The mission of On Your Mark is to provide innovative and comprehensive community-based service to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across their lifespan. We are committed to helping each individual experience the highest quality of life possible by providing person-centered programs that promote community and social inclusion, health and fitness, daily activity participation, independence, self-empowerment, and productivity.
Gain experience for career development in multiple fields including Education, Social Services, and Healthcare!
Full time employees may be eligible for the following:
- Health Benefits including optional Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for you and your dependents
- Medical FSA and Dependent Care Account
- Partial Medical deductible reimbursement
- 401(k) with Safe Harbor match
- Generous PTO
The role of the Direct Support Professional is to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities live as independently, comfortably and secure as possible. Direct Support Professionals promote the integration of the individuals into the community by teaching daily living skills, helping attain goals, and providing instruction, assistance and support when required.
OVERVIEW:
All employees are expected to know the details of their job description and to perform all duties as indicated. Although this job description provides an outline of your fundamental duties, the specific tasks that staff performs will vary with the individuals served. Direct Support Professionals should always consult with their supervisor if they have any questions regarding an individual’s Life Plan and/or the duties to be completed during a shift. The needs of the individuals with developmental disabilities define the parameters of your responsibilities. Your ability to teach, assist and promote individual independence and community integration helps foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This list does not represent an all inclusive list of responsibilities, duties and skills that may be assigned or required. Remember all individuals differ, as well as their needs.
- Teach and Assist individuals in all daily living skills and other items outlined in the Life Plan.
- Provide prompts as needed and provide redirections as appropriate.
- Motivate individuals to accomplish the tasks inherent in daily living.
- Advocate for and assist individuals in expressing their interests and needs.
- Assist and encourage individuals whenever possible to exercise choice and make decisions regarding their residence, day-to-day routines, hobbies, pursuits and relationships.
- Communicate regularly with management on individual’s progress, issues, and concerns as they arise.
- Document individual’s behavior and progress.
- Document all incidents and other individual related information according to agency policy.
- Monitor individual’s treatment programming.
- Maintain confidentiality of all individual records and information.
- Appropriately communicate to supervisors and staff, both verbally and in writing (residence log book, incident reports, etc.) pertinent individual and/or program issues ensuring the continuity of care and efficient operation of the residence.
- Maintain ongoing knowledge of each individual’s medical, psychological cognitive and social needs and ensure that programming is appropriate to needs and treatment goals
- Administer medication following the 5 rights: Give the Right Medication, to the Right Person, in the Right Dose, at the Right Time and by the Right Route.
- Adhere to medication protocols; including administering, disposing, etc.
- Respond appropriately to immediate or urgent emergent individual needs, such as injuries and illness and provide or obtain assistance as needed.
- Provide behavioral support and intervention as written in the behavior treatment plan, including physical intervention as required.
- Assure the individual’s environment meets or exceeds established standards for health and safety.
- Complete all required documentation on a daily basis before the end of your shift. Information should be noted in a professional manner.
- Your writing must be grammatically correct, clear and thorough.
- Make accurate use of daily log books by reading it when the shift begins and recording complete and accurate information at the end of the shift.
- Monitor for any injuries, bruises or wounds.
- You must never leave the individuals alone, unless otherwise specified in ISP. You must be available at all times to provide support, active listening, and feedback.
- Include individuals in any conversation conducted in their presence. Engage only in activities that involve the individual or pertain to the individuals.
- Never leave a individual alone in a vehicle. Maintain visual contact at all times.
- You must remain awake and alert at all times. You are never paid to sleep. You must be available to respond to individuals at all times.
- Provide basic health support and assistance with health care needs including vital signs, bathing, toileting, dressing and grooming.
- Provide hands-on personal assistance required as needed by each individuals to maintain good personal hygiene.
- Assist individuals with life skills, including living, vocational, recreational and educational skills.
- Work in a "therapeutic partnership" with individuals in a considerate, open manner.
- Assist individuals with experiences and activities that will improve the quality of their lives; including but not limited to swimming, fitness exercise, bowling, walking, running, camping, etc.
- Prepare meals in accordance with prepared menu and needs of individuals.
- You must drive the individuals to programs, activities, doctor’s appointments, etc.
- You must perform household chores. You must do all the cleaning of the house, even if a client helps or it is on an individual’s chore chart.
- You must shovel snow.
- You must do laundry.
- Follow universal precautions at all times.
- Respond to emergencies affecting individuals, including administering First Aid, CPR and SCIP in an effective manner.
- Maintain First Aid, CPR, SCIP AMAP and other required training; attend additional training as requested by supervisor and/or administration.
- Exercise professional standards including honesty, the exercise of sound judgment, the needs for further clarification and the open admission of errors when they occur.
- Remain fully aware of an accountable to work shifts that are assigned.
- Follow verbal and written instructions of supervisors.
- Attend mandatory staff meetings and all other meetings as assigned.
- Adhere to compensation policies, scheduling vacation etc., and procedures for use of clocking in and out when scheduled to work.
- Provide continued coverage until relief staff arrive.
- Maintain a positive working relationship with individuals, families of individuals, staff and supervisors.
- Model positive behavior, good manners, appropriate dress, social interactions and appropriate language.
- Perform other duties assigned.
