Direct Support Specialist

$1,500 SIGN-ON BONUS AVAILABLE (FULL-TIME POSITIONS ONLY)
Job Summary


Responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe, and therapeutic environment for individuals and following through on their plans of care. Assist Community Home Manager or appropriate Program Supervisor as required. Administer medication as allowed by appropriate State medication administration guidelines.

Essential Job Functions

• Ensure the health and welfare of the individual(s) served.
• Assist individual(s) served with medication and treatment plans as needed. Count and dispense appropriate medications as outlined in State medication administration guidelines.
• Train individuals in the care and cleaning of their living area or home by performing and modeling simple task such as making bed, cleaning floor, and other basic housekeeping task.
• Clean living area and assist individuals with laundry.
• Report general maintenance needs of living area or home unit.
• Assist individuals with money management including budgeting, banking, and shopping
• Assist individuals with daily life activities(when applicable) such as: meal preparation, reading usage, use of telephone, use of community services (post office, mass transportation), housekeeping, clothing care, self-care, and personal hygiene.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the Active Treatment Plan and Nutritional, Behavior, and Physical Support plans.
• Accompany and transport individuals to activities such as medical/dental appointments, church services, recreation areas, work, and shopping as requested.
• Complete all required documentation (i.e. daily notes, incident reports, medical information such as seizures, vital signs as trained medication errors, etc.) in accordance with applicable state agency(ies) and Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. policies and procedures
• Implement behavioral and other programs as trained and requested.
• Assist individuals with their goals as outlined in their plan of care document(s)
• Identify potential behavior triggers and defuse or redirect as needed to ensure safety and well-being of all involved.
• Report accidents/incidents and suspected cases of abuse or neglect of individuals per Evergreen policies and procedures.
• Provide instruction to individuals involved in work activities associated with vocational opportunities.
• Provide supervision to staff in absence of the manager and monitor the needs of the home(s) as required during shift. Assist with emergencies and urgent matters as they arise and make appropriate notification to management.
  
  

Qualifications/Experience/Job Knowledge

• Effectively read, write and communicate verbally in English and must be able to read and understand instructions, perform record-keeping and write reports
• One year of experience in providing care, guidance or training to individuals with developmental, physical, or psychiatric disabilities
• Valid drivers license with acceptable driving record per Evergreen policy for insurance purposes and proof of liability coverage if a vehicle is owned
• Meet and maintain all requirements of the applicable state agency(ies), including good standing with state abuse and neglect registry
• Submit to and pass drug screen and criminal background check
• Ability to learn basic computer skills (i.e. turn on/off, log in/out, input data, approve timesheet)
• Successful completion of appropriate State medication administration certification and up to date training

Physical Requirements

• Constantly moves about to coordinate work
• Regularly moves and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds while assisting individual(s) served in home, workshop, or job site.
• Regularly assist individual(s) served physically by lifting and positioning them as appropriate
• Constantly alert and aware to individual(s) served needs
• Occasionally exposed to viruses and infectious conditions
  
  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities or a medical condition to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Requirements

• Will not supervise
  
  

Special Requirements

• Constantly moves about to coordinate work
• Regularly moves and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds while assisting individual(s) served in home, workshop, or job site.
• Regularly assist individual(s) served physically by lifting and positioning them as appropriate
• Constantly alert and aware to individual(s) served needs
• Occasionally exposed to viruses and infectious conditions
  
  

Employment Variables

Must have a good driving record which meets the minimum requirements for Evergreen and reliable transportation. Must pass drug screen and criminal background check. Must be able to work some evenings when required. May be asked to work some evenings when required.

Working Environment


May be required to work in a variety of settings and environments both indoors and outdoors.

I have read the above job description and I fully understand the conditions set forth therein, and I will perform these duties to the best of my knowledge and ability. Furthermore, I understand that nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; and nothing in this job description is intended to create an employment contract or otherwise alter the at-will nature of my employment.