Direct Support Specialist

$1,500 SIGN-ON BONUS AVAILABLE (FULL-TIME POSITIONS ONLY)
Evergreen is an equal-opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Position Description: Direct Support Specialist (DSS)
FSLA Classification: non-exempt
Reports To: Community Home Manager or Program Supervisor
Created: November 29, 2013
Revised: December 21, 2020

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 tasks such as making beds, cleaning floors, and other basic housekeeping tasks.
• Clean the 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 the 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 the 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 notifications 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 a 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 the home, workshop, or job site.
• Regularly assist the 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 medical conditions to perform 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 the home, workshop, or job site.
• Regularly assist the 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 that meets the minimum requirements for Evergreen and reliable transportation.
• Must pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
• Must be able to work some evenings when required.

Working Environment

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