Direct Support Professional (DSP) Phoenix

Areas of Responsibility:

Environmental Health and Safety

• Assists in ensuring that the house is maintained in compliance with expected standards for the safety and welfare of the residents.
• Minimizes employee and resident accidents/injuries and unnecessary expenditures by reporting unsatisfactory conditions of bathrooms, sinks, tubs, showers, floors, positioning equipment, beds, etc., and promptly reports safety and/or health hazards to management.
• Completes periodic walk-throughs with supervisor during each shift and at shift change, upon request.
• Perform housekeeping tasks, as necessary and/or assigned.
• Participates in disaster drills and emergency drills.

Resident Care

• Delivers high quality resident care to individuals according to agency regulations and ASC’s best practices.
• Feeds, bathes, provides grooming to residents - promotes self-care, encouraging residents to do as much for themselves as possible, promoting more independence during routines of daily living.
• Checks (and changes as necessary) assigned individuals every two hours, takes individuals on toileting programs to bathroom on schedule, and/or reminds individuals who toilet independently to go to the restroom, if needed.
• Uses appropriate lifting techniques at all times; wears lifting belt and uses Hoyer Lift with assistance from other staff.
• Monitors physical condition for signs of illness or dysfunction that may need nursing intervention and promptly reports resident accidents, illness and/or other medical concerns to the nurse immediately.
• Assists nurses with tasks as necessary following doctor’s orders.
• Periodically conducts inventories of each individual’s clothing, hygiene and supplies; Submits replenishment list and completes shopping as needed to maintain adequate levels; Completes/updates resident inventory logs as directed.

IDD Programming

• Delivers high quality services in support of the physical, social, and psychological well-being of ICF residents according to agency regulations and ASC’s best practices.
• Provides physical management, nutritional management, PT/OT and behavioral services in a timely manner according to plan; Ensures that shooting Star Day Program schedules are followed as written, if applicable; Implements activities to meet each resident’s habilitation and support plan; Advocates for change/removal of goals when appropriate.
• Follows mealtime and physical management plans; Reports concerns to supervisor.
• Helps develop activities and situations within the ICF or group home which encourage interaction among residents. Physical intervention may be required if residents need assistance.
• Accompanies individuals on field trips, excursions, community integration and recreational activities and to ADT, medical appointments, shopping, church, etc. Transports individuals using an ASC van as assigned.
• Participates in resident-related meetings (at least one per quarter) and behavior management, shift and house meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned in response to the needs of individuals, the organization and/or programs.

Reporting and Recordkeeping

• Ensures that required documentation is accurately completed in a timely manner, including but not limited to: reports, data sheets, log books, evaluations, disciplinary warnings, incident reports, house inspections, OJT checklists, etc.
• Accurately and promptly documents each individual’s progress according to their plan, agency regulations and ASC best practices.
• Accurately completes daily care and I/O sheets by the end of each shift for assigned individuals.
• Records seizures on seizure sheet accurately.
• Documents observations of individual behavior, specific as to what individual did and events which influenced individual response, when appropriate.
• Promptly reports unusual incidents and workplace accidents/injuries in a timely manner using the Incident Report form.

Training and Development

• Obtains the required training to meet the agency requirements and ASC’s policies.
• Participates in training and in-services when offered/required; Obtains re-certifications as necessary.
• Pursues professional growth by making use of professional development opportunities that would enhance Ann Storck Center’s programs.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED certification.
• At least one year of verifiable experience as a home health aide, caregiver, nursing assistant or other care professional; experience working with challenging behaviors, preferred.
• May be required to have a Florida driver’s license and good driving record.
• Effective problem-solving, reasoning and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive data.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Primary duties are in an ICF home environment with moderate noise levels. First, second or third shift; Weekends, holidays and overtime may be required. May be required to operate ASC vehicles to transport individuals. Position is categorized as essential personnel for the purposes of providing disaster services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: ASC is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicant or employees with disabilities and will attempt to make reasonable accommodations when necessary. The following are abilities and physical requirements for this position at ASC:

• Able to lift 50 lbs. in a safe and appropriate manner utilizing standard orientation techniques.
• May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting, standing and/or squatting in performance of job duties.
• Must be able to hear, see, and communicate effectively in writing, using the English language, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with all levels of staff, exercising effective problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills.
• May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment / supplies to include, but not limited to, pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, etc.