JOB SUMMARY:

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) supports individuals who experience developmental disabilities or related conditions. Serving as an advocate for these individuals, the most important skill needed is a strong sense of empathy and the ability to connect and relate to people of all abilities. A DSP will be caring, supportive and empowering.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Required:
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- Experience working in a collaborative team environment
- Ability to be an active listener with sensitivity to developmental disability issues
- Demonstrate respect to all individuals across the organization
- Complete integrity, honesty, and confidentiality
- Basic computer and math skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Hold a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record, depending on location.

PEOPLE SUPPORTED:

• Identifies with, shares in, and displays a commitment to the vision, mission, core values, and core virtues of ABLE, Inc.
• Advocates for people supported by evaluating the effectiveness of programs used, the person’s quality of life, and offering feedback leading to a more desirable future.
• Assists people supported in their daily life, working with them and their connections to ensure that they can live fully in the community.
• Demonstrates respect for each person’s right to dignity, privacy, individualized attention, and choice.
• Recognizes the capacities, unique gifts and interests of all people supported; demonstrating the ability to advocate on behalf of the person.
• Recognizes the vulnerability and needs of all people supported including the ability to implement plans of protection related to those vulnerabilities.
• Teaches and supports all individuals supported in the areas of living while also looking for opportunities to increase independence, choice, and self-motivation.
• Understands histories of people supported and follows documented plans.
• Understands the financial resources of people supported and provides feedback to supervisory staff when needed.
• Accompanies people supported to appointments and completes follow-up documentation.
• Assists people supported in maintaining appropriate hygiene needs as specified by the individual’s specific plan; including personal hygiene, grooming, feeding, ambulation, medical monitoring and health care related tasks.
• Monitors and ensures clothing and personal items of all people supported are appropriate to need and choice.
• Encourages self-help activities.
• Implements programs and activities as specified and assigned.
• Performs the functions of Trained Medication Assistant by carrying out health care plans and treatments; administering and documenting medications; monitoring the use of medications as well as their side effects; and reporting errors.
• Demonstrates consistent use of behavior intervention and management techniques in a manner that is respectful and as least intrusive as possible.
• Communicates respectfully and in a manner consistent with each person’s abilities and needs.
• Performs home management functions such as housekeeping, laundry, bed making and cleaning.
• Provides communication to other staff, family guardians and supervisory and administrative personnel, demonstrating leadership and promoting positive and professional relationships.
• Provides input to supervisor on goals, methodologies and progress related to the programs of people supported.
• Models positive and professional approaches to program implementation and advocacy skills with peers and people supported.
• Completes all required documentation.
• Follows policies and procedures identified in the Employee Handbook and supports agency goals and Affirmative Action Plan.
• Complies with the policies and procedures outlined in the AWAIR Plan.
• Utilizes emergency and safety procedures effectively.
• Assists in the orientation process and support of new team members.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that need to be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this role successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.