Job Description

REPORTS TO: Home Manager

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Direct Care Staff are responsible for maintaining a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation and facilitates the development of mutual aid/self-help skills among individuals. Staff’s primary role is to provide the appropriate supports tailored to the needs and desires of each individual to enable each to live as independently as possible. Direct Support Professionals are expected to recognize when an individual is in a crisis and be able to utilize the appropriate psychiatric and medical back up services.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Assist /monitor/teach individuals(s) with preparation of daytime activities; encourage good hygiene, and behavior appropriate in their home or apartment.
  2. Assist Program Coordinator in the assessment of each individual’s abilities, interests and need areas toward independent living. Assist Program Coordinator in the development of each ISP. Staff behavior and interaction with individuals shall be directed towards the attainment of goals set forth within each ISP.
  3. Assist/monitor/teach individuals in budgeting skills.
  4. Assist/monitor/teach individuals engaging in daily chores.
  5. Assist/monitor/teach individuals as needed in grocery shopping, menu planning, meal preparation and clean up.
  6. Meet with individuals (as needed) on an individual basis to discuss concerns or problems.
  7. Assist/monitor/teach individuals in holding house meetings and informal discussion groups with peers.
  8. Handle emergency situations appropriately, utilize crisis interventions when necessary.
  9. Teach and/or support individuals in utilizing public transportation. Transport individuals to appropriate appointments only when necessary.
  10. Perform daily record keeping (i.e. data collection, daily logs). Exchange information with next shift and/or with support staff.
  11. Teach and be supportive of basic nutrition. Assist individuals to utilize community resources from nutritional counseling.
  12. Teach relationship building skills.
  13. Teach community integration; assist individuals in joining community organization of their choice.
  14. Teach problem solving skills.
  15. Provide leisure/recreational activities of individual(s) choice, increase individual’s self- initiative in leisure activities.
  16. Teach/monitor individuals self-management skills.
  17. Teach individuals basic first aid, fire safety, emergency skills, and sex education.
  18. Provide opportunities for individuals to have choices, make decisions in daily living and their future goals (i.e. assist individual in day to day decisions).
  19. Assist in creating natural supports for individuals.
  20. Assist individuals in building their self-esteem.
  21. Must report any suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation immediately to supervisor.
  22. Attend training.
  23. Lifting, snow shoveling and climbing stairs.
  24. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Valid driver’s license
  2. Experience working with people with developmental disabilities preferred
  3. High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
  4. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
  5. Must pass background check(s) required by law
  6. Delegated nursing certificate
  7. CPR/First aid certification
  8. Clear driving record (drivers abstract)
  9. Eight (8) hours DD orientation