DIRECT SUPPORT PROF DRIVER - FT (46497)

UCP of Central Arizona; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

UCP of Central Arizona is seeking a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to provide essential services that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. Responsibilities include assisting with daily living skills and safely transporting members in company vehicles. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and a commitment to improving member quality of life.

Qualified applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a clean driving record. A High School Diploma or GED is preferred. The position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the community.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must be able to provide a 39-month MVR for a good driving record.
• Must complete a pre-employment criminal background and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Provide services that enrich the lives of members.
• Assist members with daily living and social skills.
• Transport and assist members safely in a company vehicle.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Developmental Disabilities Specialist Certificate

Associate or Bachelor degree

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: UCP of Central Arizona, Laura Dozer Main Campus - Phoenix, AZ 85027.

Direct Support Professional provides services that enrich the lives of our members in areas of daily living skills, health maintenance, personal care and behavioral development. The person in this position is responsible for driving the vehicles provided in program for member transport.

Essential Functions

• Deliver services according to UCP’s mission, vision and value statements.
• Treat members with respect and encourage self-determination.
• Ensure implementation of member’s ISP goals according to individual’s support plan.
• Assist members with eating, toileting, other daily living and social skills.
• Contribute to all aspects program service delivery by interacting with members and being an active participant in all related activities.
• Assist with safety skills, including but not limited to basic first aid, fire drills, and handling emergency situations and complete reports as necessary.
• Accompany members on community outings and provide instruction and assistance accordingly.
• Use appropriate behavior management techniques (Article 9 training) with members.
• Transport and assist members safely in a company vehicle to/from program and in the community.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with staff, funding source, members and their families/guardians.
• Demonstrate and model a professional presence (appropriate language, initiative, respect, punctuality, manners, maturity, consistency) and appearance.
• Handle difficult situations with a positive attitude by actively seeking problem resolution, and creative solutions.
• Write incident reports and inform supervisor/lead regarding incidents within required timelines.
• Attend staff meetings and training required by UCP.
• Administer medication as prescribed by licensed medical professionals and according to UCP medication training.
• Collaborate with and learn from colleagues and supervisors to achieve a greater degree of service to the organization and its programs.
• Protect and maintain the confidentiality of member information and documentation in accordance with UCP policy, HIPAA, state and federal law.
• Maintain required staff-to-member ratios and appropriate member supervision at all times.
• Report suspected or alleged abuse or neglect as required by UCP policy and state law.
• Maintain clean environment and free of any safety hazards, includes program facility and vehicles.
• Process and maintain meticulous record keeping (monthly progress reports, mileage logs, maintenance requests, transportation billing logs, attendance sheets, toileting charts, medication records, skin integrity logs, etc.) within timelines.
• Ensure completion of facility, vehicle or IT (Information Technology) maintenance requests according to timelines.
• Secure vehicles to ensure the protection of the vehicle, Garmins and GPS system.
• Adhere to agency, department and the Division of Developmental Disabilities policies and procedures as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Maintain optimum attendance and reliability.
• As needed, substitute for supervisory and/or DSPs during vacations, absences, or when assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications – Minimum

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must be able to provide a 39‑month MVR to demonstrate a good driving record if driving position.
• Must meet agency licensure requirements for fingerprinting, CPS, CPR and First Aid and DDD when appropriate.
• Must successfully complete a pre‑employment criminal background and drug screening.
• Provide 3 verifiable reference letters.
• Must be able to lift and transfer members.
• For assignments that require the employee to drive a vehicle, must meet the qualifications of a driver as established by our insurance carrier and UCP policy.

Preferred

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience of working with individuals with disabilities in private or center‑based setting.
• Developmental Disabilities Specialist Certificate.
• Associate or Bachelor degree.

Required Knowledge, Abilities & Skills

• Able to complete training programs and pass associated tests to meet competency requirements.
• Good customer service and communication skills required.
• Be able to speak, read and write English.
• Have basic computer skills such as data entry, word processing, and spreadsheets.
• Must be able to demonstrate competency in the following areas: operate an agency transport vehicle; manual dexterity to keep documentation records; assess and provide behavior management in crisis situations and call for assistance if needed; and able to physically perform CPR/First Aid.

Organizational Relationships

Directly accountable to Program Lead with support from Program Manager for all phases of activities. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements 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 regularly is required to sit, stand, walk and manipulate (lift, carry, move) medium to heavy weights up to 50 pounds. Must be able to bend, kneel, squat, walk and run. Requires good hand‑eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read. The employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

Training Requirements

In accordance with UCP guidelines, it is necessary for employees to complete a series of trainings to meet the criteria for this position. The training department will provide a specific departmental guide for these requirements including additional updates.

Work Environment

The work environment includes center and classroom environment, out in the community and travel in company vehicles. Exposure to changing weather conditions and moderate noise levels.

Potential Work Conditions

While working as a DSP, employee may be required to deal with the following conditions:

• Flexibility with work hours.
• Possible exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Possible exposure to profanity, violent, and/or offensive behavior from members.