Direct Support Professional / Job Coach

POSITION:                    Direct Support Professional/Job Coach

LOCATION:                   Highland Park, IL 

SUPERVISOR:              Adult Day Program Director / Aroma Blomquist

POSTION SUMMARY:

The Direct Support Professional/Job Coach is responsible for delivering direct services to adults in Keshet’s Community Day Services Program in a manner that respects the person's needs as well as enhances their independence and dignity within their environment and community. The Job Coach is responsible for providing skills training and on the job support to assist team members succeed in the workplace. 

These services provide our team members the opportunity to experience a meaningful life while also promoting independence and respecting choice. Keshet’s core values are the driving force behind the culture and impact of this organization and consist of positivity, patience, integrity, communication, respect and teamwork.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide a stable environment by promoting and attending to the individual’s right to respect and dignity, individual choice and input, and health and safety needs at all times.
• Support adults to achieve his/her desires outlined in their individualized Personal Plan- Be their champion!
• Teach daily living skills and help maintain current skills.
• Assist with personal care needs.
• Drive to and from field trips and community outings and daily carpool.
• Drive team member to and from work as needed.
• Participate in tracking progress towards Personal Plan outcomes and ensure this is recorded timely, consistent, and accurately.
• Apply interventions and use techniques learned during Keshet training in emergency and/or crisis situations.
• Support GADOL team member/employee to build relationships with co-workers and natural supports at the workplace.
• Complete DSP required training- CPR, First Aid, Safety Care, Rule 50, Fire Safety, Bloodborne Pathogens and continuing professional development assigned by Program Manager.
• Apply training in everyday and emergency situations.
• Communicate with co-workers and work as a team to ensure a great experience for team members.
• Be reliable and punctual in reporting for scheduled work.
• Complete DSP required training- CPR, First Aid, Safety Care, Rule 50, Fire Safety, Bloodborne Pathogens and continuing professional development assigned by Program Managers or Directors.
• Adhere to Keshet policies and procedures outlined in the policy manual, Employee Handbook, and other employee policies.
• Be respectful of Jewish culture and guidelines set forth in the personnel manual. 
   

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to relate to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with others.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Valid Driver’s License and safe driving record.
• Ability to relate to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with others.
• Understands and demonstrates ethical behavior and practices.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prepare written reports using proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Problem Solving – assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Proficient computer skills (e.g. email, word processing, basic data entry).
• Ability to represent program participants and program services in a professional manner.
• Physically assist people to perform various tasks (e.g. mobility, daily living skills).
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

PREFERRED:

• Experience with people with disabilities in the community or in a relevant field
• DSP or CNA training and experience a plus!
• CPR and First Aid Certification *Will provide FREE training if not already certified

Keshet offers a robust Employee Benefit Program which includes:

• Affordable healthcare plans
• Dental
• Vision
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• 401k plan with employer matching contributions
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Sick Time
• PTO 
• Tuition reimbursement

ABOUT KESHET

Keshet is a one-of-a-kind organization that brings classroom experiences, camps, sports, residential, social, and vocational activities for 600 people with disabilities each year. From the very start, Keshet has grown alongside our participants, creating a community of belonging where people of all abilities learn, play, work, live, and grow together. 

Today, Keshet continues to flourish, with over 75 programs in the Chicago and Wisconsin area, four residential homes, 200 dedicated staff and lay leaders, dozens of community and corporate partners, and thousands of engaged donors around the world. Nurtured by respect, creativity, tenacity and unconditional love, Keshet makes a powerful difference in the lives of each child and adult with disabilities, their families, the community and beyond.