JOB DUTIES

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) plays a crucial role in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. The DSP is responsible for providing compassionate care, support, and assistance to individuals in their daily activities, ensuring their safety, well-being, and personal growth. The ideal candidate will be patient, empathetic, and dedicated to improving the quality of life for those they support.

• Assist clients in providing personal care and activities of daily living, which will include personal hygiene assistance, assistance in preparing meals and feeding, and assistance in bathroom.
• Recognize and report promptly any deviations from client’s normal assessment findings, behavior and physical status. For example, bruises, scars, scratches
• Provide client care using appropriate infection control and safety precautions
  • Use safety devices appropriately (side rails, bed alarms, soft wrist restraints, waist restraints, gait belts and bed or wheelchair restraints per doctors’ orders)
  • Utilize seizure precautions appropriately
  • Report potentially unsafe conditions and correct immediately (damp floors, loose hand bars or rails)
  • Maintain good body mechanics for both patient and self in all patient care activities.
  • Use safety when using all equipment such as feeding pumps, nebulization machines, wheelchairs, and humidification and oxygen tanks.
  • Accompany to doctor appointments and outings as indicated.
• Assist clients to maintain an increase activity level
  • Position client in correct body alignment with use of appropriate devices
  • Perform simple range of motion exercises
  • Reinforce exercises taught
  • Assist client in ambulating and transferring as indicated by activity level
  • Promptly report signs of activity intolerance (shortness of breath, increased pain, muscle spasm)
• Assist in the admission, transfer, and discharge of clients as directed.
• Attend mandatory in-service training and staff meetings as scheduled
• Work collaboratively with other members of the health care team in coordination of the clients care as evidenced by other department feedback.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and wholesome work area and environment

This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of Second Family, Inc. It is expected that the employee demonstrate behavior consistent with the core values as well as follow all legal requirements in implementing duties according to policies and procedures. The employee shall support Second Family, Inc.’s strategic plan and the goals and direction of the performance improvement plan.

EDUCATION and TRAINING

• High School Diploma

LICENSES and OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Obtain and maintain current First Aid and CPR certificates
• Maintain valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Medication Technician certification preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 1 year experience in working in a group home or relevant experience
• Prior experience with medically fragile children or similar demographics is a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting and supporting clients.
• Incumbent may be exposed to virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment.
• Incumbent will be required to work at any facility owned by Second Family, Inc. and be responsible for own transportation.
• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need. (standard-shift, rotating shift, standby, on-call)

KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES

• Possess knowledge of community resources;
• Possess effective oral and written communication skills;
• Maintain working knowledge of and adherence to all company policies and procedures;
• Maintain client and company confidentiality;
• Participate as a team member in a rapidly changing behavioral health care setting.