Direct Support Professional

A Direct Support Professional works with clients in a residential treatment setting and is responsible for ensuring that those portions of the treatment plan, which deal with day-to-day and independent living skills, are implemented. Acting as a positive role model and providing therapeutic services, the Direct Support Professional is charged with the fundamental responsibility of the client's health and safety.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for day by day care of the clients in the program including supervision of personal hygiene, social guidance, use of leisure time, and food planning and preparation.
• Develop, supervise and run activity sessions
• Accompany clients on trips and outings and supervise activities
• May be called upon to work one on one with a client who is displaying significant stress or assist with management issues as they relate to clients.
• Accompany the client to medical, social or other necessary appointments
• Shares their experience and observation of the client under care with the treatment team and immediately brings to the attention of the supervisor any unusual issues
• May be required to cook/prepare meals for residents within their division
• Other assigned duties as assigned

Team Process:

• Participates in weekly team meetings
• Participates in regular staff meetings and trainings. May be asked to travel to offsite meetings and trainings

Documentation:

• Completes regular and timely documentation of all resident interactions, including progress and informational notes in the respective electronic records
• Coordinate and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team
• Complete incident reports as appropriate following an incident

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Willingness to work with residents living with the impact of trauma and experience mental health challenges
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals
• Patience and understanding for the sometimes slow process of stabilization and recovery
• Excellent youth engagement skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail

EDUCATIONAL / TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or Equivalency is required.
• Driver’s License preferred but not required in all programs.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Word
• Aptitude for learning new systems and application software

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Travel in the community with residents utilizing agency vehicle if cleared to do so.
• Engage in physical activities with the residents

VISUAL AND MANUAL DEXTERITY:

The candidate should be able to read paper and electronic documents and perform significant data entry into various computer programs. Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to travel independently using public transportation.

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.