Direct Support Professional

TITLE:  Direct Support Professional 

REPORTS TO: Program Supervisor, Manager, and/or Director

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full time (37.5 hours) Non-Exempt. Day or Evening shift hours. Shift hours will be determined based on agency needs. 

MAIN FUNCTION: Provides direct support to participants who require assistance in order to participate in SDP/EP programming.  Implement and perform program activities while encouraging and supporting participant independence.

QUALIFICATIONS: High School Diploma or equivalent and a minimum of two years' experience in related areas, such as healthcare or disability (preferred). Personal Care Assistant (PCA) trained (preferred).  Have an interest in working with people who have traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other neurological challenges. Candidates must possess qualities which include patience, understanding, acceptance, commitment, and a flexible schedule. Experience working with TBI population preferred.  Computer literacy and office experience are preferred. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Works directly with participants to implement the participants' individualized goal plans and other activities. 
2. Using compensatory strategies DSPs will perform and facilitate programming that supports participants including but not limited to:
   1. to function more independently in the clubhouse environment.
   2. Supervising and assisting participants to develop and monitor kitchen safety and hygiene procedures during food preparation.
   3. Work with participants to develop menus, shopping lists, and budgets. 
   4. Facilitates training and provides support to participants in learning clerical tasks and use of office/computer equipment. Provides training and support to participants engaged in activities of daily living.
   5. Gives assistance to participants in program activities such as computer use, exercise equipment, arts, crafts, games, and other activities.
   6. Supports participants in maintaining schedule forms, calendars, and written records.
3. Helps participants, Program Supervisor and/or Program Director in monitoring cleanliness of all areas and completing all cleaning and disinfecting tasks.
4. Assist outing staff as needed with loading and unloading of participants. Drives vehicle(s) to and from outings and is responsible for maintaining vehicle cleanliness and notification of any diagnostic alerts or driving difficulties.
5. Attends all staff meetings and training as required. May be asked to assist in the training and shadowing of new program interns and DSPs.
6. Assists with or redirects participants with decision making and problem solving designed to empower and promote independence.  
7. It is vigilant about participants’ safety and well-being. Also responsible for reporting any issues or concerns related to participants' health, safety, and wellbeing. 
8. Contacts family/caregiver, Service Coordinator and/or other service providers when necessary and documents all such contacts in participants chart.
9. Will perform administrative duties as required by regulators and the Program Manual such as Daily Notes, Activity sheets, Filing, Attendance and other tasks in a timely manner as determined by the Program Supervisor and/or Program Director. 
10. Protects confidentiality per State and Federal guidelines.
11. Performs other duties upon request of the Program Supervisor, Program Director, and/or Management Team or CEO. 
12. Due to the nature of this program, dependability with regard to work schedule is essential.  Any changes to schedule are to be made as described in the Personnel Policy Manual.
13. I understand that I will comply with all regulatory and agency requirements, policies and procedures which include but are not limited to the Personnel, Program and Compliance Policy Manuals, Federal, State and local mandates.

Additional Requirements:

An acceptable NY State Driver’s License

A Criminal Record check

Acceptable documentation of PPD test

Acceptable documentation of Health Status

Educational & Employment verifications

Proof of vaccination records as needed to perform job duties or meet regulatory requirement

Completion of Hickok Center Orientation and Service Specific Training

Blood borne Pathogens Certification

Flexible schedule

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Employees are required to frequently use and move housekeeping supplies weighing up to 20lbs and other adaptive equipment that may have variable weight such as wheelchairs, walkers, etc. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Applicants for this position acknowledge their ability and willingness to carry out all duties outlined in this job description.