Direct Support Professional (CLS)

Overview

Practice and promote the agency’s mission statement and guiding principles in every interaction. Provide ongoing support to the people that live in the Community Living Services program to ensure that a high quality of life is maintained. Provide support in the areas of, for example, self-care routines, health, safety, household chores, socialization, and overall wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provides ongoing guidance and support to individuals with intellectual and other disabilities to ensure active participation in every aspect of their lives (i.e., self-care routines, health, safety, household chores, socialization and overall wellbeing). Provide only the level of support necessary for each individual to ensure independence and engagement in their daily routine.
• Provide support to become active members of the community, as well as maintain and build upon natural supports and relationships
• Ensures a safe and clean home by providing support to individuals to assist them with the completion of household chores and by participating in said household chores as needed.
• Follows all treatment plans and utilizes all corresponding adaptive and safety equipment needed for each individual to promote independence and ensure their health, safety and well-being.
• Supports individuals in preparing meals by teaching concepts such as diet adherence, portion control and cooking skills.
• Assists individuals with medication administration according to the AMAP policy and procedures.
• Implements and documents all treatment plans and other agency related materials (i.e., residential habilitation goals, medical case notes, communication logs, etc.) to assist individuals in achieving independence in their selected valued outcomes and to ensure their health, safety and well-being.
• Adheres to overtime, scheduling, and minimum staffing policy and procedures to ensure that quality support is provided to individuals each day.
• Serves as member of the inter-disciplinary team by attending and participating in all meetings to discuss individuals’ progress and goal achievements and to offer and gather information and ideas.
• Provides transportation to individuals for medical appointments, shopping, recreational outings and any other transportation needs.
• Mentors new Direct Support Staff by demonstrating supportive routines and by reviewing training manuals to ensure new employees are sufficiently groomed to complete responsibilities.
• Participates in House Meetings and maintains all certification and training expectations.
• Performs all other duties as requested by supervisor.

This position requires regular and substantial unsupervised or unrestricted physical contact with people receiving services and, therefore, is subject to successful completion of fingerprint/criminal background check.

Training on Personal Outcome Measures (POM) is required prior to completion of evaluations and assessments.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must submit a valid NYS drivers' license, and maintain a qualified driver status throughout employment.
• Must have the ability to communicate and understand written and oral directives/information

Physical Aspects may include but are not limited to lifting and transferring of individuals (children and/or adults).  Inability to meet the physical demands of the position may impact employment.