SUMMARY

Under general supervision, is responsible for devoting his/her attention to the care and development of the residents in one of the Agency’s residential facilities. Interacts in a manner which fosters dignity and learning in a way that helps lead to greater independence. Helps create a homelike atmosphere for residents in an agency facility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Direct Support Professional will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides care and assists with personal development and independence of residents.
• Ensures that all measures for safety and well-being are maintained at highest level.
• Trains residents in activities of daily living and in development of self-help and social skills.
• Maintains a personalized, homelike atmosphere in residence facility.
• Attends weekly staff meetings as well as any other assigned meetings and in-service training.
• Prepares concise written reports including Inciden;t Reports, Residents’ Progress Notes and other reports as assigned.
• Responds to crisis situations and medical emergencies, including accidents by taking quick and decisive action.
• Ensures actions are conducted in a manner that prevents abuse and reports observations of co-workers who may be abusive in accordance with established procedures.
• Administers appropriate first aid based on visible symptoms and resident history in accordance with established guidelines and accepted first aid practices.
• Summons police, fire, ambulance or other emergency personnel if situation warrants it.
• If emergency has caused resident to exhibit behavior that is threatening or dangerous, in accordance with OPWDD approved Behavior Management guidelines, may have to restrain that resident.
• Transports residents in agency vehicles to and from work, shopping, programs, restaurants, movies, doctor’s appointments, etc.
• Assists with meal planning and preparation as well as with purchasing of food and supplies.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and implements behavioral programs.
• Participates fully as a member of interdisciplinary plan.
• Maintains an ongoing informal exchange of information. Maintains written logs for recording daily activities.
• Performs housekeeping, cooking, laundry, light maintenance and light preventative maintenance duties as needed in order to maintain a safe and homelike environment.
• Supervises any other activities as may be necessary in order to maintain quality of program.
• Dispenses prescribed medications to residents after successful completion of medication administration course and in line with Agency protocol. AMAP’s are supervised by residence nurse in all areas related to medication administration.
• Completes all activities related to skill buildings as outlined in individual program plans.
• Attends to personal hygiene needs of residents i.e. toileting, bathing and changing as situation warrants.
• Handles all resident specific documents in a secure and confidential manner.
• Regularly checks business email for agency notifications and announcements
• Performs related duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Valid New York State Driver’s License and must maintain it in good standing
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with coworkers, employees, residents and their families
• Ability to analyze problems and determine corrective measures

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Six months of related experience is preferred but not required
• Salaried employees must be approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP) at time of hire or within six months of date of hire in salaried status

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, write, speak and understand English. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret reports and documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries, concerns or complaints from employees and customers. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Basic understanding of statistics.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to resolve conflicts and mediate stressful situations.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to lift, move and position adults or children in beds, wheelchairs, toilets, showers, vans, etc. Frequent stooping, bending, kneeling and pushing and pulling of heavy objects such as furniture and/or wheelchairs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a normal office setting with little or no discomfort due to noise or temperature. Some walking, bending and standing required in order to photocopy, access files and so forth; work may be performed under pressure and may be, at times, mentally fatiguing; ability to sit for long periods of time necessary.

Hourly Rate: $18.50 per hour

SIGN ON BONUS* - *must meet eligibility requirements**