Direct Support Professional, AM (Sylacauga)

AltaPointe Health Systems; Sylacauga (AL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

AltaPointe Health Systems in Alabama operates six group homes in West Mobile and Semmes, providing a supportive, safe environment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This role focuses on daily care, medication assistance, crisis de-escalation, meal prep, transportation to activities, documentation, and collaboration with the care team to deliver person-centered services.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid Alabama driver's license.
• Must be 23+ years old with liability insurance.
• MAC certification completed.
• Defensive Driving certification completed.

Responsibilities

• Monitors people served and trains on Person Centered Planning.
• Assists with personal care, medication administration, meals and safety.
• Stocking groceries and kitchen supplies per dietary orders.
• Recognizes crisis indicators and de-escalates appropriately.
• Maintains Nurse Delegation program compliance and documentation.
• Ensures appointments and activities are kept; transports as needed.
• Models appropriate behavior and assists with housekeeping.
• Completes shift handoffs and collaborates with the team.
• Follows health, safety, and policy procedures.

Skills

Psychiatric disorders knowledge

Cultural diversity awareness

Behavior management

Crisis intervention

Adult education methods (psychiatric)

Driver's license

Medication Assistance Certification (M

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

AltaPointe provides homes to approximately 50 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community. Our six group homes in West Mobile and Semmes offer a safe, supportive community atmosphere with various levels of independence. These programs work in conjunction with Day Programs, Supportive Employment, Recreation, and Family Support to provide a comprehensive continuum of high-quality care and services.

Primary Job Functions

General Responsibilities

• Provides ongoing monitoring and interaction with people served to include training on Person Centered Planning, implementation of Psychotropic Medication and Behavioral Support plans if applicable
• Assists with personal care issues (bathing, toileting, and other personal hygiene issues), medication administration, chores, and safety issues
• Preparation of meals according to individualized dietary orders, posted menus and responsible for stocking food and household items
• Demonstrate the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and takes a proactive approach to deescalate or resolve the situation
• Ongoing compliance with Nurse Delegation Program, including recertification requirements
• Ensures adherence to individual appointments and implements planned activities
• Transports to and from day habilitation programs, work, medical appointments, recreational, social and religious gatherings, meetings and other related functions appointments/activities
• Models appropriate behavior including communication skills, grooming, manners, etc.
• Assist person served and works with others to ensure house cleanliness
• Performs hand off communication at shift change and effectively collaborates with other support team members
• Complies with routine health and safety tasks for both house and vehicles

Supervision and Consultation

• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings
• Demonstrates the willingness to work at any ARS ID facility based on staffing needs

Clinical Record Keeping

• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
• Documents in a legible manner, individualized services provided on a data sheet
• Documents detailed services related to Person Centered Planning, quarterly progress notes, and any other responses related to the advancement of accomplishing person centered goals

Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
• Attends appropriate in-services training and other workshops
• Any other duties that are assigned by supervisor or designee

Physical Requirements of the Job

• There is frequent to constant standing while organizing/stocking groceries
• Sitting is frequent by nature; however, extended sitting could be up to 1.5 hours for documentation and 1 hour for group time
• Walking various distances on grounds can be frequent and the furthest distance could be up to 300 feet
• Squatting/lunging frequently to stock/organize groceries/supplies in pantry and to retrieve pots/pans needed for cooking and to lift pans out of the oven
• Strong grasp is needed frequently to constantly handle groceries/supplies when lifting and while cooking
• Fine Manipulation for writing and handling paperwork
• Pushing/pulling force 5 pounds force (horizontal) to open standing freezer doors to access groceries
• Lifting various ranges from the floor to overhead with weights up to 5-15 pounds frequently, 30-40 pounds from floor to 48 inches to stock groceries/supplies occasionally, 50 pounds from floor to waist 1-2 times per day
• There may be times when mopping, sweeping, making beds, washing/drying clothes for consumers may be done
• Any other duties that are assigned by supervisor

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent. Has and maintains a valid Alabama driver’s license. Must be 23 years of age or older and must have proof of current liability insurance. Effectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competencies.

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practices
• Knowledge of educational methods to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders
• Successful completion of Medication Assistance Certification (MAC)
• Successful completion of Defensive Driving program