Direct Support Professional

Description

POSITION PROFILE

• Enthusiastically embraces and promotes the mission and values of the organization through all actions
• Actively engages in creating and maintaining a healthy and safe environment specific to each client
• Discovers and fosters activities that promote a meaningful day
• Initiates effective communication with all team members
• Completes all documentation in a professional, accurate and timely manner that meets all agency standards

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Consumer Service 

1. Responsible for understanding and implementing Individual Support Plans (ISP). ISPs may include, but are not limited to teaching, assisting, facilitating and building on the individual strengths in the areas of :
2. Meal planning and food preparation, 
3. Shopping for groceries, clothing, personal necessities,
4. budgeting and bill payment,
5. housing keeping and laundry,
6. personal hygiene,
7. recreation,
8. socialization,
9. health and safety, 
10. self-advocacy
11. employment.

1. Responsible for understanding and implementing Behavior Support Plans (BSP) if applicable.
2. Responsible for understanding and implementing all medical High Risk Plans (HRP) if applicable.
3. Responsible for providing consumers with opportunities to make informed and thoughtful choices throughout their day. 
4. Responsible for teaching consumers how to appropriately advocate for themselves.
5. Responsible for assisting consumers in being an active member of their community through participation in activities of their choice.
6. Assists consumers in the development of meaningful connections by acting as a “bridge builder” to establish greater ties to the community and to support the development of friendships.
7. Encourages and assists the consumers as needed in maintaining communication with parents, family and friends. 
8. Engages the consumer throughout the day, whether through participation in activities or in discussions regarding areas of interest, desires or goals.
9. Responsible for teaching consumers to utilize community transportation services or if needed, provide transportation using personal and agency vehicles. (Must maintain drivers insurability as outlined in Minimum Job Qualifications).
10. Responsible for lifting and transferring consumers as necessary. (Must maintain ability to perform job as outlined in Minimum Job Qualifications under working conditions).

Consumer Health and Safety

1. As indicated by the ISP, staff are responsible for:
2. Assisting consumers with their personal care needs,  
3. Insuring the consumer’s home meets general housekeeping standards – clean, sanitary living environment,
4. Monitoring medications and/or administering medications as prescribed by the consumer’s health care provider and in compliance with medication administration standards,
5. Assist consumers with scheduling and attending medical appointments, medical treatments, and therapies.

1. Work with other staff members to insure a safe and healthy environment for the consumers, including but not limited to:
2. Monitoring the home environment for safety hazards and insuring general safety precautions are in place (for example, batteries in smoke detectors checked), 
3. Providing training for emergencies, including how to respond to fire, gas, severe weather or other emergencies,
4. Insuring emergency phone numbers are posted and are current and accurate.

1. Responsible for monitoring consumers’ general health, noting any changes in health status, communicating critical health changes directly to the program manager,
2. Responsible for handling any emergencies or crisis according to protocol until emergency personnel arrive on the scene.
3. Responsible for alerting manager of any health/safety concerns or crisis.

Program Support and Development

1. Participate in the Person Centered Planning Process, consumer team meetings, staff meetings, training sessions and annual case conferences as requested or assigned.
2. Responsible for identifying potential barriers to community involvement, including but not limited to environmental, attitudinal and economic barriers.
3. Responsible for identifying community resources which could enhance the individuals’ quality of life and which could help meet the goals of the consumer.
4. Responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of adaptive equipment and/or assistive technology used by the consumer. 
5. Responsible for utilizing effective communication strategies and skills necessary to establish a collaborative relationship with the consumer. This would be demonstrated through the use of respectful and sensitive communication skills and adapting communication to the range of participant communication styles.
6. Responsible for maintaining professional, respectful and sensitive communication with co-workers, support staff, Program Managers, Directors, families, medical professionals, etc.
7. Must be current on all required trainings and maintain competency in any areas unique to a consumer.
8. Responsible for acting in accordance with all Tangram Policies and Procedures.

Reporting and Record Keeping

1. Responsible for assisting managers with the oversight of consumer expenses, ensuring receipts are obtained and appropriate records kept up to date.
2. Responsible for reviewing all daily documentations at the beginning of each shift (Tangram emails, MAR/TAR, CASPER event notes ), completing all required documentations by the end of each shift, and submitting reports to maintain consumer records per regulations and procedures.
3. Responsible for using CASPER to record time worked according to procedure.
4. Responsible for submitting requests for time off in a timely manner, according to policy.
5. Responsible for documenting any health and safety incidents including in the event narrative, precedent, actual event, and antecedent.

Requirements

Minimum Job Qualifications

1. Education: High school diploma or G.E.D.
2. Work Experience: Experience in a human service field and/or experience with individuals with developmental or other disabilities.
3. General Requirements: Must be 18 years of age or older, must have a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, meet agency’s driver insurability requirements, reliable vehicle, and up to date automobile insurance. If position involves driving agency vehicles, must be 21 years of age. Must have basic computer skills.
4. Working Conditions: This position requires significant bending, lifting and stooping. Must be able to lift/transfer individuals.
5. Training Requirements during Employment: Must maintain CPR and first aid certification, must pass Core A and B Medication Administration, must stay current on all other training as defined by state, accreditation body or agency guidelines. 

Characteristics, Skills and Abilities:

1. Customer Service: The degree to which the employee makes an effort to listen to and understand the customer (both internal and external) and anticipates customer needs, giving high priority to customer's satisfaction.
2. Judgment: The ability to make decisions which are based on logical assumptions and which reflect factual information.
3. Adaptability: The degree to which the employee is able to maintain effectiveness in varying environments and with varying tasks, responsibilities, or people.
4. Initiative: The degree to which the employee actively attempts to achieve goals, initiate activity directed towards the achievement.
5. Innovativeness: The degree to which the employee is able to generate and/or recognize imaginative or creative solutions and apply them to accomplishing goals.
6. Work Standards: The degree to which the employee sets goals or standards of performance for himself or herself.
7. Integrity: the degree to which the employee maintains and promotes social, ethical, and organizational norms in conducting internal and external business activities.
8. Tolerance for Stress: The degree to which the employee maintains acceptable performance under pressure and/or opposition (e.g. time pressure, job ambiguity) and relieves stress in a way that is acceptable to the organization.
9. Teamwork: The degree to which the employee works effectively with teams, work groups, or those outside formal lines of authority in order to accomplish assignments or goals; takes action that respects the needs and contributions of others.
10. Written Communication: The degree to which the employee is able to express ideas clearly in writing which demonstrates a sound knowledge of organization, grammar, language and terminology adjusted to the characteristics and needs of the intended audience. 
11. Oral Communication: The degree to which the employee is able to verbally express ideas and/or convey information respectfully, clearly and effectively in one on one or group situations.