Direct Support Professional (DSP) - Wauwatosa

Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin is seeking a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for our Adult Day Center in the Milwaukee area. The role involves assisting participants with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and coordinating group and individual tasks to maintain a safe, supportive environment.

The full-time DSP position runs Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–3:30 PM in Wauwatosa. You will work with the Adult Day Care Supervisor to implement engaging activities, assist with transports, and ensure infection

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or HSED required.
• Current CPR, First Aid, CPI, and/or Universal Precautions training/license preferred.
• Successful physical examination/TB test required.
• Valid driver’s license with proof of insurance preferred; no more than 20% non-drivers.
• Criminal Background Check must meet WI licensure requirements for day programming.

Responsibilities

• Assist participants with ADLs (toileting, bathing, ambulating, transfers, feeding, changing clothes).
• Provide engaging program activities including community outings, sports, recreation, and educational enrichment.
• Ensure participant safety by monitoring activities and maintaining a sanitary environment.
• Report illness or suspected abuse per policies; assist if participants become ill.
• Prepare, serve, and oversee daily snacks and lunches.
• Maintain supplies and equipment; use assistive devices and safe lifting when transporting participants.

Skills

CPR

First Aid

CPI

Universal Precautions

Driver's license

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to swim

Safe lifting techniques

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma/GED/HSED

Job description

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for assisting participants with Activities of Daily Living (ADL's), including group and individual tasks, while maintaining a safe, supportive and comfortable program environment.

We are looking to hire a full-time DSP for our Adult Day Center in Wauwatosa to work Mondays - Fridays, from 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (FUNCTIONS) include the following:

• Interacts with participants in a respectful, age-appropriate, and culturally-appropriate manner by honoring participant preferences and requests, in conjunction with behavior plans and care information.
• Works cooperatively with Adult Day Care Supervisor to provide interesting and stimulating program activities that are appropriate for most participants, which include community outings (i.e., planning, accompanying, transporting), sports, recreation, exercise, and educational enrichment.
• Supports participants with ADLs (toileting, bathing, ambulating, transfers, feeding, changing clothes, etc.).
• Cleans up spills/bodily fluids using appropriate infection control procedures.
• Reports all possible cases of illness to Adult Day Care Supervisor, and provides assistance to participants that become ill while at the center.
• Ensures the safety of each participant by monitoring activities, maintaining a sanitary, clutter-free environment, and participating in safety training and emergency drills.
• Reports suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of participants immediately per program and agency policies and procedures.
• Prepares, serves, and oversees feeding activities for daily snacks and lunches.
• Maintains program areas, supplies, and equipment ensuring that they are clean/disinfected stocked/replenished, and in good working order daily.
• Employs assistive equipment and practices throughout the day when transporting, lifting, and working with participants.
• Stays abreast of emergency procedures and/or updates for each program scenario to ensure awareness of protocols in the event of an emergency.
• Engages in assigned professional development and training.
• Participates in assigned meetings, professional development, and training as required.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides input and support to the Adult Day Care Supervisor, which includes completing daily/weekly record keeping and other administrative duties as assigned (attendance, case notes, etc.).
• Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team, providing appropriate information for participant's plan of care.
• Accompanies participants into the swimming pool, as assigned.
• Performs other duties (or functions) as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma, GED, or HSED required.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience working with individuals with disabilities in a health care or social service setting required.
• Current CPR, First Aid, CPI, and/or Universal Precautions training/license preferred.
• Successful physical examination/TB test required.
• Valid driver's license with proof of insurance preferred. No more than 20% of employees in this position (at each location) can be non-drivers.
• A Criminal Background Check must meet the requirements of the State of WI licensure for day programming.

Specialized Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:

• Ability to work effectively with other agency staff, family members of those served and the community at large.
• Able to exercise appropriate personal care techniques.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Knowledge of Universal Precautions and infection control procedures.
• Ability to swim (for Kenosha location).
• Ability to exercise safe lifting techniques and operate a mechanical lift and durable medical equipment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Awareness of disability issues and geriatrics.
• Ability to interact with people from culturally diverse backgrounds and display strong customer relation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to problem-solve issues.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Must be organized and able to handle multiple tasks.
• Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines.
• Must exercise sound judgment in making decisions and act accordingly.

EQUIPMENT USED/MACHINERY REQUIRED TO OPERATE:

• Adaptive physical education equipment
• Standard medical equipment used in rehabilitation or adult daycare centers
• Various types of mechanical lifts
• Telephone
• Copier
• Computer
• Fax
• Operate a motor vehicle safely
• Durable Medical Equipment (as required)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• May be required to lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, kneeling and reaching.
• Perform 1 to 2 person transfers from chair to toilet and back; from floor to chair and back.
• May be required to drive, and transport clients, which includes assisting individuals in and out of vehicles.
• Will be exposed to loud/noisy environments.