Direct Support Staff

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The Direct Support Staff is responsible for all aspects of resident care as well as for routine maintenance of the residence.

WORKING RELATIONSHIP:

The Direct Support Staff reports directly to the Manager also the Lead Direct Support Staff on duty for all aspects of the job responsibilities. Develops and maintains relationships with the following:

• Residents, Manager, Lead Direct Support Staff, co-workers, Agency Nurses, Agency Behaviorist, residents’ family and/or guardians, Healthcare Consultants, DDS employees, and people in the community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School diploma or GED is required.
2. Obtain and maintain medication certification.
3. Good interpersonal relationship and communication skills.
4. Maturity, good judgment, and ability to handle confidential information.
5. Must be proficient, or become proficient, and maintain proficiency in First Aid, CPR, PMT, Abuse/Neglect, DDS Medication Administration and other resident's specific medical and habilitative needs. Attend all required in-services and staff meetings. Review and follow all agency policies and procedures.
6. Competent in basic computer skills, experienced with electronic health records is preferred.
7. Valid Connecticut Driver’s License and eligibility for Network, Inc.'s auto insurance.
8. Must be physically able to assist participants when necessary (i.e. lifting, using approved adaptive equipment, using approved physical restraint techniques).
9. Must be proficient, or become proficient, and maintain proficiency in the electronic health record system THERAP.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Participate, as assigned, in providing all aspects of direct resident care as described in residents' individual plan and properly documenting activities as appropriate by applicable rules, regulations, and licensing including:

• activities of daily living (ADL)
• individual plan goal activities
• socialization
• development and communication skills
• development of meaningful interpersonal relationships
• development of self-preservation skills
• development of habilitation skills
• personal hygiene
• transportation
• positive role model
• leisure and recreation skills
• development of cooking skills
• implement behavioral plan

2. Participate, as assigned, in all routine residence maintenance as is appropriate within the normal context of home ownership.

3. Responsible for safeguarding and proper handling of residents’ belongings and funds on the premises.

4. Documents appropriate resident and residence electronic health records including:

• periodic resident specific status assessment
• daily resident specific task analysis charts
• other daily resident specific records as directed
• ongoing inter-staff communication in the T-logs
• medication administration documentation
• resident attendance
• ongoing residence maintenance records as directed
• other records as directed

5. Participates in the normal family routine of meal preparation, as needed and assigned.

6. Participation in an ongoing program of staff in-service and staff meetings.

7. Observes all residents' rights and other appropriate legislation affecting the community residence.

8. Adheres to all community residence policies and procedures ,

9. Works as an active and constructive team member in all duties.

10 Maintains resident confidentiality and resident record confidentiality.

11. May be requested to cover coworkers’ vacation, sick, or other planned/unplanned absences from work as well as additional emergency staffing including being frozen in on shift.

12. Other duties as deemed necessary.