Job Summary

The Direct Support Professional is responsible for the daily care and supervision of children ensuring their health, safety, and wellbeing is protected at all times. The Direct Support Professional provides guidance and support of children in a safe, structured environment that meets the needs of the children while maintaining professional and acceptable boundaries at all times. This position works closely with supervisors, addressing issues and concerns within the team to achieve desired results.

Essential Duties:

• Supervise residents to ensure their safety and wellbeing and adjust the level of supervision according to the circumstances and needs of the residents in care.
• All shifts, including overnight shifts, must stay awake throughout shift and document headcounts per program requirement, and use of bathroom and any unusual sleep patterns or behaviors. Provides supportive supervision for residents unable to sleep. On night shifts, must stay in contact with other night staff as required.
• Make sure residents have the appropriate clothing, shoes, personal care supplies, and hygiene items needed for grooming. Provide encouragement and coaching on maintaining good hygiene and proper attire, as required by the program.
• Support the education of residents in care by ensuring they are on time to attend school, participating in teacher conferences, and providing assistance with homework as needed. Monitor classrooms, if residents attend school onsite.
• Implement daily activity schedules including, but not limited to, hygiene, mealtime, chores, schoolwork and recreation. Assist in the planning, ordering, and preparation of healthy meals and snacks in the home.
• Supervise and facilitate all recreational and leisure time.
• Work in cooperation with other child care staff to provide a safe, clean, orderly home for residents in compliance with applicable licensing and accreditation standards.
• Provide input in staff meetings to develop individual habilitation plans as necessary.
• Follow individual service plans.
• Observe and document changes in behavior or symptoms of illness.
• Be knowledgeable in and follow all regulatory, licensing, and accreditation standards.
• Transport residents in facility vehicles, as needed, to required appointments or off-site activities. Ensure supervision requirements are met and followed while off-site.
• Administer all prescribed medications and properly record medications given. Observe for side effects.
• Models appropriate behaviors, judgement, and language.
• Complete shift logs prior to the end of each shift worked.
• Implement emergency procedures when necessary and appropriately implements therapeutic interventions with residents when necessary.
• Assess and correct any problems within skill level or social appropriateness.
• Submit work order requests through supervisor for any work that requires a skilled worker such as major electrical and plumbing issues.

Education & Experience

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of one year of prior experience as direct care staff in a residential treatment center serving children in the child welfare system is preferred.
• Experience working with children diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral and emotional disorders is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to assist residents during meal preparation, housekeeping responsibilities, personal hygiene, grooming, and other activities as needed.
• Ability to support the agency's culture, growth, and success through communication, accountability, and positivity.
• Ability to be clear headed and decisive based on the scope of the position.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively both individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to appropriately accept feedback through the supervision process thus displaying the willingness to learn, grow, and improve.
• Demonstrate the ability to be a positive role model and have excellent leadership skills.
• Competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, the Internet, electronic records management system and other software applications.
• Effective oral/written communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Additional Requirements

• Proof of valid Driver's License (Type C) and three years of driving experience
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Proof of valid/current auto insurance.
• Cleared motor vehicle driving record.
• Three employment references.
• Cleared criminal background check and signed statement regarding felony indictments/convictions.
• Cleared TB test results (current within 12 months prior to employment).
• Cleared pre-employment drug test.
• Working cellular telephone.

Physical and Mental Demands

With or without reasonable accommodation, the physical and mental requirements of this job include the following: frequent bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, carrying, pulling, climbing, and kneeling in interactions with the children. Approximately 50% of the time on shift spent walking or standing. Must hear, speak and see well to drive and respond quickly in emergencies. Ability to recognize the needs and moods of non-verbal children recognize the difference between angry and combative and the ability to differentiate tone and volume in conversations. Ability to maintain a calm demeanor in tense situations and use appropriate de-escalation skills as trained. Requires participation in field trips, recreation and social activities (both indoors and outdoors).