Direct Support Specialist - Addictions Residential

Seven Counties Services; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Seven Counties Services in Louisville, KY is seeking a direct support/behavioral health role to teach daily living skills, model recovery strategies, and facilitate community activities. You will collaborate with care teams to promote independence and wellbeing for clients with mental health or related needs.

Responsibilities include providing transportation, practicing de‑escalation, documenting care, and supporting staff through training and meetings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Zero to one year full‑time experience with individuals receiving behavioral health or related services.
• Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals; strong interpersonal relations.

Responsibilities

• Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) and recovery psychoeducation.
• Plans and facilitates community-based activities and access to resources.
• Ensures safety through de-escalation and adheres to program protocols; maintains confidentiality and documentation.
• Provides transportation as needed and supports discharge planning.
• Assists with staff training and attends required meetings and trainings.

Skills

Verbal and nonverbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Teaching skills

Patience and empathy

Maturity and judgment

Nurturing care

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

First Aid and CPR

Job description

Job Description

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) (e. g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, nutrition needs); monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback. Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery (e. g., medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, stress management strategies). Plans and facilitates community-based activities (e. g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization); facilitates access to community resources (e. g., AA/NA meetings, school, job placement). Contributes to safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques. Serves as “ambassador” of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about SCS’s services and programming. Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served (e. g., school, landlord, family, transportation provider, employer). Provides transportation (e. g., driving SCS van or personal vehicle), ensuring adherence to standard safety practices (e. g., driver certification, seat belts, child safety seats); teaches and facilitates use of public transportation systems. Provides personal care, as needed (e. g., personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, safe eating techniques). Administers First Aid and CPR, as needed. Supervises self-administered medication, depending on the specific clinical program’s protocols. Identifies assigned clients’ food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens. Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services, with other SCS staff members and, as authorized, with non-SCS providers, to ensure appropriate level and quality of care. May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program (e. g., food programs, admissions at Crisis Stabilization Unit). Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms (e. g., attendance records, daily logs, shift/progress notes, incident reports, time reports in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards. Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law. Assist with discharge planning as needed. Provide support for additional training needs of direct support staff as needed. Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

EDUCATION

High school diploma or equivalent required.

EXPERIENCE

• Zero to one year full‑time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of a mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disability, or physical health condition.
• Ability to provide nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Teaching skills.
• Patience and empathy.
• Maturity and judgment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS

• Position involves considerable physical exertion, lifting a maximum of 100 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May include frequent lifting of patients.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance.
• Positive driving record.

Time Type: Full time

Seven Counties is the provider of choice for mental and behavior health services in and around the Louisville Metro. Over 1,400 employees work in 25+ locations throughout Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties; making sure that the 31,000 people we serve annually have the best chance of living their best lives. At Seven Counties, we give our staff the opportunity to do what they do best with continued training, effective mentoring and competitive salaries and benefits. In an effort to protect our employees, clients and community, we require the COVID and Influenza vaccinations for all employees.