A Direct Support Professional ensures individuals' health, safety and welfare, enhances the quality of individuals' lives, and supports community inclusion.

Essential Functions (Job Duties)

Ultimate responsibility for client programming and care:

• Ensure adequate food, shelter and clothing is available for each resident.
• Provide first aid and nursing assistance as necessary or as requested by nurse or supervisor, reporting nursing and medical needs to a supervisor as needed.
• Provide individual assessment and instruction to residents in daily living skills.
• Lift, transfer and position as prescribed.
• Prepare meals, involving residents in preparation.
• Intervene and assist in crisis situations, accessing appropriate resources as needed.
• Provide support for community outings.
• Monitor and dispense medications and adhere to physician’s orders.
• Provide programming as written by Program Coordinator.
• Communicate programming information to Program Coordinator and Manager as needed.
• Ensure staffing ratios are met at all times.
• Demonstrate cultural beliefs in daily interactions.
• Utilize the least restrictive prompting at all times.
• Follow behaviors plans and crisis management plans as written.
• Participate in staff, team, and residence meetings.

• Attend appropriate training in accordance with the agency's personnel policies and maintain required certifications.

• Perform any related duties as assigned.

Complete timely and accurate documentation as required.

• Contemporaneously and accurately document programming as per policy and procedure manual.
• Accurately document client care and medical information as prescribed.

Miscellaneous

• Assist with residence cleanliness and upkeep as instructed.
• Follow universal precautions protocols.
• Demonstrate flexibility with scheduling.
• Protect client confidentiality.
• Participate in required trainings.
• Professionally represent Citizen Advocates, Inc. with families, other organizations and the community.
• Follow program policy and procedure manual as written.

Competencies

• Confidentiality
• Putting individuals first
• Building and maintaining positive relationships
• Professionalism
• Ethical conduct
• Organization

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Workweek schedule: Community Living is a 24-hour operation 7 days per week. Schedule determined by supervisor to meet location/departmental needs.

Hours and schedules may vary depending on Company need and workload. Employees will be given as much advance notice as possible when such changes occur.

Travel

Travel as needed; mostly for resident hospital visits. Travel as far as Albany, NY.

Required Education and Experience

1. High school diploma or
2. GED with one year experience working with people with developmental disabilities/mental health needs.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employment at Citizen Advocates is “at will”. You are free to resign at any time and for any reason sufficient to you, just as Citizen Advocates is free to terminate your employment at any time and for any reason. We do not guarantee continued or permanent employment.

Citizen Advocates is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.