Community Support Advocate — Direct Care Professional

Sertoma Star Services; Crete (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

13 Paid holidays

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans

Employer Paid Insurance: Basic Life/AD

Employee Assistance Program

403(b) with company match

Tuition assistance

Eligibility for Public Service Loan 0%

Job summary

Sertoma Star Services is seeking a Direct Support Professional to support individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in our Community Day Services. You will help build skills, foster independence, and enable meaningful participation in daily life and community activities.

Responsibilities include effective communication, dignity, and creating opportunities for personal growth, guided by each consumer’s plan.

Qualifications

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively work with coworkers and consumers.
• Knowledge of working with individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and meet agency driving requirements when required to provide transportation.
• Obtain Pace certification within 3 months of hire; Maintain while working in the CDS program.

Responsibilities

• Communicates well with consumers, using their preferred form of communication, to determine their likes, interests, strengths, wants, and needs.
• Treats consumers with dignity and respect, while providing them with the support needed to become as independent as possible.
• Provides support to consumers to obtain outcomes that will allow them to live their best lives possible as documented in their Personal Plan/Implementation Strategy.
• Provides training and assistance to consumers by completing tasks with the consumer, instead of for the consumer.
• Provides training and support to consumers to help them achieve personal success utilizing information from their Personal Plan/Implementation Strategy.
• Advocates for consumers wants and needs and helps them advocate for themselves, as requested.
• Supports consumers to participate fully in their community and promotes community inclusion by assisting consumers in developing natural supports.
• Encourages consumers to make choices throughout their daily life by providing opportunities and education to learn problem solving skills and take responsibility for their choices.
• Assesses and plans for risks to allow consumers to make informed choices when taking risks to participate in new experiences.
• Protects the rights of consumers by understanding their rights, educating them on their rights, and ensuring their rights are not violated.
• Documents all supports provided in a timely manner to include, but not limited to, daily progress notes, incident reports, injury/illness reports, daily attendance, etc. utilizing the Human Services Management System (HSMS).
• Works cooperatively with all staff, outside providers, and family members/guardians to ensure high quality services.
• Follows all agency Policies and Procedures.
• Transports consumers to and from CDS programs and community based activities.
• Provides support to consumers working on the production line to become as proficient as possible in learning various job skills.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Disability awareness

Independent work

Driver's license

Pace certification

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Sertoma Star Services is seeking a Direct Support Professional to support individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in our Community Day Services. You will help build skills, foster independence, and enable meaningful participation in daily life and community activities.

Responsibilities include effective communication, dignity, and creating opportunities for personal growth, guided by each consumer’s plan.