Direct Support Professional (Chicago Heights)

Sertoma Star Services; Chicago Heights (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Medical insurance

Employer-paid life/AD&D

Long-term disability

Employee assistance program

401(k) with match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Sertoma Star Services seeks a Direct Support Professional in Chicago Heights to empower individuals with disabilities and mental illness through hands-on support, training, and positive daily life engagement.

You will work with consumers to build skills, foster independence, and promote inclusion by providing transportation, documentation, and collaboration with families and staff. A valid driver's license is required and Pace certification within 3 months is expected.

Qualifications

• Good verbal and written communication with consumers and colleagues.
• Ability to collaborate with coworkers and consumers to support goals.
• Knowledge of working with individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to work independently and complete tasks per guidance.
• Must have a valid driver's license and meet driving requirements.
• PACE certification must be obtained within 3 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with consumers using preferred communication methods to assess likes, interests, and needs.
• Treat consumers with dignity and support independence.
• Assist consumers to achieve outcomes documented in Personal Plan.
• Provide training by doing tasks with the consumer, not for them.
• Support personal success using plan/implementation strategies.
• Advocate for consumer wants and needs and empower self-advocacy.
• Encourage community participation and develop natural supports.
• Promote daily life decision-making and problem solving.
• Assess risks to enable informed participation in new experiences.
• Protect rights and educate consumers about them.
• Document supports via HSMS including daily notes and reports.
• Collaborate with staff, outside providers, and guardians for quality services.
• Follow agency policies and procedures.
• Transport consumers to CDS programs and activities.
• Support on-line production line training to build job skills.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Disability services knowledge

Independent work

Driver's license

PACE certification

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Who We Are

At Sertoma Star Services, we\'re on a mission to empower individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives. With a strategic presence in South Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we proudly serve over 2,000 consumers through a diverse range of vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential programs. Sertoma Star Services\' roots trace back to the merger of two dynamic social services organizations, New Star and Sertoma Centre combining over 125 years of expertise in providing cutting-edge, person-first services. Our united commitment is straightforward: to transform lives through delivering comprehensive services, choices, and opportunities to those we support in an environment that promotes self-advocacy and personal success. By joining the Sertoma Star Team you will have a unique opportunity to challenge limits and change lives. Together, we can shape a brighter future for those we serve.

Direct Support Professional

• Department: Community Day Services
• Status: Full-time
• Location: Chicago Heights

Your Role

Direct Support Professionals play a vital role in Sertoma\'s Community Day Services by providing hands-on support, encouragement, and training. You\'ll work alongside consumers to build skills, foster independence, and create opportunities for meaningful participation in daily life and the broader community.

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.
• Provide 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.
• Assess 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.

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.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• 13 Paid holidays
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
• Employer Paid Insurance: Basic Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) with company match
• Tuition assistance
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Ongoing training and development opportunities

Health, Safety, and Culture

Sertoma Star is an equal opportunity employer that embraces the uniqueness of every person. Sertoma understands that in order for you to work effectively and be an advocate of inclusivity, we must foster an environment that is respectful and sensitive to persons of all gender identities and from every cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial background. Our open-door, team-building concept supports both agency goals and employee success.