Direct Support Specialist

Job Details Job Location: Caring Hands & More LLC Business Office - Iowa City, IA 52240 Position Type: Part Time Salary Range: $ $15.25 Hourly Job Shift: Any

As a Direct Support Professional (DSP) you make a genuine difference in the lives of the Individuals we serve. You will help advance their personal independence, dignity, and growth as you help to remove barriers to independence and inspire personal success.

Key Responsibilities

As a DSP, you will support individuals with disabilities by providing assistance to allow the individuals we serve to live more independently in a home environment by working with them to achieve their personal goals. These may include:

•  Assisting with meal planning, shopping, and preparation to further the goal of healthy eating,
• Connecting individuals to activities in the community to support physical and mental health.
• Providing encouragement and coaching to support individuals learning skills for daily living.
• Assisting individuals with shopping in the community for personal wants and needs.
• Supporting individuals with household tasks such as light cleaning, taking out trash, and laundry tasks
• Assisting individuals with medication needs (monitoring or distributing)
• Coaching individuals on financial management

As a DSP you will provide safety support. These might include monitoring the safety and security of the living environment, monitoring and oversight of internet/phone activities if they prove a safety concern, monitoring and providing support for snow removal and/or salting of walking surfaces during inclement weather, and reporting any unsafe conditions to your Site Supervisor for remediation.

One of the most important responsibilities of a DSP is communication with the individuals we serve. Listening to their wants and needs and assisting with practical guidance while respecting their autonomy and dignity, is crucial to the development of independent living skills. DSPs will maintain professional boundaries as they perform the role of mentor for the individuals they serve.

As a DSP you will document the support you provide for each of the individuals you serve. These supports may include activities toward the advancement of goals, medication administration, monitoring and oversight provided, and reports of significant events. Documentation must be completed before the end of each shift. Your direct supervisor will work with you to provide the support needed to meet this task. Documentation is a core responsibility of this role to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations.

Agency Supports

As a DSP, you will be assigned to one or more homes. Your immediate Site Supervisor is your go-to for support. You will work with your supervisor to address any house concerns, scheduling concerns, or other barriers to your success or the success of the individuals we serve. You will work as a team with your supervisor and other DSPs to strategize the best plan to provide for the needs of all the individuals in the house.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• At least 18 years old
• At a minimum, a high school diploma or GED
• A passion for supporting others, respect for individual differences, and the ability to advocate for the best plan of action for the individuals we serve are the most important requirements of this position.
• Sound judgment and good decision-making skills are extremely important.
• A willingness to adapt current skills and learn new skills and new ways to deliver services to the individuals we serve is crucial to personal and professional growth.
• An acceptable driving record is preferred to assist individuals in the community.

Benefits

• Growth opportunities: most higher-level SCL positions are filled from within.
• Collaborative and respectful working relationships
• Skill development The skills you learn at CHAM apply to all parts of life. These skills include effective communication, creative problem-solving, and collaboration with diverse teams. CHAM provides many opportunities for training to support personal and professional growth and development.

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