Director Support Professional (DSP)
Summary: Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) work with individuals who have autism or other developmental disabilities. DSPs assist individuals to become more integrated in their communities by maximizing the person’s strengths, interests and abilities. The aim is for the person to direct their own activities that create a meaningful life including contributing to the community and developing relationships. Support may occur in a variety of settings and may include providing personal care, assistance with daily living activities, job coaching, teaching/developing skills, advocating with the individual, assisting in communication and self-expression, and ultimately supporting the individual in meeting his or her own goals.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support people to achieve personal outcomes that characterize a high quality of life.
- Listen carefully and communicate respectfully and clearly with the people you support.
- Support people to choose, understand and learn new skills.
- Understand, follow through, and document support plans, goals, activities, progress, etc.
- Support people with daily living skills and personal support needs.
- Facilitate activities that provide people with social capital and connections to the community.
- Demonstrate fairness.
- Assist people in planning and structuring activities.
- Bring your own skills, strengths and interests to supporting peoples’ activities.
- Support people to exercise their rights and responsibilities in all areas of their lives.
- Engage in respectful communication.
- Use person-first or preferred language when appropriate.
- Maintain confidentiality and support privacy at all times.
- Talk with people and include them in discussions about their lives.
- Support people to have optimal health and well being.
- Understand and follow supports for optimal health.
- Administer medications accurately and reliably.
DSP Job Description
- Meal Preparation (Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner)
- General Housekeeping/dusting/Sweeping/Mopping/Laundry/Ironing/Changing Bed Linens
- Assist with ADLs such as oral hygiene, personal hygiene, general grooming
- Medication Administration
- Monitor medical conditions thoroughly and consistently.
- Ensure that people are free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
- Maintaining current and consistent needed reporting and documentation.
- Provide safeguards and appropriately support challenging situations.
- Follow any outlined financial supports.
- Support individuals with positive behavioral techniques to avoid challenging situations and promote respect and dignity.
- Be a safe and conscientious driver.
- Know the proper techniques and be able to respond to emergencies such as accidents, fires, tornados, or other situations
- Positively represent MFSS, LLC. By upholding the agency’s values, mission, and vision.
- Understand and follow through with agency systems and protocols.
- Follow agency policies and procedures.
- Communicate positively and clearly with your supervisor and coworkers.
- Meet established timelines and deadlines.
- Maintain satisfactory attendance to work shifts, staff meetings and other assigned agency functions.
- Complete needed trainings by established deadlines (i.e. Learning Opportunity Training)
- Maximize and responsibly utilize agency and community resources.
- Complete duties assigned by supervisor or designee.
*****And other duties as assigned*******
Qualifications:
- High School diploma or GED
- Experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities; prefer 3-5 years.
- Ability to pass criminal/registry background checks
- Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening
- Clear tuberculosis screening
- A valid driver’s license & insured vehicle
- Ability to pass and maintain required trainings such as CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration and Positive Behavior Supports, Medication Administration, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation, Blood Borne Pathogens, Person-Centered Planning, HIPAA/Privacy & Confidentiality, and any other assigned trainings
Behavioral Support Training
Working Conditions: DSPs work in a changing environment that adjusts to the needs of the individuals in program services. The environment may be fast-paced with interruptions, distractions and deadlines. DSPs need to be flexible and be able to adjust to changing needs or activities. Depending on the needs of the individuals, the work can be physically demanding including transferring or supporting people with mobility needs, lifting or moving items up to 50 lbs, walking or standing for extended periods of time or providing support through CPR/First Aid, behavioral support, and other interventions. DSPs must have an insured vehicle in good working order to utilize for incidental transportation required for staff and program participants to and from community activities.
Required Trainings: New Employee Orientation, Intro to Developmental Disabilities, CPR/First Aid, Positive Behavior Supports, Medication Administration, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation, Blood Borne Pathogens, Person-Centered Planning, HIPAA/Privacy & Confidentiality, and any other assigned trainings.