CRISIS Direct Support Professional I

Description

This role operates in a Crisis Stabilization Program, also known as a crisis stabilization unit (CSU) which is a short-term intervention that helps people in crisis with mental health or substance use issues. Rather than institutionalizing individuals who have mental health or substance use issues, the CRISIS settings provides these individuals with the opportunity to live and receive services in a way honoring to them and their abilities.

Direct Support Professionals are the heartbeat of what we do at Imagine the Possibilities – empowering people to reach individual achievement across the spectrum of life. If you’re passionate about empowering people to reach their goals and help them strive for more, we want you to join our team. As an integral part of the overall care team, you will collaborate with other Direct Support Professionals, Coordinator, individuals-served, and their families to ensure the best possible care for those you serve. You will fulfill an individual’s behavioral care plan by creatively strategizing the best way for each individual to reach and exceed their goals. Your innovative and impactful solutions and strategies will make the difference for those you serve. 

What Winning Looks Like:

While it’s not a competition, we do recognize that each person wants to ‘win’ at life; and you’re a central part of someone else’s wins as well as your own! In this role, you’ll be responsible to: 

• Collaborate with the Coordinator to develop goals for the individual served.
• Provide services to individuals based on their unique goals and behavioral care plan. This includes:

o Teaching individuals how to accomplish their routine activities of daily living (rather than completing a task for them).

o Using behavioral strategies that support individuals and address any behaviors that do not lead to their success.

o Motivate and encourage individuals to participate in their behavioral care plans and reach their goals.

o Participate in recreational, community, and social activities with those you serve, honoring the choices of the individual. 

o Display and understanding of when it is appropriate to apply rights-restrictions, only as determined by the interdisciplinary team and when indicated in the individual’s behavioral care plan. 

• Provide complete, consistent, and accurate documentation of the individual’s progress.
• Provide safe environments and instruction to individuals served regarding the practices that will help them reach their goals.
• Provide care to individuals that help them present their best selves to the community. This may include helping with hygienic needs, choosing appropriate clothing, administering medication, and ensuring they have food options suitable for their dietary needs. 
• Be an advocate for individuals receiving services to have as much control over their own lives as possible. All individuals should be treated with respect and should feel empowered to live their life as independently as physically possible. 

Know We’re For You:

We know finding the right opportunity can be tricky – that’s why Imagine is focused on making sure your time is well spent. We take pride in the benefits we offer our employees. As an employee, you’ll have access to a variety of benefits that are sure to sweeten the deal. Depending on your full-time or part-time status, you’ll have access to: 

• Competitive Wages: The base pay is $17/hour. With education and experience, you could start out making more than that.
• Flexible Scheduling: We’re a 24/7 service provider, so we have all sorts of opportunities that will fit your schedule. 
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): We all deserve a break now and then – don’t feel bad about taking time for you. 
• 401k Retirement Plan: Secure your future with a cushioned fund that will allow you to live your best life. 
• Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Whether its medical, dental, vision, or life insurance – we’ve got you covered. 
• Pre-Paid Legal Services: Be prepared for the things you just can’t be prepared for on your own.
• Discounted Costco or Sam’s Club Memberships: What can we say? We know a great deal when we see one. 
• Advancement Opportunities: We believe in your future, which is why we have a specifically designed leadership development opportunity purposed to launch your career. 
• Employee Assistance Program: We’re there for you through all life’s ups and downs. 

Requirements

Functional Experiences, Skills, & Requirements:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and professional experiences:

• Mission-oriented: We’re on a mission to empower people to reach individual achievement across the spectrum of life. We know you are, too.
• An Attitude of Leaning: The truth is, the field of caregiving is always changing and requires adaptability. We need people on our team who are always ready to learn new ways of doing things, helping people, and changing lives. 
• Ability to Communicate Well: We’re looking for people with strong communication abilities so we can rely on you to communicate effectively to the rest of the team and the people we serve. 
• Confidence: We’re looking for people who know how to balance being bold and being humble. We’re looking for team members who are self-aware enough to know when to stand up as an advocate for others and when it’s time to follow the leader.
• Age Requirement: The minimum age requirement for this position is 18 years of age. 
• Driver’s License: You’ll be responsible for transportation at times, so we need to trust your ability to be safe behind the wheel.
• Educational Requirement: Staff must meet one or more of the following:

o Bachelor’s degree with 30 semester hours or equivalent in human services field (including, but not limited to, psychology, social work, nursing, education) and a minimum of one year of experience in behavioral or mental health services

o Bachelor’s degree in a non-human service-related field, associate degree, or high school diploma (or equivalency) with a minimum of two years of experience in behavioral or mental health services and 30 hours of crisis and mental health in-service training (in addition to the required 30 hours of Department-approved training).

o Mental health professional as defined in Iowa Code section 228.1

o Law enforcement officer with a minimum of two years of experience in the law enforcement officer’s field.

o Emergency medical technician (EMT) with a minimum of two years of experience in the EMT’s field.

o Peer support specialist with a minimum of one year of experience in behavioral or mental health services.

o Family support peer specialist with a minimum of one year of experience in behavioral or mental health services.

o Registered nurse with a minimum of one year of experience in behavioral or mental health services. 

o All employees must complete 30 hours of training in mental health issues or crisis intervention (including those with a bachelor’s degree in human services) 

o Employees who do NOT have a bachelor’s degree in human services must complete an additional 30 hours of training in mental health or crisis intervention.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• May require lifting at times, up to 35 pounds. Lifting more than 35 pounds requires the use of a two-person lift, mechanical lift, or assistive equipment.
• May require prolonged sitting and working at a computer for up to eight hours.
• May require frequent bending, stooping, and stretching.
• May require prolonged standing for up to eight hours.
• Must wear hearing and eye protection in required areas.
• Must have ability to see objects/persons at a distance.
• Must have ability to see close work such as typed or handwritten material.
• Must have ability to hear conversations in a quiet and a noisy environment.
• Must have ability to determine where a sound is coming from.
• Must have ability to hear differences among bells, buzzers, beeps, horns, etc.
• Must have ability to communicate through speech.
• Must have ability to drive and transport for service provision as needed.
• Must remain awake during working hours, where applicable.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain an all-inclusive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Further, this job description does not imply a contract between employees and Imagine the Possibilities, Inc.

Imagine the Possibilities is an equal opportunity employer. All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, or any other protected status.