Direct Support Professional for Complex Needs

The position for which a person is hired by description will include the general hours that a person can expect to work. This in no way guarantees that these will be the sole hours or days that a staff will always work. Demands of the individuals or needs of the Agency that result in alterations of the schedule that employees work will be met first.

Hours and schedule may change due to the needs of the agency. Any changes in schedule or hours, or overtime must be approved by supervisor or designee.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

Join our team

Lakeshore Community Services is a leading provider of support and care for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Our mission is to empower individuals to live fulfilling lives by providing compassionate and personalized support services.

Join our team as a Per Diem, Direct Support Professional (DSP), specializing in supporting an individual with an intellectual disability and mental health diagnoses. This unique role involves providing intensive care and support to an individual with complex needs. Candidates should be prepared for challenging situations and be committed to making a meaningful difference in this individual's life. Flexible hours including weekends and evenings are required. Hourly rate plus stipend will be $22-24/hr., depending on shift worked.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Complete all direct care responsibilities including cooking, cleaning, daily hygiene, the individuals' activities, and medications administration.

Assist and/or instruct individuals in activities of daily living (meal prep, housecleaning, grocery shopping, laundry and general maintenance); self-care skills (bathing, dressing, personal hygiene skills); safety skills and pre-vocational skills when appropriate.

Complete individual assessment as assigned by House Manager/Program Specialist.

Ensure Individual Support Plans (ISPs) are implemented as written.

As directed by the House Manager/Program Specialist, complete monthly and quarterly reviews of ISPs, and assist in reviewing all ISPs on a quarterly basis, noting both progress and problems, and provides input into the appropriateness of each goal, or the possible need for revision.

As directed by the House Manager/Program Specialist, attend individual medical, dental, financial, psychiatric and other appointments as directed. Documents the results of each appointment on appropriate forms

Act as a role model for individuals and others in appropriate dress and behavior.

Ensure and safeguard confidential treatment of consumer Protected Health Information in written, oral and electronic form maintained and obtained during your work with Lakeshore Community Services, Inc. Share information gained in your relationship with a consumer with only those appropriate persons specifically concerned with the consumer and for the purpose of carrying out treatment, payment, or health care operations.

Demonstrate flexibility to perform direct care duties wherever necessary within the program, including open shifts at alternate locations as directed.

Third-shift and weekend staff will follow detailed notes and assignments from House Manager/Program Specialist. After performing each task, Direct Support Professional will initial third-shift and weekend cleaning logs.

Perform all other related duties within the scope of the position as needed.

Attend in-service training sessions as required.

In cooperation with the individual, ensures all medication is dispensed and logged according to Community Residential Facility (CRF) procedures. Ensure medication is refilled one week before it is emptied.

Assist individuals in scheduling, attending and participating in recreational activities.

Assist individuals in developing age-appropriate hobbies for personal and leisure time.

Ensure that the atmosphere at the CRF is supportive and helpful.

Ensure that each individual receives all the specialized services available to meet his/her needs.

Ensure that residents receive either formal informal counseling during times of personal need and stress.

Note and consider all comments and suggestions made by the BSU Case Manager during monitoring visits and communicate information to Program Manager (PM) or Program Director (PD).

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

Perform all duties in accordance with agency policies as required by appropriate licensing regulations.

Maintain a professional and appropriate level of communication with family/guardians, day program staff, advocates, and support services personnel. Use appropriate agency procedures for reporting concerns and/or complaints.

Maintain effective professional relationships with internal and external sources.

Notify the appropriate Waiver Residential Administrative staff of problems concerning individuals.

Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable finding or concerns. Utilize appropriate agency procedures for reporting concerns and/or complaints

Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Adhere to benefit leave protocols

Consistently demonstrate ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary.

Understand and comply with CRF program philosophy, policy and procedures, and with Office of Developmental Programs and Department of Public Welfare regulations.

Accept and follow established safety regulations and procedures. Promote accident prevention activities. Report unsafe conditions to House Manager/Program Specialist and Maintenance Department. Follow emergency procedures.

Work all scheduled shifts, as well as complete work assignments in a positive, acceptable manner.

Record all hours worked and/or benefit time appropriately on time sheet.

Follow proper procedures for calling-off, late arrivals, and absences.

COMMUNICATION AND COURTESY

Act as a role model for individuals supervised and others in appropriate dress and behavior. Courteous face-to-face, telephone and written communication with consumers, staff and other professionals.

Attentiveness and collaborative participation in agency related meetings.

Respectful attitude and treatment of others from all cultures, sexual orientation, races and faiths

Maintain a professional and appropriate level of communication with consumers, families, program staff, advocates, and support services personnel. Uses appropriate agency procedures for reporting concerns and/or complaints.

Assist maintaining effective professional relationships with internal and external sources.

TEAMWORK

Consistently works in a positive and cooperative manner with others.

Responsible for own actions.

Consider impact of actions on others throughout the agency.

Adapts and supports staff to adapt to changes in role, responsibilities and agency and program policies and procedures.

Respond to the changing needs of people in recovery

PROBLEM SOLVING

Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns. Use appropriate agency procedures for reporting concerns and/or complaints.

Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Adheres to benefit leave protocols and approves staff benefit time.

PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY

Consistently demonstrates ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary.

Understands and complies with CRF program philosophy, policy and procedures, and with ODD, DPW regulations. Participate in quarterly pre-self inspections of the facilities.

Notify direct supervisor of problems concerning participants.

DOCUMENTATION

Review ledgers and receipts, with the review make a statement for accuracy.

Review quarterly review of the individuals' ISP (Individual Support Plan), all bi-annual individual's assessments, and all Behavior Plans for individuals.

Review fire drills.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Attend in-service training sessions and conferences as required.

Maintains the safety of employees and consumers by recognizing conditions which are or could be safety or programmatic hazards, alerts Program Director (PD), Mental Health Services Coordinator and Maintenance Department of safety issues.

SAFETY

Accepts and follows established safety regulations and procedures.

Promote accident prevention activities. Report unsafe conditions to Program Director, and Maintenance Department.

Follow emergency procedures

ATTENDANCE

Works all scheduled shifts, as well as completes work assignments in a positive, acceptable manner.

Documents all hours work or benefit time appropriately.

Follows proper procedures for documenting call-offs late arrivals, and absences of staff.

Forwards documentation to Human Resources department for personnel files.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Lifting/carrying

Occasionally will lift and carry various small household items under 25 lbs.; such as but not limited to dishes, pots and pans, food, clothing, laundry, grocery bags, and supplies. At selected homes, occasional lifting may be required during resident transfers, and in emergency/non-routine situations, the associate may have to lower the resident from waist height to the floor (up to 100 lbs.). At selected homes, occasional lifting of a non-occupied wheelchair may be required. The wheelchair will be lifted from knee height to chest height. The wheelchair can weigh up to 60 lbs. Also, at selected homes, one-person transfer or lift. Required to perform a two-person lift. Occasionally required to lift more than 50 lbs. To lift more than 50 lbs., assistance required. If at ground level, a two or three-person lift is required.

Pushing/pulling

Occasionally will push and pull home furniture. Must be able to push and pull a vacuum cleaner frequently. Snow removal utilizing a shovel is required. At selected homes, frequent pushing/pulling of an occupied wheelchair is required (up to 150 lbs or more).

Climbing

Must be able to climb three flights of stairs frequently throughout a normal work shift and assist individuals up and down stairs while climbing, at selected homes.

Stooping/bending

Frequently required to be in a forward flexed and bent position such as, but not limited to, while performing household duties, interacting with individuals, and assisting individuals with dressing/bathing.

Kneeling

Occasionally kneeling may be required to aid individuals with daily placement and removal of clothes or shoes or when assisting during crisis intervention.

Standing/walking

Frequently walking and standing during normal work shift to perform various household duties. Occasionally sits during evening shift and while documenting on charts.

Handling/grasping

Frequent handling and grasping is required at various parts of the work shift. Grasping of pens, utensils, medications, and small tools as necessary. May be required to grasp or handle individuals during dressing, bathing, and bathroom calls. Handling and grasping of individuals supported may be required to properly resolve non-routine situations.

Reaching

Frequently must reach or place up to 25lbs. at a height between the knee and shoulders. Occasionally reaching is required above shoulders.

Foot/hand controls

Frequent foot and arm control required when operating a motor vehicle to transport the individuals.

Physical Management

Perform one-person physical management including floor restraints when required.

Strength Classification

HEAVY, exertion of 50 lbs. or more of force frequently and able to transfer adult individuals with or without mechanical devices.

Driving

Must be able to operate a motor vehicle