Direct Support Professional

Job Description

Direct Support Professionals (DSP's) provide services to children & adults with medical and/or physical and developmental disabilities. We strive to help our client live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Depending on the needs of the client, Direct Support Professionals provide assistance with living skills development, health maintenance and medication administration, personal care, and behavioral development.

DSP's work in a number of settings including Group Homes (small residential homes that serve 2-8 people), Day Programs (life skills & pre-employment training, work services and habilitation programming), Home & Community Based Services (in-home care and supports), and Vocational Habilitation (job skill training and job placement).

DSP's working under the direction of a Program Director, Manager and/or Coordinator, work to provide services that enrich the lives of our client with an emphasis placed on creating an environment that encourages the client to experience a full life directly related to our mission of "Creating Opportunities/Supporting Success". DSP's provide respite, assist the client in participating in traditional daily and weekly activities such as shopping at the grocery store, going to movies, enjoying hobbies, employment and vocational activities, etc., DSP's also advocate for client to be fully integrated into community life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Providing client with the highest quality of support and services is the focus of the DSP. Peak Community Services has an uncompromising commitment to quality and integrity'employees are expected to perform their duties and responsibilities to this high standard of quality.

Some of the duties and responsibilities vary in intensity and frequency depending on the assignment.

Advocacy'Assists client with achieving personal goals; works on behalf of client to overcome barriers; helps client participate in activities of their choice; respects consumer's personal beliefs, choices, and interests

Health Maintenance'Provides care and assistance to promote good health; helps client receive medical care and communicates with medical professionals; administers medications according to physician instructions; records information regarding health events, conditions, and status; provides First Aid/CPR and seeks emergency medical care when needed

Personal Care'Supports client with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, and toileting; assists client with their mobility including lifting them from a seated or lying down position, helping them walk and maintain stability

Life Skills Development'Supports client to develop living skills such as cooking, money management, household shopping, doing laundry, personal hygiene, etc; teaches work-related skills and job preparedness; supports client in job search process and maintaining job performance; records progress on skill development and achievement

Behavior Development'Serve as role model and mentor, demonstrating the desired behaviors, and coaches the client using approved techniques and strategies; uses approved physical intervention techniques when they are necessary to protect client and others

Operational Support'Maintains cleanliness of program area; provides transportation for client to their activities; completes tasks that are beyond the consumer's abilities; follows procedures for handling money

Professional Behavior'Acts in a professional manner and communicates effectively with others; completes all required training programs, at least 24 hours annually; attends required meetings

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Ability: Because of the essential duties and responsibilities of the job coach position, applicants for the position must: 1) be able to lift up to 60 lbs, be able to walk, bend, squat, turn at the knees, back, wrists and shoulders, and grasp with both hands (in order to properly perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, Client Intervention Techniques, and Lifting and Carrying Techniques); 2) be able to see and hear with or without correction; 3) must have a high school diploma or GED; 4) have a valid Indiana driver's license and valid auto insurance; 5) be able to speak, read, and write English; 6) be able to complete the Peak Community Services training programs and successfully pass associated tests to meet competency requirements; 7) have basic computer skills including but not limited to sending and receiving e-mail, accessing web page, entering basic data and common use applications; 8) be able to complete all required paperwork and submit by required deadlines and timelines; 9) Required to read and check email on a daily and no less the weekly 10) monitor production and quality control; 11) be able to pass a TB test; and 12) carry out other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Working Conditions: While working as a DSP, employees may be required to deal with the following conditions: 1) Unconventional schedules'Peak Community Services operates programs and services 24/7, 365 days a year; 2) possible exposure to blood borne pathogens; 3) possible exposure to profanity, violent, and/or offensive behavior from the client.