Direct Support Staff - Old Lyme - Part Time

Job Summary
The Direct Support Staff position is responsible for providing quality care to individuals with intellectual disabilities. This includes personal, household, and program-related care tasks as needed and a commitment to being an active part of the individual’s care team.

Program Settings
Direct Support Staff are assigned to one of ECDC’s service models:

• Residential: A community living arrangement where three or fewer individuals choose to share a home. Services are provided 24 hours a day.
• Day Support Option (DSO): A day program that gives individuals supervised, productive time outside their home, including social activities, planned recreation, life skills training, and a focus on each individual’s needs and preferences.
• Senior Supports: A residential-based program for individuals of an older population, or those whose needs closely resemble an older population. It focuses on maintaining skills, social interaction, and community engagement to prevent isolation.

Job Location
Staff are assigned to a specific residential home or day program site. Staff are expected to be trained on, and proficient in working with, each individual at their assigned location.

Duties/Responsibilities

General

• Provides supervision to individuals according to the level of supervision, level of need, Individual Plan (IP), and Behavior Support Plan (BSP), if applicable.
  • Supervision can include 1:1, 2:1, or group care, as outlined in each person’s care plan.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all individuals and any sensitive information, such as abuse and neglect investigations.
• Maintains a secure, positive environment that nurtures individuals’ needs, self-expression, and goals.
  • Maintains positive relationships with coworkers, supervisors, administrative team members, consultants, and others encountered during work. Positive relationships create a harmonious environment for the individuals and model healthy relationships within their community.
• Follows all items outlined in the Individual Plan to ensure quality care.
• Participates in planning outings and activities as applicable to the individuals in their care.
• Follows directives given by a supervisor or administrative team member.

Training

• Completes all required training within the first 180 days of employment.
• Completes all required annual/bi-annual trainings before their due dates.
• Obtains DDS Medication Administration Certification within the first 6 months of hire.
• Attends all staff meetings, trainings, and other assigned meetings or appointments as needed. Two weeks’ notice will be given for mandatory meetings.
• Models good work habits and routines for new employees to assist the manager with training.

Home/Program Environment

• Treats the individual’s home or program space with dignity and respect, as an employee there to assist with daily task completion.
• Keeps the home or program space clean and safe, involving individuals as an independence activity where appropriate. This includes:
  • Vacuuming/sweeping daily.
  • Organizing and straightening all areas daily.
  • Cleaning bathrooms.
  • Cleaning and putting away dishes.
  • Changing linens weekly at a minimum, and sooner if needed (residential settings).
  • Disinfecting surfaces to minimize exposure to viruses or allergens.
• Understands and adheres to the service model of the assigned program, as outlined in the program-specific job description.

Community

• Works with individuals to identify ways they can be active members of their community on a regular basis.
• Encourages individuals to attend events and activities that build social skills and provide stimulating interaction.

Well-Being/Medical

• Ensures individuals are dressed appropriately for the weather and look and feel their best, including at pickup and drop-off where applicable.
• Maintains individuals’ hygiene as appropriate to the setting, including showering, hair washing, toothbrushing, and nail care.
• Prepares nutritionally appropriate meals and follows all dietary and consistency recommendations. This standard applies to dining in the community and at the home/program.
• Dispenses and charts individuals’ medications accurately, including daily and “as needed” prescribed medications and standing orders. Only DDS Medication Administration certified staff may perform this task.
• Weighs individuals weekly where required, reports any gain or loss as directed in a timely manner, and records this information in Therap.
• Ensures all adaptive equipment is in use and working properly. Reports any equipment that is not working properly to the appropriate person immediately.

Reporting & Records

• Reports genuine emergencies, as outlined in the Emergency On Call policy, to the Emergency On Call (EOC) immediately. Does not call the EOC for non-emergency issues.
• Reports suspected abuse or neglect of an individual to AID immediately or as required by the end of shift. If unsure about an event or occurrence, contacts their direct supervisor or the EOC for assistance.
• Completes incident reports fully before the end of shift.
• Reports all medical emergencies and falls to the RNOC service and to their direct supervisor.
  • If an individual shows a significant change in demeanor that might indicate a medical need, contacts RNOC for assistance and guidance.
• Records all daily documentation in Therap before the end of shift, including:
  • Progress notes.
  • Target behaviors.
  • All data outlined in the IP and BSP.
  • Individual attendance.
• Reads the communication log at the start of every shift to provide continuous care with minimal disruption to the individuals.
• Leaves comments in the communication log for the next shift before the end of every shift. Comments must be courteous and related only to work activities.

Monetary

• Obtains receipts for all purchases made with petty cash or an individual’s funds. Receipts must meet the following specifications:
  • Dated, with clear details of what was purchased and where.
  • Gas receipts must show the number of gallons purchased and the price per gallon.
  • The purchasing staff member must initial the receipt.
  • If funds were used for an individual’s food or drink, the employee must write on the receipt that dietary guidelines were followed.
• Logs purchased items in the appropriate ledger for record keeping.
• Calculates tips using the tipping charts available in each program for any purchase that would reasonably require tipping.
• Records in the individual’s inventory any non-disposable item purchased with the individual’s funds that is over $25 (pre-tax).

Vehicle

• Ensures employees and individuals always wear seatbelts.
• Obeys all traffic laws.
• Checks the company vehicle and records daily maintenance in the log before use.
• Records vehicle mileage in the log. When using a personal vehicle for work-related activities, records mileage on a mileage log and submits it to a supervisor.
• Maintains vehicle cleanliness.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Has 3 or more years as a licensed driver.
• Holds a valid Connecticut or Rhode Island driver’s license.
  • Connecticut residents with a license from another state have 90 days to transfer it to Connecticut, as required by CT law.
• Has a clean background check, including federal/state criminal checks, driving record, and DDS Abuse & Neglect Registry check. These are checked annually.
• Uses computer and paper systems to record data and information. Previous experience with Therap is preferred.
• Maintains an absenteeism rate of 2% or lower.
• Is reliable, arrives on time, and leaves at the scheduled end of shift.
• Works well both on a team and independently with a diverse group of people.
• Has strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Takes initiative in creating activities and planning outings as needed.
• Remains awake and alert for the entirety of a scheduled shift.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• CPR & First Aid Certification (preferred; ECDC will train at hire if not already certified).
• PMT Certification (preferred; ECDC will train at hire if not already certified).
• DDS Medication Administration Certification (preferred; ECDC will send the employee to a certification class within the first 6 months if not already certified).
  • As of 2024, employees must pass the state certification within the first 6 months of hire to remain employed with the agency.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to bend, stoop, push, pull, reach, sit, and walk for periods of time, including standing or sitting for up to 1 hour at a time.
• Must be able to perform physical management techniques, including floor control, restraints, kneeling, bending, twisting, and stretching.
• Must be able to work in a caregiving role and remain awake for up to 12 hours without interruption.
• Must be able to be alone with an individual in their care.
• Must be able to run or walk quickly as needed.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs as needed.
• Must be able to take a written or computer exam as needed.