Direct Support Professional

Nature of Work: The responsibility of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) is to provide a safe environment, to includesupport and supervisiontoindividuals withdisabilities. The DSPis responsible forencouraging growth and independence whiledemonstratingdignity and respect to each person served.DSPs promote problem solving and helppersonsserveddevelop strategiesto overcome barriers, to promoteindependence, dignity, and inclusion. The DSP isdirectly responsibleto the individual(s) they support, but is supervised by a Residential Manager, CommunityProgramSupervisor, DSP Scheduler/Supervisor, or Shared Living Coordinator, depending on the program. Essential Functions: Individual(s) ServedSupport Adhere to planning guidelines and treatment asidentifiedin the Individual PCP and ISPs. Assistindividuals with self-advocacy, buildingconfidenceandself-esteem, andpromotingindependence. Advocate for individuals rights, dignity, and informed choices while actively empowering and supporting them to self-advocate whenever possible. Providesupportsin a flexible manner that is most comfortable and effective for the individualwhich recognizes their gifts and talents. Plan, perform, or assist with care or activities with individuals according to their preference or needs, to include, but not limited to, household chores (cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, laundry, dishes, vacuuming, making thebed, household maintenance, etc.), community involvement, social, recreation and leisure skills, communication skills, personal safety skills, appropriate behavior. Support clients in becominginclusivecommunity members by developing social relationships and enhancing skills for engaging in activities such as volunteering, senior activities, nature education, and exploring community opportunities.Assistwith planning their schedules. Encouraging andassistinginmaintainingrelationships with family, friends, and people in the community. Assistinmaintainingrelationshipswith community businesses, clubs, civic groups, and organizations and arranges quality individual community participation. If applicable to the person, assist with or perform personal care by repositioning the individual, bathing, bowel or bladder care, showers, exercising, range of motion, feeding (oralor feeding tubes), hair care (brushing, washing, styling, shaving), dental care (brushing, flossing, dentures), nail clipping, etc. Transport (adhering to all safety policies and laws) orarrange fortransportation to medical, social, and community activities, whenappropriate. Notify transportation company and/or work/program if a person is ill or unable to attend due to appointments, an incident, or vacation. Assistwith teaching and preparing healthy meal plans to encourageoptimalhealth, involving the individual(s) in making choices of selection of meals. Work collaboratively with professional consultants, i.e., Psychiatrist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Psychologists, Primary Physician, and other medical personnelto ensureindividuals supportedreceiveappropriate medicalcare. Maintain the general upkeep of the home on each persons shift, i.e., laundry, dishwashing, and all normal household responsibilities. Ensure the home andgroundsare alwayssafe, neat, and clean. Staff working an overnight shift must be prepared to meeteach individualserved needs should they occur during the night. Effectively manage and redirect behaviors, both physical and verbal. Safety Alwaysmaintainindividual safety andprovide assistanceand oversight asrequiredto meet the needs of the person. Provide regular security checks on all windows, doors, and vehicles asrequired. Respond to and use effective techniques to prevent and respond to crises and emergency situations. Staff are to always remain awake and alertand address safety concernsimmediately Documentation& Compliance Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job. Complete daily shift documentation according to outcomes and supports of individuals served, which may also include Health Tracking, Monthly Progress Notes, General Event Reports, and DHHS Reportable Event Forms.Documentation must be completed prior to the end ofshift. Regularlyseeksfeedback and input from customers (i.e.people supported, guardians, family members, DHHS staff, other team members, etc).Addresses concerns of individuals supported, guardians, andfamily members asappropriate, while ensuring supervisor is aware and escalates concerns as needed. Training/Certification Attend andparticipatein required meetings and in-service training, as scheduled. Support new team members by providing on-the-job training. Maintaincertifications/competencies as required by 3Rivers and federal and state agencies. Must obtain Certified Residential Medication Aide certification within six months of hire, unless otherwise coordinated with management or not necessary for specific program. Follow all 3Riverspolicies as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Operations Manual. Agency Core Values: Accountability: Wetake ownership of our actions, follow through on commitments, and hold ourselves and each other tohigh standards. Adaptability: Weembrace change, stay open to feedback, and grow through learning and evolving together. Collaboration: Wework as one team, listening, supporting, and building on each others strengths. Empowerment: Wesupport individuals in making their own choices, fostering independence, self-expression, and valuing every voice and experience with respect and empathy. Community: Webelieve in the power of connection and community.We are dedicated to serving, placing the needs and well-being of those we support at the center of all we do. Other Duties: Pleasenotethis job description is not designed to cover orcontaina comprehensivelistingof activities, duties or responsibilities that arerequired ofthe employee for this job. Duties, responsibilitiesand activities may change at any time. Additional Expectations: Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends. Travel between agency locations, as necessary. Demonstrate and commitment to confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional values. Physical Requirements/ Work Environment: Physical ability to walk, squat, stoop/bend, kneel, climb stairs, push and pull against potential resistance, implementMANDTand CPR/First Aid when needed. Must be able to lift and/or move at least50pounds toassistin life skills, such as bathing, physical rescue, and wheelchairassistance. Specific vision abilities may include closevision; colorvisionand the ability to adjust focus. Ability to understand and implement the concept of home and community support. Ability to remain calm and function appropriately in stressful situations. Abilityto alwaysmaintainconfidentiality. Works indoors in well-lit and ventilated rooms, and outdoors in the community.Possibilityof cuts or minor burns fromequipment andmay be exposed to communicable diseases. Possibility of strain or injury from interacting with the individuals supported. Qualifications: High School Degree or GED equivalent. Must be age 18 or older. Possess basic computer skills anda workingknowledge of Microsoft Word program.Experience withMicrosoft office productspreferred. Possessa valid Mainestate drivers license. Prior experience as aDSP preferred. Ability to speak, read, writeand communicate effectively in English at a minimum of an eighth-grade level, with or without accommodation(requiredfor state mandated training). Ability to obtain andmaintainall required certificationswhichinclude DSP, CRMA, CPR/First Aid Ability to pass required background checks, toinclude: AdultandChild Protective Services; criminal history; OIG Exclusion list; National Sex Offender Registry; andBureau of Motor Vehicles record.