Direct Support Professional

Our Mission:

The Staff and Board of Directors of Laurel House, Inc. feel that, while we all have much in common, we are also often very different in terms of our feelings, emotions, needs, and capabilities. In such a world where all persons differ, we believe that every individual should have the opportunity to develop to his/her fullest potential.

We believe that all individuals have the capability to learn, as well as the right to do so and that this capability can be developed through experiences conducive to growth and development, morally, spiritually, socially, esthetically, physically, and educationally. We believe, in this context, that individuals never stop learning throughout their lifetime.

Accordingly, it is our commitment at Laurel House, Inc. to develop and make available whatever programming is necessary to assist our Individuals in achieving their optimal potential, to demonstrate to them their rights as well as their responsibilities so that they might become respected members of society.

Laurel House, Inc. offers residential services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and we strive to help them achieve their everyday lives that they deserve. This position is meant for someone who has the goal to assist us, as an organization, in furthering that achievement and growth.

To learn more, please visit our website: https://laurelhouseinc.org/

Position Summary

This position is a non-exempt, hourly position with a six-month probationary period. The Direct Support Professional provides care and supervision to all Laurel House Individuals in a residential, community or private home setting. Direct Support Professionals may work in shifts or work block schedules in residential sites or private homes to meet the needs of the Individual they serve. They may need to work overnights also. Direct Support Professionals are the primary, day-to-day support and care for all agency Individuals and their job duties touch every aspect of an Individual’s life. Work is performed in accordance with the Individual Support Plan developed by the Interdisciplinary Team under the direction of the Program Specialist.

Laurel House, Inc. has homes located throughout the entire Fayette County area, including Uniontown, Brownsville, Masontown, Connellsville, and more.

Compliance

• Attends a minimum of 24 hours of in-service training per year. Completes the Office of Developmental Programs core curriculum of mandated courses prior to working alone and annually thereafter. Takes training related to the needs of the Individuals served.
• Obtains CPR/First Aid certification bi-annually.
• Participates in trainings, educational seminars, and workshops addressing community integration, volunteering, Everyday Lives, and the delivery of human services.
• Financial Stewardship
• Responsible for each residential home’s food budgets.
• Spends agency and/or individual funds prudently and always in the best interests of the Individual and the Agency. Documents spending with receipts and must be turned into the Laurel House Office within 24 hours.
• Monitors Laurel House, Inc. vehicles, ensuring they receive proper maintenance and fuel and notifying administration of any vehicular issues that compromise safety.
• Ensure that Individual’s spending money is secure and used only for purposes specified by the Individual. Completes documentation on the Income/Expense Sheets, attaching receipts and turning into the Laurel House Office on a monthly basis.

Programming

• Provides the level of care that is appropriate to the Individual’s skills and abilities.
• Supervises the Individual(s) as he/she participates in Agency programming, supports, and provides care throughout the entirety of an assigned shift.
• Assists Program Supervisor/Specialist in the Individual’s assessment and home assessment of skills and needs.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the Individual Support Plan and other interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Serves as an Advocate for Individuals to ensure rights and choices are implemented and safeguarded.
• Assists Individuals in developing personal money management, shopping skills, and budgeting skills necessary to gain independence.
• Encourages and supports Individual participation in socially integrative community leisure activities. Transports and accompanies Individuals to use community resources, community events and inclusive community participation opportunities.
• Strives to enhance and maintain Individual privacy in the home.
• Encourages and supports the Individual’s participation in social, leisure, and recreational activities.
• Counsels Individuals on personal problems and values.
• Assists Individuals in the practice of self-care, including grooming and overall maintenance of hygiene. May need to provide total care.
• Assists Individuals with toilet use and showering or bathing.
• Provides transportation to all Individuals to Day Programs and other destinations, as requested by the Individual and the Agency.
• Supports the Individual in receiving medical care by transporting to the medical appointments and encourages follow through with doctor’s recommendations. Completes the necessary medical paperwork.
• Maintains a clean and hygienic home.
• Attends the Individual’s Individual Support Plan meetings. Reviews the content of the Individual Support Plans and all revisions and updates.
• Responsible for notifying Supervisory staff about any needed repairs or maintenance of all Agency properties and vehicles.
• Responsible for the cleanliness of the Individual and their clothing.
• Maintains all non-food item inventory by regularly submitting non-food item purchase requests.
• Responsible for all grocery shopping and food stocking, as prescribed by Agency guidelines.
• Responsible for the creation of balanced, nutritious meals that reflect Individuals tastes and preferences as well as the creation of meals suited to specific Individual health needs and requirements.
• Completes all required documentation including but not limited to service documents, incident reports and body charts, personnel papers such as mileage, and receipts for meals and admission fees.
• Follows the Incident Management/Risk Management protocols in recognizing and reporting incidents, cooperating, and participating in incident investigations
• Other related duties.

Laurel House, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Keywords: (Caregiver, Residential Worker, Residential Services, Program, Fayette Highlands, Fayette, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Uniontown, Connellsville, Masontown, Brownsville)