Direct Support Professional

A Direct Support Professional works with clients in a residential treatment setting and is responsible for ensuring that those portions of the treatment plan, which deal with day-to-day and independent living skills, are implemented. Acting as a positive role model and providing therapeutic services, the Direct Support Professional is charged with the fundamental responsibility of the client's health and safety. 

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for day-by-day care of the clients in the program including supervision of personal hygiene, social guidance, use of leisure time, and food planning and preparation.
• Develop, supervise and run activity sessions
• Accompany clients on trips and outings and supervise activities
• May be called upon to work one on one with a client who is displaying significant stress or assist with management issues as they relate to clients.
• Accompany the client to medical, social or other necessary appointments
• Shares their experience and observation of the client under care with the treatment team and immediately brings to the attention of the supervisor any unusual issues
• May be required to cook/prepare meals for residents within their division
• Other assigned duties assigned

Team Process:

• Participates in weekly team meetings 

• Participate in regular staff meetings and training.  May be asked to travel to offsite meetings and trainings

Documentation:

• Completes regular and timely documentation of all resident interactions, including progress and informational notes in the respective electronic records
• Coordinate and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team
• Complete incident reports as appropriate following an incident

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Willingness to work with residents living with the impact of trauma and experience mental health challenges
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals
• Patience and understanding for the sometimes-slow process of stabilization and recovery

• Excellent youth engagement skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or Equivalency is required.
• Driver’s License preferred but not required in all programs.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Word
• Aptitude for learning new systems and application software

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Travel in the community with residents utilizing agency vehicles if they are clear to do so.
• Engage in physical activities with the residents

VISUAL AND MANUAL DEXTERITY:

The candidate should be able to read paper and electronic documents and perform significant data entry into various computer programs.  Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to travel independently using public transportation.