Direct Support Professional (Overnight)

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides assistance to professional case management and supervisory personnel in providing person– centered services in a community residential program for adults functioning within a range of mild to severe intellectual disabilities. This position is distinguished from the Direct Support Professional 4 and 5 positions by not having direct responsibility for case management but having responsibility for providing a wide range of client support activities. General supervision is received from the Residential Supervisor who assigns work and reviews upon completion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: includes but are not limited to:

Client Supports:

1. As a support member of a residential program, assists in carrying out scheduled independent living program activities related to assisting and supporting clients; serves as role model and provides choices and guidance related to shopping activities, personal money management, diet planning and food preparation, home management, personal hygiene, physical fitness, and social and leisure activities. Completes training and maintains goals as scheduled during each shift.

2. Assists and participates in developing goals and objectives for the systematic training and behavior modification of supported individuals; applies knowledge of positive and non-aversive approaches and employs strategies and techniques from MANDT training.

3. Provides timely transportation to supported individuals for daily commuting, healthcare needs, consumer services, and leisure and social activities.

4. When assisting supported individuals with the administration of medication, uses procedures outlined in agency Medication Administration policy and QuickMar with no exceptions. Conducts daily medication audits as directed.

5. Provides for the safety of supported individuals and makes all reasonable efforts to protect individuals from harm, abuse, and exploitation; orients consumers in security, fire prevention and emergency procedures; provides for crisis; contacts appropriate community resources in time of need; administers first aid as necessary.

6. Assists in maintaining ongoing contact with client families and other representatives through phone calls and home visits, responds in a prompt, helpful and positive manner to family inquiries; helps in coordinating community resources to address individual needs and choices.

7. Demonstrates willingness to assist clients in active participation in a variety of client-selected leisure activities on a frequent basis. 8. Interacts with each individual with dignity and respect, and never under any circumstances subjects them to verbal, mental or physical abuse, neglect or mistreatment.

8. Interacts with each individual with dignity and respect, and never under any circumstances subjects them to verbal, mental or physical abuse, neglect or mistreatment.

9. Immediately reports any observation or occurrence of rights violation to supervisor or program director.

10. Offers supported individuals' real choices about what to eat, wear, watch on TV, or how to spend time, and with whom.

Administrative Services:

1. Assists in assuring that the program is in compliance with state and federal licensing requirements. Fulfills all assigned duties related to maintaining license.

2. Completes thorough, accurate, and timely documentation of daily interactions with and supports and choices offered to clients, as well as the client responses, in client, MAR, and program records during each shift worked, per Medicaid Waiver, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) licensure, and agency requirements, using the appropriate Therap protocols and formats.

3. Demonstrates ability to work and communicate positively as a member of the program team.

4. Grocery shopping within prescribed budget restrictions.

In-service and Training:

1. Regularly attends agency in-services, seminars, and workshops to upgrade and maintain knowledge.

2. Attends all monthly employee meetings. Performs additional duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Knowledge: Working knowledge of intellectual disability concepts, principles of normalization, person centered services, independent needs of adults with intellectual disabilities, positive behavior supports, family support and individual choice. Thorough knowledge of the agency’s policy related to fire and safety. Knowledgeable of agency, DBHDS and HCBS policies, settings requirements and client’s rights.

Skills: Demonstrate the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services developed Basic Competencies, and additional Competencies as required by program level. Demonstrate knowledge and compliance with HCBS settings requirements and client’s rights. Safe operation of a passenger vehicle. Maintain CPR and First Aid Certification. Basic computer literacy and keyboarding skills.

Ability: Able to follow directions; abide by agency policies and procedures; interpret agency policies and procedures to clients and/or family members; carry out emergency procedures when needed; effectively communicate verbally and in writing; interact effectively and courteously with team members, clients, and the public; make objective decisions. Able to be flexible in work scheduling. Able to demonstrate proficiency with Therap and QuickMar software.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma with one year experience in the field of intellectual disabilities and/or community residential services preferred.

• Valid Virginia Driver's license, acceptable Department of Motor Vehicles Driving Record and dependable transportation.

• Ability to successfully pass a background check, and other pre-employment screening.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Includes but are not limited to:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Able to lift up to 50 pounds to assist individuals who have physical challenges with positioning, transferring or ambulating as needed.

• Occasionally bend, kneel, stoop and lift to assist supported individuals with tasks such as walking, dressing, toileting and bathing.

• Occasionally required to move within and between worksites for distances of up to fifteen (15) miles.

• Near and far visual acuity to perform activities such as: completing written documentation; viewing a computer terminal; operating a motor vehicle

• Able to communicate with coworkers, supported individuals and their families in person, by phone and/or in writing.

• Able to move safely within the home environment, which may include stairs and multiple stories.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment is a home or apartment setting, and primarily indoors. Outside conditions exist when traveling to and from activities and meetings.