Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are responsible for supporting activities of people enrolled in programs and living in homes operated by Volunteers of America Chesapeake (VOAC).  DSPs will teach independent living skills to the people and provide support with all activities of daily living. Additionally, the DSP will facilitate community integration, maintain the person’s safety and well-being in accordance with the Scope of Work and VOAC policies and procedures while contributing to the upkeep of the program environments. 

PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES:

• Provides support for people as necessary to ensure needs as identified by the Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT) are met.


• Communicates with families, members of the IDT, the person’s day program and other providers of services and supports as necessary and appropriate.


• Instructs, supports and participates in performing household tasks with people such as cleaning, preparing meals, food shopping, etc. as identified in the ISP.


• Assists people in developing daily living skills by identifying and meeting social, environmental and health care needs.


• Assists people in their daily grooming and personal care routines.


• Implements Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention responses as trained and specified in the person’s Behavior Support Plan and ISP. 


• Responds, as trained and instructed in emergency medical situations.


• Performs crisis intervention as trained and provides assistance as needed.


• Actively plans, coordinates and participates with people in social activities including frequent community outings.


• Transports people and/or provides mobility training to assist people to go on appointments, community rehabilitation programs, grocery shopping, etc.


• Documents activities and behaviors of people in files as designated, on data sheets, in log books, and various other forms as required.  (This may also include the use of electronic records.)


• Prepares food according to developed menus, menu protocols, peoples’ likes and dislikes and prescribed diet.


• Attends staff meetings, training in-services, house and program meetings as directed.


• Ensures compliance with VOAC program requirements, environment-specific rules as well as those regulations from all monitoring entities.


• Inspects the home/program environments and reports repairs and maintenance as needed.


• Ensures fire and other safety procedures are carried out as directed -- including participation in routine fire drills and emergency drills.


• Checks for proper sanitation and security conditions within the home/program environment.


• Notifies supervisor and monitors activities of visitors to the home/program environment.


• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of VOAC policies and procedures.


• Understands role as a mandated reporter of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation

• Min of a high school diploma, GED, and/or IEP.




• (1) yr. of exp. working in the field of intellectual/developmental. Exceptions may be made for less than 1-year experience to include enhanced supervision of the DSP by the Qualified Professional until the year is obtained.




• Medication Administration Certification is preferred, but may be required by the end of the introductory period.




• Must pass all state required trainings and new hire orientation classes. Must maintain current certifications and trainings required by CMS or relevant governmental entities.




• Computer Skill required for documentation.




• Written and verbal communication skills must be clear and professional.




• Problem Solving




• Pass relevant local and state background checks and drug testing requirements




• Bilingual in any language a plus

EFFECT ON END RESULT

• To ensure needs of the person are met and client satisfaction is achieved through implementation of the PCP.




• To ensure that the program is operated in compliance with the Scope of Work, Volunteers of America Chesapeake's policies and procedures, licensing, government regulations, and Medicaid waiver regulations.




• People are living their best lives in their chosen community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary.




• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities, and operate office equipment.




• Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.




• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time




• A bona-fide occupational exception may be established for this job based upon sex/gender when it is necessary to ensure that at least one female and one male are on duty during each shift, or to honor choice and best practices.