Direct Support Professional

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) shall provide one-to-one support for youth with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families in the home or community. The DSP will ensure that the youth's health and safety is maintained at all times and will always treat the individual and their family with dignity.

Agency-Hired Respite is a support service available through the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and is meant to provide a break for parents and families from full-time caregiving duties.

• Support a 15-year-old female in Neptune

• Up to 2 weekdays, 3–7 PM (about 7 hours/week)

• Must be comfortable supporting someone who is nonverbal and needs prompting/personal care

• Seizure-trained (or willing to complete training)

• Able to understand nonverbal communication (pointing)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures that all work is carried out in a manner that is both respectful and empowering to families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Maintains regular communication with supervisor via agency email.
• Remains attentive, flexible, and supportive of the individual and their family.
• Completes an Agency Orientation and other requirements including CPR and First Aid certification (every two years).
• Completes 6 professional development hours annually.
• Contacts family and supervisor 48 hours prior to a scheduled shift if unable to attend.
• Provides proper supervision and care of the individual(s) assigned to them.
• Maintains participant's confidentiality and adheres to HIPAA requirements at all times.
• Encourages and models social behavior with realistic expectations and encourages appropriate self-expression.
• Receives constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates a willingness to improve.
• Gives feedback in a respectful manner.
• Demonstrates a friendly, courteous, and professional demeanor.
• Submits all pertinent documents, including service logs, timesheets, and incident reports by specified deadlines.
• Follows mandatory reporting procedures according to FRN and state protocols.
• Frequently lift, move, or hold items with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds. Lifting, moving, or holding weight of more than 40 pounds may be required.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED.
• Meet agency and state requirements (CPR, First Aid, etc.) and maintain credentials for the position, which includes ongoing training.
• Experience with assisting and serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities preferred.
• Must submit to a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug screening. All employment and continued employment are contingent upon receipt and maintenance of a satisfactory criminal records review/fingerprint report.

• Support a 15-year-old female in Neptune

• Up to 2 weekdays, 3–7 PM (about 7 hours/week)

• Must be comfortable supporting someone who is nonverbal and needs prompting/personal care

• Seizure-trained (or willing to complete training)

• Able to understand nonverbal communication (pointing)