Residential Direct Support Professional

Job Title: Residential Direct Support Professional
Department:  Residential
Reports To:  Home Manager and Care Provider
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Summary

Residential Direct Support Professional provides services that enrich the lives of residents with developmental disabilities living in an intermediate care facility. Under the supervision of the Home Manager and Care Provider, Residential Direct Support Professional assists residents with living skills development, health maintenance and medication administration, personal care, and behavioral development.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Assists with living skill development and personal care needs of the residents as directed by the Home Manger and outlined in the resident’s individualized service plan (ISP). This may include the supervision and/or assistance of cooking, shopping, doing laundry, showering, feeding, dressing, toileting, and mobility (this may include lifting a resident from a seated or lying down position) as indicated by the resident’s need.
2. Assists in all active treatment programs as outlined in the ISP. Including assisting the resident with their behavioral development by implementing approved behavior plans and physical techniques when necessary to protect the resident and others.
3. Administers medications to residents as directed by the facility’s Registered Nurse and as prescribed by the resident’s physician.
4. Writes documents as assigned such as case notes, medication documentation, special incident reports, and emergency drill summaries.
5. Transports and accompanies residents to recreational outings (ie movies, musicals, parks) and medical appointments using the agency van.
6. Assists the Home Manager with day-to-day household management duties: food preparation and cleanup, housekeeping, and laundry.
7. Handles resident funds and facility petty cash funds in accordance with facility policy and procedures.
8. Participates in initial and ongoing training.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

1. Demonstrates a respectful attitude toward the clients and allows them to have as much independence as their potential allows.
2. Attends meetings as directed by the Home Manager and Care Provider.
3. Believes in and supports the agency’s core values, mission, and vision. Works effectively with co-workers, consumers and others by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical solutions; addressing others by name, title or other respectful identifiers; and respecting the diversity of the New Horizons workforce in actions, words and deeds.
4. Maintains the highest professional and ethical standards at all times.
5. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must pass a criminal background check approved by the CA Dept of Public Health. Must have valid California driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the agency’s insurance carrier. Must obtain agency driving certification within 90 days of employment and maintain certification in good standing while employed. Must have current CPR and First Aid certifications. Must also obtain agency medication certification within 90 days of employment and maintain certification in good standing while employed.

Because the needs of the consumers and the department often change, the individual must be willing to work in any home that is assigned. Also, when possible, must be willing to work on different days and different times than “regular schedule”.

This person will primarily be working in homes designated as Moderately Challenging Homes.

Education and/or Experience

Strong preference is given to applicants who have had some experience working with the developmentally disabled. Since there are many rules and regulations in an intermediate care facility, the applicant must demonstrate the ability to follow specific directions as set forth by his/her direct supervisor and a variety of professional staff. A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Language Skills

Ability to read, speak, write and comprehend in English. Ability to effectively present information in English in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, consumers, and other employees of the organization.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.