Decorah Direct Support Professional

Job Summary:

This position reports to the Program Manager within the scope of the mission, guiding principles, values, ethics and strategic goals of Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa, Inc. This position is responsible for training, supervising, advising, and monitor activities of persons served as outlined in their Individual Program Plan or Individual Employment Plan. This position also communicates effectively with program participants, counsels them, and coordinates services for them as needed. Provides excellent service to both internal and external customers by way of communication and assistance and by way of quality of work.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(Essential functions of the position are listed in bold print.)

• Assists program participants with developing strategies, making informed choices, and following through on responsibilities.
• Encourages program participants to achieve goals and desired outcomes by assisting with the development of programming derived from participants’ preferences, needs, interests, and strengths.
• Provides program participants with information about community resources available to them and helps with increasing the program participants’ ability to self-advocate.
• Drives program participants to and from appointments, events, stores, activities, etc.
• Ensures program participants have access to appropriate resources and helps with coordination of those resources if needed.
• Provides ongoing assessment of program participants to identify needs and support their capabilities, strengths, and preferences.
• Builds rapport with program participants through effective communication based on the participants’ communication style.
• Maintains accurate documentation on program participants by learning and remaining current on appropriate documentation guidelines and electronic documentation systems, developing a system to manage documentation, and setting priorities.
• Submits documentation for program participants in a timely manner.
• Provides crisis intervention as needed to defuse situations, determine appropriate intervention, and contact the necessary support systems. Complies with all reporting requirements related to crisis intervention.
• Maintains professional and ethical relationships with program participants, program participant family and friends, co-workers, and other agencies.
• Completes all duties of the job and all work requirements.
• Models Goodwill’s core values, IMPACT. (Inspire Others, Mission First, People Matter, Align with Community, Create Opportunity, Tell our Stories)

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED, required.
• A minimum of 1 year related experience, preferred. Must be CPR/First Aid and Medication Management certified within 6 months of starting employment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively instruct persons with disabilities.
• Ability to adjust to unexpected or different situations.
• Computer proficiency.
• Reliable cellphone.
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.
• Possess a positive attitude and infect others with similar enthusiasm
• Loyalty to the agency and its mission and policies.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance, required.
• Ability to use good judgment, discretion, and initiative.