Direct Support Professional (Jasper County)

Sertoma Star Services; Rensselaer (IN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

13 paid holidays per year

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

Reimbursement for conferences and seminars

Job summary

Sertoma Star Services seeks a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to support individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Northwest Indiana. With a focus on person-centered care, the DSP facilitates independence, communication, and participation in the community while documenting support and advocacy efforts. This role offers a full-time or part-time opportunity with extensive benefits, including generous paid time off, insurance plans, and ongoing training. Join us to empower lives and foster inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Good communication skills required.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Experience with individuals with disabilities is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Assist consumers in daily living activities and promote independence.
• Document all supports provided, including progress notes.

Skills

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

Education

High School Diploma preferred

Job description

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Northwest Indiana

Department: Indiana Services

Status: Full-time and Part-time

Overview

At Sertoma Star Services, we are 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 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.

Your Role

As a Direct Support Professional (DSP), you will provide support and supervision to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the community based setting. You will be responsible for providing person centered supports to ensure consumers can live their best life in their home and community.

Job Summary

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, although other duties may be assigned to meet Agency and family needs:

• 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 Person-Centered Individual Service Plan.
• Provides support and training to consumers by completing tasks with the consumer instead of for the consumer.
• Provides support to complete all hygiene and grooming needs and training to support the consumer in understanding the importance of these tasks.
• Provides support to complete all dressing needs and training to support the consumer in understanding clothing that is appropriate for the weather.
• Provides support to ensure the consumer’s home is free from debris, clean and safe from hazards and training to support the consumer in understanding the importance of a clean and safe home.
• Provides support to consumers to make healthy choices when determining their meals and provides support and training while preparing meals, as needed, to ensure that meals meet any high risk plans and that kitchen safety is followed.
• Provides support and training on medication administration needs to each consumer according to agency policies and procedures.
• Provides opportunities for consumers to learn about medical providers and allows consumers to make informed choices about providers and services that they receive.
• Advocates for consumers wants and needs and helps them advocate for themselves, as requested.
• Supports consumers to participate fully in their community.
• Promotes community inclusion by assisting consumers in developing natural supports.
• Allows consumers to make choices throughout their daily life by providing opportunities and encouragement to learn problem solving skills, consequences and how to take responsibility for choices.
• Assesses 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, Medication Administration Records, incident reports, and injury/illness reports.
• Works cooperatively with all staff, outside providers, and family members/guardians to ensure high quality services.
• Follows all agency Policies and Procedures.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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 preferred
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and meet agency driving requirements when required to provide transportation

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• 13 paid holidays per year
• 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
• Reimbursement for conferences and seminars
• Access to the Alsip Park District Fitness Center for $10.00 per month

Health, Safety, and Culture

New Star is an equal opportunity employer that embraces the uniqueness of every person. New Star 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.