Direct Support Professional
: Job Details :

Direct Support Professionals (DSP) provide individualized professional and compassionate support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The DSP is familiar with the agency mission, agency standards of support and participates in the betterment of the organization. These principles are accomplished by always being respectful, trustworthy, and utilizing excellent communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

Person Centered Practices

The DSP uses person-centered practices, assisting people to make informed choices, develop strategies, take risks, follow through on responsibilities, and achieve their goals. DSP will complete duties by staying focused on the individual being supported, being honest, always showing respect towards others, and completing tasks in a timely and effective way.

Implementation of Services

The DSP assists with implementation of the person-centered plan to achieve specific outcomes derived from the person's preferences, needs, and interests. The DSP maintains collaborative professional relationships with the participant and all support team members (including family/friends), follows ethical standards of practice (e.g., confidentiality, informed consent, etc.), and recognizes his or her own personal limitations.

Community Living Skills & Supports

The DSP helps people manage the physical, personal, financial, and household tasks that are necessary on a day-to-day basis to pursue an independent community-based lifestyle. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, personal care, cooking, cleaning and community integration.

Education, Training & Self-Development

The DSP obtains and maintains necessary certifications and seeks opportunities to improve their skills and work practices through further education and training. Learns and stays current with technology used for documentation, communication, and other work activities.

Advocacy

The DSP will support people by encouraging them to advocate for themselves and assist them to overcome challenges so that they can achieve a full community life.

Vocational, Educational & Career Support

The DSP is knowledgeable about the career and/or education goals of the person(s) they support and will assist them in acquiring the necessary resources to achieve their objectives.

Crisis Prevention and Intervention

The DSP identifies risk and behaviors that can lead to a crisis, and uses effective strategies to prevent or intervene in the crisis in collaboration with others. The DSP discusses incidents with authorized staff and participant(s), adjusts supports and the environment, maintains confidentiality, and complies with regulations for reporting.

Documentation

The DSP is aware of the requirements for daily documentation and is able to manage these requirements efficiently. The DSP maintains accurate records, collecting and compiling data, and submitting records to appropriate sources in a timely fashion. Maintains standards of confidentiality and ethical practice.

Community Inclusion and Relationships

The DSP implements the necessary individualized supports including providing support with planning community activities, facilitating and developing relationships and peer interactions.

Supporting Health & Wellness

The DSP promotes the health and wellness of all people they support. The DSP observes, documents, and implements appropriate actions to promote healthy living to prevent illness and accidents. The DSP will collaborate with healthcare professionals and provide support in accordance with health and medical recommendations, which may include a Nursing Plan of Care. DSP will monitor participant for signs of illness or health-related concerns, and respond by implementing treatments, reporting issues to health care professionals and participant's family as appropriate, documentation as needed, and ensuring coordination between care providers.

Communication

The DSP builds trust and productive relationships with people they support, coworkers, and others through respectful and clear verbal and written communication.

This job description is intended to describe the essential job functions and requirements for the successful performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add, change or reassign duties at any time.

OSHA Category:

This position may perform tasks that involve exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissues. All employees are offered the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination series. All employees are required to complete Universal Precautions/Bloodborne Pathogens training.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge/Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED

Valid Maryland Driver's License with less than 3 points

Computer Literacy (Including Microsoft Word and the use of Google Mail, ICM and Paycom) Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

Ability to successfully complete all ODA, Arc of Howard County and MBON required trainings

Ability to lift 25-30 lbs.