Direct Support Professional/Residential Counselor

Job Summary

This position is responsible to assist individuals participating in services in activities of daily living by implementing, supporting, and documenting activities that promote recovery, wellness and self-determination. This position is responsible for supporting community integration. The goal of this position is to promote the pursuit of independence for all individuals participating in service. The position is also responsible for the care and upkeep of the service location. The essential functions are established based upon the agency mission, values, and goals

Essential Functions

• Participate in the development and implementation of service/recovery plans reflecting the individual’s preferences, goals, lifestyles, and interests.
• Assess, teach, evaluate, and supervise individual’s skills in the areas of daily living, meal planning,housekeeping, career needs, and social, recreational, and community activities.
• Complete written documentation daily that reflects the individual’s recovery and progress on their goals as well as staff interventions.
• Assist and oversee individuals with medication regimen including PRN medications.
• Consistently engages in productive/therapeutic activities.
• Encourage and support individuals in developing positive relationships with family and significant others.
• Assist individuals through modeling, verbal teaching, and/or direct assistance with maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of their individual rooms and their residence.
• Assist or prepare various foods for individual meals as required.
• Ensure that any/all dietary considerations are followed. Food shopping must be completed and dietary preferences/concerns will need to be considered.
• Locate and access community medical resources for individual needs as applicable and as instructed.
• Take regular responsibility in shift activities, including but not limited to site trash removal, changing linens, making beds, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning common areas, which include but are not limited to the living room, kitchen, foyer, dining area, and hallways.
• Maintain cleanliness of work areas, including assisting with maintenance of the kitchen, common areas, linen closets, medication storage areas, and staff office.
• Use appropriate communication channels.
• Respond appropriately to safety/emergency situations.
• Drive agency vehicles in a safe manner following the applicable traffic laws for purposes of supporting individuals and/or the program.
• Provide consistent and positive feedback to participantsin relation to the progress made on their goals.
• Provide individuals with opportunities to make informed decisions and support them in their decisions.
• Actively uphold and advocate for individuals’ rights.
• Use knowledge of basic recovery principles and methods of rehabilitation in the performance of your job.
• Ensure individuals participate in appropriate daily activities that promote recovery.
• Use person centered language (non-judgmental or negative) in written documentation.
• Communicate with individuals using language that promotes respect, acceptance and hope for their recovery
• Work creatively with people in recovery with respect to their cultural heritage or cultural identification, age, disability, religious or spiritual identification.
• Actively provides opportunities and support to the individual in finding and expressing spiritual growth/well-being.
• Monitor, assess and report each individual’s need for additional or replacement clothing or personal items and notify Program Supervisor.
• Educate, discuss, and encourage residents to address their daily and long-term physical health.
• Assist individuals who are on smoking precautions to maintain safety.
• Encourage and assist individuals through modeling, verbal teaching, and/or direct assistance to engage in appropriate personal hygiene activities including but not limited to getting dressed, tooth brushing, showering, toileting, etc.
• Review emergency procedures with individuals on a regular basis.
• Assist and supervise individuals in the planning, initiation and participation of social and recreational activities based on their interests.
• Support individuals in accessing the community through use of agency or public transportation.
• Provide the individual with opportunities and supports to access the community resources in achieving their goals

Other Functions

• Adhere to agency/site policies and procedures and perform job within professional standards.
• Perform occasional administrative activities, including but not limited to filing, copying, compilation, and collation of paperwork.
• Complete paperwork/documentation as required.
• Follow instructions accurately and thoroughly while completing assigned tasks within expected time frames.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings with the goal of improving services.
• Attend training programs with the goal of improving services.
• Attend and participate in supervision on an on-going basis.
• Performs job in a safe manner.
• Reports/addresses safety concerns in a timely manner.
• Reports/documents maintenance issues in a timely manner.
• Monitor kitchen, housekeeping and linen supplies for replacement and notify Program Supervisor.
• Adhere to the dress code policy and the site dress code procedures.
• Adhere to supervisor's requests and display ability to take direction.
• Show initiative and demonstrate good judgment.
• Work as scheduled to assure coverage.
• Have and project a positive attitude and image to individuals, family members, and outside contacts.
• Cooperate with other staff and exhibit positive attitude toward position and agency mission.

Qualifications

Required Education: High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education: Bachelor's Degree

Field of study: Human Services or related field

Work Experience (preferred): 1 to 2 years

Life Experience: Working in Human Services field or relevant life experience

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations Required: Valid Driver’s License, CPRP/RPRP Certification is preferred, Certified Peer Specialist is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Strong collaborating skills, and an ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines; high energy, self-motivated and proactive.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask and be flexible with regard to workload and assignments.
• Ability to exercise judgment.
• Knowledge of basic principles and methods of rehabilitation required.
• Motivation, interest and ability to work empathetically with people with disabilities.
• Ability to work independently required.
• Must be able to write and speak English in an understandable manner.
• Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks required.
• Ability to take direction.
• Ability to prepare meals, perform general housekeeping and maintenance duties required.
• Ability to make sound judgments regarding the health/welfare of participant required.
• Ability and willingness to drive agency vehicle required.

Physical and Environmental Job Requirements Rarely Occasionally Frequently Constantly

• Sitting – required to sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area. F
• Standing – required to remain on feet in an upright position for continuous periods of time without being able to leave the work area. O
• Walking – required to walk considerable distances in the facility during the course of work. O
• Lifting – required to raise or lower objects from one level to another regularly.
• Up to 10 pounds O
• 11 to 20 pounds O
• 21 to 30 pounds R
• 31 to 50 pounds R
• 51 to 75 pounds (team lifting as appropriate) R
• 76 to 100 pounds (team lifting required) R
• Carrying – required to carry objects in arms or on the shoulder. O
• Pushing – required to exert force up to 20 lbs. so that an object can be moved away. R
• Pulling – required to exert force up to 20 lbs. so that an object can be moved towards employee. R
• Climbing – required to climb and work in overhead areas. R
• Balancing – required to move between objects or work in overhead areas. R
• Stooping – required to bend forward by bending at the waist. O
• Kneeling – required to move or support self on knees R
• Crouching – required to bend the legs or spine. R
• Crawling – required to work in confined space and move about on hands and knees. R
• Reaching – required to use hands and arms to reach for or place objects. R
• Feeling – required to discriminate between varying textures. R
• Grasping – required to pick up objects with fingers. R
• Substantial Movements – required to perform substantial movement (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. O
• Eye, Hand, Foot Coordination – required to coordinate the eyes, hands, feet with each other in response to visual stimuli. O
• Motor Coordination Skills – required to coordinate eyes, hands, and fingers rapidly and accurately and handle precise movements. R
• Color Determination – required to identify colors through vision. R
• Near Acuity – required close, clear vision with or without correction. O
• Depth Perception – required to distinguish depth. O

NOTE: At the discretion of the Personnel Officer and COO, additional related experience and/or education may be substituted in lieu of the requirements specified above under Education and Experience.