Direct Support Professional

KCARC; Vincennes (IN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

KCARC in Vincennes, Indiana, seeks a Direct Support Professional Assistant who will work closely with participants, providing essential life skills training and personal care. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and preferably experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. The role demands excellent communication skills, flexibility in scheduling, and the ability to multitask effectively in a dynamic environment. Additional certifications in medication administration and CPR/First Aid are required.

Qualifications

• Flexible schedule to meet department demands.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to assist with personal care needs.
• Ability to establish working relationships.
• Computer literacy required.

Responsibilities

• Provide Life Skills training to participants.
• Assist with individualized training plans and assessments.
• Administer medication and provide personal hygiene assistance.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality.
• Complete required documentation for each participant.

Skills

Flexibility

Effective communication

Empathy

Teamwork

Multitasking

Education

High School diploma or GED equivalent

Tools

Personal Protective Equipment

Job description

Job Title

Direct Support Professional Assistant

Supervisor

Vice President of Program Services or designee

Department

Program Services

FLSA Status

Hourly

Summary

The Direct Support Professional Assistant will work with participants in various agency and community locations.

Essential Duties

• Adhere to KCARC’s quality policy of striving to continuously improve delivery of all services and products to customers meeting or exceeding requirements.
• Promote the mission and values of KCARC through personal example, providing educational opportunities, communicating with honesty, inviting input, and expecting mutual accountability.
• Instruct and provide Life Skills training to assigned participants. Ensure participant’s needs are met through services within program guidelines and billable service definitions. Instruction should be provided in a manner that maximizes the participant’s independence and minimizes the intervention of staff using least invasive prompting methodology.
• Assist in implementing individualized training plans, comprehensive assessments, task analysis, community resource assessment and collecting appropriate data.
• Medication administration as needed to meet the needs of individuals served. Instruct and assist participants with personal hygiene needs as appropriate.
• Strictly adhere to each participant’s risk plan, dining plan, wellness plan, and seizure plan as applicable.
• Provide and/or assist with lifting, turning, moving, positioning, and transporting participants into and out of beds, chairs, bathtubs, wheelchairs, lifts, etc. (as needed).
• Complete all required documentation and forms for each participant, i.e., behavior tracking, task element progress, sleep tracking.
• Provide medical assistance to participants as needed. Regularly complete all required medical routines and documentation including but not limited to medication administration. Address participants’ medical issues proactively.
• Assist participants with operation, usage, and maintenance of adaptive devices.
• Always maintain professionalism and confidentiality, as well as a positive attitude within the work environment.
• Be able to frequently lift 75 pounds independently and over 75 pounds with assistance.
• Follow all policies, procedures or regulations set by local, state and federal regulatory agencies, including ISO standards.
• All other duties deemed necessary.
• Additional hours if needed are mandatory.

Requirements

• Possess ability to maintain flexible schedule to meet the demands of the department.
• Maintain good hygiene.
• Possess ability to assist with full spectrum of participant’s personal care needs.
• Possess the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Possess the ability to use tact and empathy when dealing with people of varied backgrounds.
• Possess the ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Possess the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Be computer literate.
• Accept responsibility and demonstrate leadership.
• Be able to multitask effectively in a sometimes fast paced environment.

Education and Experience

High School diploma or GED equivalent preferred. One year experience working with participants with developmental disabilities and three years of driving experience is preferred.

Certifications / Licenses / Registrations

• Medication Administration: Core A and Core B, Medication Administration and side effects and show competency.
• CPR / First Aid.

Physical Demands

The employee must be able to perform the essential duties of this job.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes, airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The noise level is usually moderate but occasionally loud. Use of Personal Protective Equipment such as vinyl or latex gloves is occasionally required.