Direct Support Professional - Respite

This is a weekend position. Candidate must be able to work Saturday and Sunday

Full-time 8-day orientation required

SUMMARY

Provides direct support and serves as role model, advocate, and teacher for the people that we support.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the wellbeing of all people in the program with primary duties assigned by the supervisor or designee. Exhibits sensitivity to and respects the rights of the people supported including their emotional and physical needs. Communicates needs or desires of the person supported in both verbal and written form via protocols established by program.
• Provides training, supervision, assistance and monitoring in areas related to the acquisition and retention of daily living skills with the ultimate goal of independence for the people we support using individualized Staff Action Plans. Examples include but aren’t limited to:

o Planning and preparation of nutritionally balanced meals

o Care of the home and personal belongings of the people supported

o Documentation of money management

o Use of community resources

o Personal attendant duties including but not limited to bathing, assistance with using the bathroom, dressing, etc.

• Facilitates community integration and inclusion by locating activities of interest of the person supported, while exploring alternative avenues of interest.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the person’s Staff Action Plan, including documentation and reporting data and other paperwork as required by agency or program.
• Ensures the environment is clean, pleasant, nurturing and inviting through assigned and regular duties.
• Transports people supported in agency vehicles as needed, requested, or scheduled. Adheres to all agency, local, state and federal transportation guidelines to ensure safety of individuals being transported.
• Demonstrates flexibility in order to meet the needs of the people that we support, demonstrating the ability to creatively and proactively address new situations, showing initiative and caring attitude towards the people that we support, other staff and outside contacts. Demonstrates a commitment to working with the population and follows through on tasks within specified or appropriate timeframes.
• Understands and complies with agency and OPWDD regulations and policies.
• Maintains a safe, orderly work environment.
• Physical lifting, pushing, pulling, stooping, bending associated with working with adults with physical disabilities. Must be able to assess the person supported via visual and auditory means.
• Must be able to perform SCIP-R duties and functions.
• Regularly works with normal household cleaning agents to maintain work site.
• Working outdoors during temperate weather and driving in inclement weather as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License and must maintain it in good standing
• High School Diploma or GED required
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with coworkers, employees, residents and their families
• Ability to analyze problems and determine corrective measures
• Six months of related experience is preferred but not required
• All FT Direct Support Professionals must be approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP) at time of hire or will be completely trained and certified by the agency within the first six months of employment.