Internal Only: Lead DSP

Job Summary

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) Team Lead is a hands-on position responsible for the direct support of developmentally/intellectually disabled individuals with varied needs, including intensive behaviors, in a group home setting. The Team Lead mentors other DSPs and provides direction, training, and positive support in their roles. This includes, but is not limited to, performing and coaching/modeling household and community skills, personal care, and the administration of medication. Additional responsibilities include fiscal management of grocery/petty cash, personal funds of individuals, coordination of community activities, medication management, and record keeping. The Team Lead is responsible for ensuring the individual’s safety inside the group home and out in the community and shares on-call duties with Group Home Manager.

The Lead position ensures all services are provided in line with current rules, regulations, laws, and Cornerstone policies and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, the employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are representative of the job but are not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned as needed.

Leadership

• Be a steward of Cornerstone Valley’s culture


• Behaves in alignment with our values of Compassion, Integrity, and Responsibility


• Treats others with respect and dignity


• Proactive, self-starting, self-managing


• Takes ownership for the work


• Behaves in a manner that sets a positive example for others to follow


• Upholds and communicates our safety standards


• Responsible for mitigating and reporting risk


• Follows all policies and procedures and assures others do as well


• Participates in meetings and committees as needed

Team Lead Duties

• Initiate and train new DSPs to the home environment including, but not limited to individual plans, needs, behaviors, routines, house rules, cleaning tasks, etc.  


• Ensure DSPs are performing tasks as expected by CVI.


• Monitor and ensure the quality of services provided meets the expected standards of both the company and the state.


• Effectively communicate with all team members


• Resolve conflicts and concerns so the team functions effectively


• Provide coaching and counseling proactively to team members to improve performance, being mindful of the best setting for these conversations to take place


• Team Lead must be available to work OT and available to fill-in on all shifts when needed


• Provide DSPs with recognition and share successes with team and the House Manager


• Maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times


• Maintain nutritional guidelines by developing weekly menus and grocery shopping


• Attend and actively participate in ISP meetings


• Build positive rapport with the individuals served.


• Furnishing new homes within CVI approved furniture and other items


• Participate in licensing preparation


• Create staff documents for tracking


• Organize office space and other areas of the home


• Managing staff schedules and monthly scheduling


• Conduct fire drills and maintain fire extinguishers


• Conduct quarterly safety inspections


• Knowledgeable about, and enforces, CVI policies and practices as well as ODDS Rules and Regulations


• Report any instances of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the appropriate authorities so protective services can investigate.


• Participate in the admission of new clients


• Provides individuals with physical, emotional, and social support in the home and community.


• Responsible for medication administration, hygiene assistance, household cleaning and chores, food preparation, financial assistance, etc.


• Respond to challenging behaviors, possibly including verbal and physical aggression.


• Transport individuals throughout the community for outings and activities


• Encourage, provide guidance, and support all DSPs


• Mentor new DSPs to grow in their position by providing technical support regarding the tasks and responsibilities, as well as principles of positive behavior support in line with individual plans

• Delegate and assign tasks


• Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with the individual’s parent, family, guardian, case manager, etc.


• Attend scheduled staff meetings.


• May serve in an on-call status in lieu of the House Manager

DSP Duties

• Provides individuals with physical, emotional, and social support in the home and community.


• Reads each individual service plan (ISP) and ensures the individual’s care needs are understood.


• Follows individual support plans.


• Consult the House Manager or Behavior Support Specialist (BSS) if further clarity is needed at any time.


• Learn the individual’s routines, likes and dislikes, and behavior triggers.


• Build positive rapport with the individuals served.


• Promote independence in daily activities by teaching self-care skills


• Facilitate the individual’s inclusion in community experiences and activities.


• Understands the group home’s rules, what is allowed and not, and the processes used to care for the individuals. 


• Responsible for understanding the prescribed medications, administering them in the correct dose at the right time, and appropriately documenting this information.


• Provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as hygiene assistance, i.e. toileting, brushing teeth, and bathing/showering and other daily living tasks


• Encourage independence with general life skills.


• Complete household cleaning and chores and ensure the home is always in good order and safe.


• Prepare menus, grocery shop and prepare balanced meals.


• Assist the individual with making small purchases and documenting the same. 


• Respond to challenging behaviors, including verbal and physical aggression.


• Transport individuals for outings and activities, following all rules of the road.


• Complete timely and thorough documentation including daily notes on the individual’s day and challenges, general event reports (GER), and any other required documentation.


• Assists with home safety checks and fire drills.


• Completes annual trainings.


• Follows all guidelines and direction regarding appropriate use of phones, computers, and other devices and technology.


• Acts as an advocate.


• Properly completes shift change routine when arriving and leaving shift.

• Ensures all services are provided in line with current rules, regulations, laws, and Cornerstone policies and procedures.

• Is a strong team member who tries to resolve conflicts or concerns with co-workers directly before bringing them to the House Manager.


• Maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times.


• Responsible for keeping the individuals in the house safe from any health hazards.


• Report any instances of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the appropriate authorities so protective services can investigate.


• Attend scheduled staff meetings.

Any and all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the job but are not all inclusive.

• Must be 18 years or older


• High School Diploma or GED required


• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) from four-year College or University preferred.


• Passion for serving others required


• 2+ years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities required.


• 2+ years of experience working in a group home setting required.


• Ability to pass a criminal background check upon hire and biennially


• Possess a valid driver’s license, good driving record and has auto insurance


• Dependable, reliable, and punctual.


• Ability to obtain/maintain First Aid and CPR certification


• Ability to obtain/maintain OIS certification


• iLearn Core Competencies or OR Workday (Preferred)

• High level of professionalism and integrity

• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information


• Adaptability and the ability to work in a crisis calmly and in a positive manner


• Ability to lead and train others in a professional and caring fashion


• Compassionate, supportive, easy going, good-humored personality


• Self-starter, self-manager, and the ability to work with limited supervisory oversight


• Patient, organized, and an effective problem solver with excellent follow through


• Great common sense and able to consistently, and confidently, make good decisions


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to work effectively with staff and individuals


• Must be able to read and write routine reports 


• Frequent and professional email communication required.


• Ability to relate effectively with individuals and their families.


• Able to prevent and resolve conflicts


• Lead and manage change


• Strong team player


• Ability to work a variety of scheduled shifts 


• Detail-oriented and able to work with and abide by state and organizational rules and policies.


• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, and Outlook.


• Flexible and adaptable to change.


• Excellent multi-tasker who can function well in a fast-paced environment.


• Exceptional organizational and time management skills


• Ability to establish clear boundaries and set limits


• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and willingness to assist others


• Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing publications, etc.


• Desire to learn and grow in the role

Working Conditions: 

• Works primarily in a group home and occasionally in an office environment. Transports individuals to events, activities in the community.


• Must be aware of and demonstrate good driving habits at all times.


• The physical demands of this job vary depending on the client and the needs of the client.


• Quickly applying skill in non-aversive crisis intervention, listening, observing, monitoring own actions to ensure they are not disturbing to the clients’ environment.


• May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset individuals throughout the day,


• Must have good manual dexterity, can sit, stand, kneel, climb stairs, squat, get in and out of a vehicle, and be able to frequently lift and carry up to 30 lbs and maneuver 75 lbs when dealing with individuals.


• Will stand, walk, or sit for significant periods of time.


• Position requires phone, computer use, occasional bending and stooping.


• May be required to wear personal protective equipment.


• Regular attendance is required to perform the job satisfactorily.