Direct Support Professional (W/Th/F e/o Sat 8a to 8p)

Description

Job Title: Direct Support Professional

Location: Clarksville, TN

Job Type: Full-time

Shift:  8am to 8pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and every other Saturday

About Us:

Progressive Directions, Inc. (PDI) is a nonprofit charitable organization with over forty years of experience supporting persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities. We are dedicated to helping individuals live independently and ensuring they are healthy, safe, valued, and active members of their communities.

Job Summary:

We seek caring, compassionate, dependable, and understanding individuals to join our team as Support Specialists. In this rewarding role, you will assist and support our persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, helping them achieve greater independence and quality of life.

Why Join Us?

- Make a meaningful impact on individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

- Enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment.

- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

If you are looking for a fulfilling career where you can make a difference, we encourage you to apply and join our team at Progressive Directions, Inc. Together, we can help bring independence closer to home for those we serve.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include but are not limited to the following):

1. Provide necessary assistance in bathing, dressing, toileting, and hygiene.
2. Assist in meal preparation and grocery shopping. Providing ample opportunity for choice. (According to the needs of the persons supported)
3. Assist in household chores. (I.e., vacuuming, dishes, sweep/mop floors, laundry, general housekeeping, etc.)
4. Assist persons supported in taking medications prescribed by a doctor, in accordance with the agency's medication administration policy.
5. Assist persons supported in all personal and self-care skills areas, as indicated by the person's supported Individual Support Plan (ISP).
6. Review the person's supported Individual Support Plan (ISP) for outcomes and implementation plans.
7. Assist the persons supported with obtaining money to shop and shopping for needed items (personal and otherwise).
8. I will report all medical, behavioral, or other concerns to the residential manager (RM) and house staff.
9. Other duties may be assigned based on the needs of the persons supported.

Community Involvement:

1. Review and follow the person supported Individual Support Plan (ISP) outcomes and implementation plans.
2. Ensure each person's supported daily needs are met while away from home by preparing the needed items to take with the person supported as measured by availability.
3. Assist the persons supported in meaningfully choosing how to spend their day.
4. Present choices of places the persons supported would like to visit.
5. Be prepared in advance for any outings by requesting the necessary funds or items (as much as possible).
6. Be aware of upcoming events in the community.
7. Ensure the persons supported(s) served have ample opportunity to attend community events.
8. Coordinate trips/visits with relatives or other important people in the person's supported life.
9. Assist in coordinating activities based on the person's supported interests.

Documentation Requirements:

1. Communication between staff in the communication log.
2. Daily notes in the person's supported file.
3. Behavior Date sheets (as needed as behaviors occur).
4. Medication Administration Record (MAR).
5. All activities and outings (in daily notes unless otherwise specified).
6. Will attend doctor appointments as necessary and document results.
7. Will communicate all medical, behavioral, or other concerns to the Residential Manager (RM) and other home staff.

Professional Responsibilities:

1. Assumes responsibility for the person's supported safety while in the community.
2. Deals effectively with stress and stressful situations.
3. Deals effectively and cooperatively with parents, co-workers, persons supported, and the general public.
4. Maintains familiarity with agency policies and procedures.
5. Attending all staff meetings as required by the RM.
6. Maintains a clear line of communication between residential and management staff.
7. Attends and participates in all Circle of Support meetings for the persons supported served.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma or GED preferred.

Valid Tennessee, Kentucky, or Alabama driver’s license (military exceptions available).

Ability to read and follow directions and ISPs.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Satisfactory criminal background check and clear Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

Ability to attend and pass all required training courses.

TB test within the last 12 months (if you do not have one, we will send you to get one upon hire).

Negative Drug test is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, and talk or hear. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.