Direct Support Professional

Job Summary

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for the daily care of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a group home setting. Care can include cooking, cleaning, personal care, transportation, handling intensive behaviors, medication administration, etc. The DSP’s primary focus is to provide services, and advocate for individuals to live independent and productive lives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, the employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are representative of the job but are not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned as needed.

Duties

• Provides individuals with physical, emotional, and social support in the home and community.
• Reads each individual service plan (ISP) and ensures the individual’s care needs are understood.
• Follows individual support plans.

• Consult the House Manager or Behavior Support Specialist (BSS) if further clarity is needed at any time.
• Learn the individual’s routines, likes and dislikes, and behavior triggers.
• Build positive rapport with the individuals served.
• Promote independence in daily activities by teaching self care skills
• Facilitate the individual’s inclusion in community experiences and activities.
• Understands the group home’s rules, what is allowed and not, and the processes used to care for the individuals.
• Responsible for understanding the prescribed medications, administering them in the correct dose at the right time, and appropriately documenting this information.
• Provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as hygiene assistance, i.e. toileting, brushing teeth, and bathing/showering and other daily living tasks
• Encourage independence with general life skills.
• Complete household cleaning and chores and ensure the home is always in good order and safe.
• Prepare menus, grocery shop and prepare balanced meals.
• Assist the individual with making small purchases and documenting the same.
• Respond to challenging behaviors, including verbal and physical aggression.
• Transport individuals for outings and activities, following all rules of the road.
• Complete timely and thorough documentation including daily notes on the individual’s day and challenges, general event reports (GER), and any other required documentation.
• Assists with home safety checks and fire drills.
• Completes annual trainings.
• Follows all guidelines and direction regarding appropriate use of phones, computers, and other devices and technology.
• Acts as an advocate.
• Properly completes shift change routine when arriving and leaving shift.
• Ensures all services are provided in line with current rules, regulations, laws, and Cornerstone policies and procedures.

• Is a strong team member who tries to resolve conflicts or concerns with co-workers directly before bringing them to the House Manager.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times.
• Responsible for keeping the individuals in the house safe from any health hazards.
• Report any instances of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the appropriate authorities so protective services can investigate.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the job but are not all inclusive.

• Must be 18 years or older
• High School Diploma or GED required
• Passion for serving others required
• Must be able to work a variety of shifts, including overnights and weekends

• 1+ years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities preferred.
• Dependable, reliable, and punctual.

• Ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire and biennially
• Possess a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and have auto insurance
• Ability to obtain/maintain First Aid and CPR certification

• Ability to obtain/maintain OIS certification
• iLearn Core Competencies or Workday (Preferred)

• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Adaptability and the ability to work in a crisis calmly and in a positive manner
• Compassionate, supportive, easy going, good-humored personality
• Patient, organized, and an effective problem solver with excellent follow through
• Great common sense and able to consistently, and confidently, make good decisions

• Must be able to read and write routine reports
• Ability to relate effectively with individuals and their families.
• Able to prevent and resolve conflicts
• Strong team player
• Behaves in alignment with our values of Compassion, Integrity, and Responsibility· Treats others with respect and dignity

• Detail-oriented and able to work with and abide by state and organizational rules and policies.

• Flexible and adaptable to change.
• Excellent multi-tasker who can function well in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish clear boundaries and set limits
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and willingness to assist others

Working Conditions:

Works primarily in a group home and occasionally in an office environment.

May transport individuals to events, activities in the community.

Must be aware of and demonstrate good driving habits at all times.

The physical demands of this job vary depending on the client and the needs of the client.

Quickly applying skill in non-aversive crisis intervention, listening, observing, monitoring own actions to ensure they are not disturbing to the clients’ environment.

May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset individuals throughout the day. 

Must have good manual dexterity, can sit, stand, kneel, climb stairs, squat, get in and out of a vehicle, and be able to frequently lift and carry up to 30 lbs and maneuver 75 lbs when dealing with individuals.

Will stand, walk, or sit for significant periods of time.

Position requires phone, computer use, occasional bending, and stooping.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment.

Regular attendance is required to perform the job satisfactorily.

Weekend availability is required.

Open availability is preferred. 

All training hours are paid at base rate of $24.00 per hour

We provide 24-hour care for our clients, to obtain full time hours you must have flexible availability. Full time hours are not guaranteed.

Cornerstone Valley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training