Direct Support Professional

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, LLC

Community Care Services

Looking for: 

Fulltime and part-time Direct Support Professionals (DSP)

DSP (Full Time) for Group Home in Suffolk, VA (Overnights 12:00 AM - 8:00 AM)

DSP for In-home Support in Norfolk, VA (Weekends Mornings & Evenings)

DSP for In-home Support in Chesapeake, VA (Mornings & Evenings)

Hiring manager can be reached directly via email at jlee@cofriends.com

Place "Employment" in email subject

JOB TITLE:  DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Coordinator, the Direct Support Professional will exhibit practical knowledge of behavior management techniques, implementation of basic motor skills training techniques, alternative communication systems and medical aspects of disabled populations; ability to work with developmentally disabled children and adults; enable individuals to acquire, improve, and maintain maximum functional abilities; train, assist in settings which allow peer interactions and an opportunity for community and social  integration;  provide direct-care in areas such as personal care, communication, independent living, socialization, recreational, leisure skills, etc; ensure safety and welfare of individuals by adhering to OSHA regulations; good oral and written communication, and documentation skills. 

 All staff employed by CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, LLC will have successfully completed the screening and interview process.  CPR and 1st Aid certifications are preferred as a prerequisite to employment.  All employees will undergo a criminal background check and a registry check.  Within 30 days of employment, all direct care personnel will have successfully completed training and passed the tests for the ID/DD Staff Orientation Workbook and completed orientation training.  Within the first 60 days of employment all direct care professional will have successfully passed the state medication administration training and completed behavior management technique training.  All DSPs will pass competency evaluations within 180 days of employment with the agency.

This position is directly supervised by the by the Coordinator.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Provide training in self, social and environmental awareness skills

Provide training in sensory stimulation, gross and fine motor skills

Provide training in functional skills related to the use of community resources (transportation, shopping, restaurants, and social and recreational activities, etc.)

Provide assistance and training in community safety, appropriate peer interactions, and social skills

Provide training in learning and problem-solving skills

Provide training in adapting behavior to home and community environments (training in developing circle of friends, redirecting anger toward others, etc.)

Training in functional skills related to personal care activities (toileting, bathing and grooming, dressing, eating, mobility, communication, household chores, food preparation, money management, shopping, etc.)

Monitor health and physical condition; assistance with medication and/or other medical needs

Provide assistance with personal care, activities of daily living, and use of community resources (assistance in completing personal care tasks when physically unable to learn to do so, assistance to ensure hygiene and eating needs are met, such as hand-over-hand shaving or tooth brushing, etc.)

Specialized supervision to ensure individual’s health and safety.  Specialized supervision provides staff presence for ongoing or intermittent intervention to ensure an individual’s health and safety.

Assistance with transportation of the individual to and from training sites and community resources

Provide opportunities to use functional skills in community settings

Ensure the health, safety and welfare of individuals by adhering to OSHA regulations

Identify escalating at-risk behavioral indicators and assist with implementation of behavioral deceleration programs through the use of approved behavioral intervention management

Train and supervise adults and children with intellectual disabilities

Implement individuals program plans, including active treatment in the areas of self-help, community living, motor development, communication, etc., both in the home and while utilizing community resources

Implement range-of-motion exercises, appropriate positioning, and other motor skills training, as necessary

Assist with supervision of individuals during fire drills

Utilize positive behavior management techniques to motivate individuals

Utilize manual communication and other alternative communication systems, with nonverbal and language-delayed individuals

Document as required in the individuals personal records file and enter data as instructed for individual programming

Ensure that individuals who live at the group homes, and those who are assisted in the home meet the highest standards of appearance and cleanliness necessary for public scrutiny.

Ensure that the congregate residential home remains clean at all times

Responsible for documenting on Support Logs, Learning Logs, ISP checklists, behavioral logs, and other forms as needed, for each individual

Provide transportation service for individuals

Attend and satisfactorily complete all required training in areas such as first aid, CPR, OSHA, Human Rights, Home and Community-Based services (HCBS), seizure control, medication training, Therapeutic Options (TO), and Medicaid Waiver information, etc.

Other responsibilities as assigned by Circle of Friends President, designee, Coordinator, or other management personnel

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED), and minimum of one (1) year of work experience in ID, MH, Human Services, or knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field preferred

Valid operator’s drivers license

Good Criminal Records Report

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Behavior management techniques (positive and negative reinforcement, shaping, DRO, chaining response cost, etc.)

Basic motor skills training techniques

Alternative communication systems, such as manual signing and communication boards

Medical aspects of populations with disabilities

Handicapping conditions of adults with developmental disabilities

Safe driving techniques

SKILLS IN:

Data collection

Oral and written communication

Implementing individualized plans

Use of appropriate task prompts

ABILITY TO:

Implement and maintain individual program plans

Utilize and/or implement behavior management intervention techniques

Implement alternative communication systems such as manual communication

Maintain confidentiality

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with staff, individuals, and their families and other professional and paraprofessionals

Lift 50 pounds waist high

Maintain effective working relationships

Direct Support Professional Job Description cont’d

Exercise sound judgment

Effectively supervise and train individuals

Complete assigned required documents

Attend and satisfactorily complete all required training in first aid, CPR, seizure control, Medicaid Waiver information, Intellectual Disabilities Staff Orientation Workbook, behavioral management, medication management or similar training, etc.

Maintain a valid driver’s license and an insured vehicle to transport individuals