Direct Support Professional

Job Summary:

The Direct Support Professional establishes a secure and positive environment that fosters the client's self-expression, needs, and goals. This role involves providing support, supervision, and training to individuals with disabilities served in the Medicaid Waiver Program. The position requires providing services in the home, at school/work, or in the community, while maintaining accurate documentation of service provided. The Direct Support Professional also provides independent life skills support services to clients, including assistance with daily living tasks, meal preparation, and transportation. This position requires one-on-one staffing to client up to multiple clients during shifts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist individuals with independent living skills, such as bathing, toileting, personal hygiene, dressing, brushing teeth, cutting nails, laundry, housekeeping, and meal preparation.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment by cleaning the home, informing the Waiver Office about any broken/inoperable items, locking up medication and toxic chemicals, and reporting any problems that could cause injuries or illness.
• Assist with planning weekly menus, grocery shopping, and preparing nutritional meals, ensuring meals are prepared in accordance with posted menus.
• Provide training and support in areas identified in the PCSP plan and behavior management, including providing training to clients as outlined in the PCSP to meet their goals.
• Participate in the development of the PCSP goals.
• Support the needs and goals of each client by taking them to medical appointments, to visit family and friends, to preferred leisure/recreational activities, and encouraging them to socialize with peers.
• Provide non-Medicaid transportation to enable individuals to access the waiver and other community services and resources.
• Transport clients to and from home to work and or community outings as needed.
• Ensure individual's rights are honored.
• Accurately complete documentation pertaining to goals and daily t-logs in a timely manner, as well as other documentation that may consist of travel logs, goal/objective data sheets, progress notes, case notes, communication logs, time sheets, billing sheets, MAR, and etc.
• Implement approved emergency procedures in the event of a fire, earthquake, or other natural disasters.
• Communicate on a regular basis with Waiver Office, day programs, and other service providers and agencies as needed.
• Report special incidents and suspected client abuse according to applicable laws and regulations, including completing General Event Report (GER) forms and reporting to the Waiver Office.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in continuing education and training.
• Administer medications to individuals and follow the five rights for verification purposes.
• Provide direct care to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively with consumers, clients, and staff.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, reports, or manuals.
• Ability to understand and operate computer systems and programs, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel, prepare documents, interpret and develop spreadsheets.
• Valid state Driver's License.
• Valid vehicle insurance.
• Valid vehicle registration.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and complete general business documents, regulatory/licensure manuals, etc.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in related fields.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledgeable of clients' rights.
• Have reliable transportation and/or the ability to access transportation services required as appropriate.

Work Environment:

• The work environment is consistent with a typical home and setting.
• Exposure to the outdoor elements is typical to the time of year and area of the community.
• May occasionally experience moderate noise levels.
• The work environment is in a client's home in the community.

Physical Demands:

• This role requires sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, pulling, repetitious computer and phone computer, talking to people, etc.
• Must be able to lift or push 50 lbs., on occasion.
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time.

Travel:

Less than 50% local travel is expected for this position. Will have to transport clients to and from the day programs, doctor appointments, grocery stores, etc.

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum level of education required - High School Education Required, or GED or equivalent.
• Minimum years of experience required - One (1) year of relevant, supervised work experience with a public health, human services or other community served agency.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Preferred level of education required - Bachelor Degree.
• Preferred years of experience required - Two years' verifiable experience with individuals with developmental disabilities in a related field.
• Preferred knowledge of programs and services for individuals with disabilities.
• Preferred experience working with nonprofit organizations.
• Previous work with state licensures and related annual audits a plus.

Additional Eligibility qualifications:

• Must pass an extensive background check.
• Must comply with drug testing requirements.
• Reliable transportation is required.
• If you are a van driver for ERC, you must have a valid Arkansas driver's license, meet safe driver's requirements and be 25 years of age.
• Required and/or Preferred Certificates for this job -
• Licensure requirements - Must meet minimum licensure annual training requirements.
• This role includes licensure requirements for Administrators, Health & Safety, and HIPPA training.
• Be certified to perform CPR and first aid within 30 days of employment.

Other Duties:

As required to fulfill the ERC mission.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities and activities, and may change at any time with or without notice.

The employee signature below constitutes the employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position. I further understand;

• It is my responsibility to forward requests for reasonable accommodation in writing to the Human Resources Department.
• It is my responsibility to notify Human Resources of any health condition that would impact the performance of essential position functions and/or any communicable disease or illness that has been contracted which would endanger staff or consumers during the normal course of performing essential position functions.

THIS IS A SAFETY-SENSITIVE JOB FOR PURPOSES OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL MARIJUANA AMENDMENT

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:

The Elizabeth Richardson Center (ERC) is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, creed, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, ancestry, family status, medical condition, family care leave, genetic predisposition or status as a covered veteran and other protected characteristic under applicable law.

ERC embraces the concepts of a diverse workforce, and applies this to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company-sponsored employee activities. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity, or age limitations will be adhered to by the company where appropriate.

ERC will take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that minority group individuals, females, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, Armed Forces service medal veterans, and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.

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