Direct Support Professional - Respite

United Counseling Service; Bennington (VT); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Employer paid life insurance

Employer paid short term and long-term disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Career development opportunities

Free clinical supervision towards licensure

Loan repayment and tuition assistance program

Award winning worksite wellness program

Inclusive workplace

Rewarding experience making a difference in the community

Job summary

A community support organization in Bennington, Vermont, is seeking a Direct Support Professional to provide recreational activities and services to children with mental health needs. This role entails supervision, instruction, and community integration for clients, along with necessary record keeping and collaboration with treatment teams. Candidates should possess a high school diploma and relevant experience working with children. The position offers competitive pay and generous benefits, including medical insurance and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and youth required.
• Relevant experience in the human services field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides recreational activities and services to children.
• Initiates and maintains timely record keeping and documentation.
• Acts as a member of the child's treatment team.
• Provides needed information to other staff and families.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Therapeutic Activities Program Coordinator, the Direct Support Professional - Respite is responsible for performing a variety of tasks for a child who has mental health needs to mitigate the buildup of stressors that put children at risk of more serious difficulties and / or removal from the home. Those tasks are related to the instruction, supervision, and monitoring of individuals’ skills for developing independence and inclusion into the community and improved social skills.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

DIRECT SERVICE: Provides recreational activities and services to children in a respectful, friendly, and professional manner that supports client choice. Responsibilities include facilitating individuals’ inclusion into the community through development and participation of meaningful community-based activities. Provides transportation for children and/or adolescents to and from community-based activities. Provides crisis intervention as directed by the program coordinator or manager. Acts as a role model for the clients and the community, understanding that all interactions are opportunities for teaching. Follows all treatment plans and supporting documents (i.e. behavior, safety, or communication plans). Attends all trainings and other meetings, as assigned. Required to work as a team or within a team of other community support workers to provide programming for clients at the Burgess Road After School Program.

RECORD KEEPING: Initiates and maintains compliance of timely and thorough record keeping and administrative/clinical documentation required to account for services to clients and program requirements. Such work includes, but is not limited to, client-specific assessments, case services, and progress notes, time sheets, schedules, and assigned periodic reports.

NETWORKING: Provides needed information to other staff, professionals, and family in a professional confidential manner. Serves as advocate and/or liaison on behalf of individual served, and UCS. Participates as a problem-solver in “team” and other meetings.

CONSULTATION: Acts as a member of the child's treatment team. Provides consultation/updates to case manager, parents, etc., as needed about child's needs/behavior. May attend treatment team meetings, as needed.

* In addition to the above, performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE/CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

High School Diploma or equivalent. Relevant experience in human services field preferred. Experience working with children and youth required.

LICENSE REQUIRED:

• Valid Driver’s License

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive pay
• Generous paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career development opportunities
• Free clinical supervision towards licensure
• Loan repayment and tuition assistance program
• Award winning worksite wellness program
• An inclusive workplace supported by an active Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee.
• Rewarding experience making a difference in the community.