Direct Support Professional

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Experience:  Life experiences appropriate to the position; Experience working with developmentally disabled persons preferred. 

Supervises:  None

Summary:  The DSP supervises adults with disabilities, using reasonable actions to ensure the safety and well-being of each adult, effectively communicate facility and programmatic behavioral expectations and limitations to adults and maintain compliance with agency policies and procedures and established state and federal standards and requirements. 

To successfully perform this job, the employee may be expected to perform the following, with or without reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990:

Essential Functions:
1. Work as support in homes and assist in maintaining a safe, comfortable, home-like environment for residents.
2. Assist each resident toward achieving active treatment goals, working formally and informally to provide active treatment through all activities and interactions as trained and document formal active treatment.
3. Observes and documents resident behaviors on appropriate forms such as Incident and Accident Reports, Behavior Progress Notes, Weekly Progress Notes, or other forms as necessary utilizing Therap and/or PCC.
4. Reports serious incidents to Administrator on Duty promptly.
5. Assist residents, as needed, with showers, brushing teeth, and other personal hygiene or grooming needs.
6. Prompts and provides training to residents on laundry, cleaning, daily living skills and cooking following established menus.
7. Attends annual and interim staffing which address issues of resident care and participates in active treatment planning and implementation for residents as available.
8. Provides transportation for residents to events and activities or with shopping needs and personal errands following all transportation protocols and training.
9. Supervises residents in cottage during daily self-administration of medications, documents and properly secures medications as trained
10. Conducts monthly fire drills and quarterly emergency preparedness drills.
11. Communicates promptly with Staffing Director and QIDP regarding needs and problems of individual residents.
12. Establishes a safe, comfortable, home-like environment for residents and prompts residents to maintain the home.
13. Orients residents to his/her living quarters, daily schedule, and household routines with supervision of residents.
14. Promotes independence and offers choices for each resident.
15. Submits work orders for needed repairs and maintenance to Helpdesk in an accurate and timely manner.
16. Follows instructions for scheduled activities
17. Teaches and models for residents how to resolve conflicts in appropriate and constructive ways.
18. Ensures safety and supervision of residents while in group activities, giving one-on-one attention to any resident who is stressed, distressed, or in need of special support for a brief interval of time.
19. Model appropriate behaviors and expected manners always maintaining professional boundaries.
20. Advocates for residents' rights and needs.
21. Works as assigned by the Director of Residential Staffing.
22. Follows all BVT policies and procedures, state and federal guidelines required by CMS, HHSC, DFPS, and other regulatory agencies. 
23. Complete all required documentation prior to completion of shift. 
24. Meet all pre-determined deadlines required by program supervisor. 

Measurable Deliverables:
1. Assists each resident toward the achievement of active treatment goals and documents using agency approved method of documentation.
2. Supports residents in each home during self-administration of medications and ensures documentation is accurate.
3. Documents resident behaviors on appropriate forms such as Incident and Accident Reports, Behavior Progress Notes, Weekly Progress Notes, or other forms as necessary through Therap and/or PCC.
4. Conducts required fire drills and emergency preparedness drills.
5. Support residents through effective use of positive behavior support plans
6. Assist with grocery, household, and hygiene supply lists monthly
7. Performs and maintains routine checks and documentation to Hot Water Temperature Checks, Water Pressure Checks, Refrigerator Checks, Emergency Lights, Emergency Food and Water Checks, etc.
8. Maintain annual training requirements
9. Maintain a secure campus environment by making rounds as required, and by using proper application of radio communication protocols including responding to all radio calls. 
10. Take actions to promote positive interaction between residents and encourage them to take responsibility in the facility's daily routine. 
11. Model culturally and socially appropriate behaviors while explaining the behaviors to residents to facilitate learning and replication of the behaviors. 
12. Work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed or requested by position supervisor. 
13. Implement BVT safety protocols including evacuating with residents and other staff in case of an emergency. 
14. Maintain confidentiality in all areas of resident and program operations. 
15. Maintain BVT professional and ethical standards of conduct outlined in BCFS employee handbook including showing respect for agency staff, clients, client's family members and community members and complying with required dress code. 

Other Responsibilities: 

1. Other job duties as assigned.
    

Credential, Skills and Abilities: 

1. 18 years of age or older
2. Possess a valid Texas drivers' license, work eligibility status, and have a defensive driving record. 
3. Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request.
4. Must pass all pre-employment background checks including Criminal History, Employee Misconduct, Nurse's Aide Registry, driving check and pass annual background checks.
5. Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screen throughout employment.
6. Knows the indicators of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and appropriate reporting and documentation procedures.
7. Demonstrate the ability to:
a. Employ preventive and de-escalation techniques in crisis intervention.
b. Administer, document, and storage of resident medications. 
c. Show appreciation and appropriate affection consistent with professional boundaries to residents without the gesture being misinterpreted.
d. Communicate in both written and oral communication.
e. Knows normal patterns of human growth and development.
f. Function compatibly and participate constructively in a team environment and always maintain emotional control and professional composure
g. Plan, organize, and prioritize tasks to work efficiently without intensive supervision independently and as an interdisciplinary team member.
h. Teaching and mentoring residents.
i.  Administer first aid and CPR if necessary.
8. Demonstrate a working knowledge of all Residential Services policies and procedures.
 

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EEO Statement

In accordance with Title VII  of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

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