Direct Support Professional - West Metro

Description

Position Title: Direct Support Professional

Department: Program

Job Status: Non-Exempt-Hourly

Reporting Relationship: Program Manager

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Typical Schedule: Will vary, including evenings, weekends and holidays. DSPs will be cross trained at multiple locations. They may be assigned to work a shift in a different Hammer & NER Program due to an absence or urgent need.    

Position Summary: The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides daily support to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) DSPs develop meaningful relationships and connections with individuals, provide them with a safe living environment, teach tasks individuals may learn to do for themselves, and assist with any tasks individuals cannot do for themselves such as cooking, housekeeping, bathing, and toileting, taking medications, going to work, shopping, driving and managing money. DSPs need to exhibit patience, compassion, integrity, composure under pressure, dependability, and a strong sense of teamwork. All employees are expected to center, model and champion Hammer & NER’s core values: Person-Centered, Relational, Opportunistic and Stewardship in order to provide people with intellectual and other disabilities the opportunity to live life to its fullest.   

Primary Duties and Responsibilities Assist with Daily Living Skills

• Supervise the medical, financial, social, and emotional needs of individuals served as well as the daily operations of the program.
• Assist with all areas of the individuals’ programs including, but not limited to personal hygiene cares (including, but not limited to bathing, toileting, tooth brushing, etc.), medication administration, daily household chores, use of personal finances and support in the community.
• Safely drive the company car, lift van or personal auto to activities and appointments around the Twin Cities and provide support for individuals’ participation in the community.
• Manage difficult situations effectively. Resolve minor issues when possible and escalate to appropriate leader when necessary.
• Report all accidents, injuries and illnesses or complaints about care and follow procedures for any behavioral or medical emergencies.
• Follow the laws as a mandated reporter to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

Behavior Management

• Provide services and activities that comply with licensing regulations and with Hammer & NER’s policies and person-centered philosophy, exercising good judgement to adapt and apply the guidelines to specific situations.
• Provide advocacy to protect people’s civil and legal rights.
• Encourage choice and independence whenever possible, fostering a positive, encouraging environment.
• Demonstrate teamwork, cooperation and effective working relationships with individuals served families, coworkers, supervisors, and others to facilitate quality services. 

Training

• Successfully complete orientation including medication administration certification.
• Complete annual training and attend all required meetings as assigned, including monthly house meetings.
• Complete documentation promptly and with attention to detail.
• Use computers to maintain timely and accurate documentation for medications, activities, and outcomes.
• Read and respond to any emails/communication from your program or the organization.
• Support new team members by providing on-the-job training. 

Benefits:

• 401 (k)
• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance (30 hours and above)
• Dental Insurance (30 hours and above)
• Vision Insurance (20 hours and above)
• Life Insurance
• Paid Training
• Disability Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental Leave
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Savings Account
• Access to Employee Success Coach who assists employees within their first year of employment

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Requirements

Essential Knowledge and Qualifications: 

• Employees must be at least 18 years old. 
• Ability to work with people of different abilities, genders, ages, cultures, and ethnicities. 
• Ability and willingness to assist individuals with activities of daily living including bathing and toileting. 
• Ability and willingness to support individuals with challenging behavior. 
• Requires a valid driver’s license, access to a personal auto and driving record that meets Hammer’s insurance requirements. 
• Must receive a MN DHS Background study clearance and show freedom from Tuberculosis. Must be able to successfully complete all required training. 
• Must be prepared to respond to hazardous situations including illness or aggression. 
• Excellent communication skills including fluency in English and competence with typing, emailing, and mastering the organization’s documentation standards. 
• Frequently organizes multiple projects at once, requiring excellent time management and close attention to detail. 
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to confidentiality and customer service. Experience and ability performing physical work including: lifting up to 40 pounds (such as lifting a wheelchair into a van), pushing or pulling an individual in a wheelchair or while assisting with cares. 
• Household chores and physical cares may include twisting/turning, kneeling/squatting, reaching, and assisting with pivot transfers. 
• Program may require operating specialized medical or adaptive equipment, including use of lifting equipment and driving a lift nonexperience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status. 

This job description assigns essential functions. It does not restrict tasks an individual in this position might be asked to perform or all qualifications that may be required currently or in the future.