activities of daily living, medication administration, transportation, and participation in community outings and special events. Additionally, Direct Care Specialists are responsible for communicating and documenting the day-to-day progress and choices of the individuals in the home while protecting individuals’ human rights and dignity.

Responsibilities and duties of this position include but not limited to the following:

• Promote the mission of the agency – “The Power of People and Possibilities for individuals living with disabilities.”
• Follow all Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, Inc.’s policies and procedures as set forth in the Board of Director’s approved Personnel Handbook
• Adheres to and knowledgeable of Challenge EnterprisesMission and Residential Code of Conduct.
• Participates in Challenge Enterprises New hire Orientation, attends mandatory trainings and staff meetings.
• Follow established procedures for training and evaluating individuals in his or her own home and in the community by following (IP) Implementation Plan strategy.
• Will be responsible for the individual’s personal appearance in order to promote their value and dignity.
• Will be responsible for assisting individuals with routine and instrumental activities of daily living; including but not limited to grooming, bathing, meal preparation, money management, grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking and housework.
• Will be responsible for the individual’s quality of life aspects such as – Talk to environment: Who lives here? Who cares? Who is included and/or excluded?
• Strategically plan and facilitate activities and care of the residents.
• Follows through with completion of directions and task assigned.
• Will be responsible for completing documentation for each individual in the home during each shift via the approved data collection system (Therap): documentation on each individual in the home regarding their health, safety, progress towards goals, issues, concerns, and choices.
• Will be responsible for completing incident reports and medication error reports.
• Will be responsible for completing medication administration with documentation of administration by using that approved data collection system.
• Will be responsible for communication with Group Home Supervisor or Designee such as completing case notes, medication logs, and safety and health procedures.
• Will be responsible for accurately recording time and attendance via approved time keeping system (Paycom) and promptly communicating any issues to Group Home Supervisor and/or Designee.
• Will be responsible for monitoring the Group Home’s assigned email account
• Follow the established Challenge Enterprises Vehicle Policy.
• Duties and responsibilities may change to meet agency needs; additional tasks will be delegated as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Meet state requirements for background check.
• Must have a current Florida driver’s license and a 3 year clean Florida driving record.
• Must have a high school diploma or a GED.
• Must have one year’s experience working in a medical, psychiatric, nursing home or child-care setting or have worked with individuals who have a developmental disability. Note: College/Vocational/Technical training that equals at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours may substitute for the required experience.
• Must be able to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Must be patient when communicating with individuals in the program.
• Must be physically able to climb stairs, stand, stoop, and bend for at least three hours per day.
• Must be able to work weekends and possible overnight hours if needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent basic math and writing skills.
• Is creative and flexible.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• CPR and First Aid certified preferred.