Direct Support Specialist -FT 31h

Journey Found; Burnside (CT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

AD&D

Flexible spending accounts

Dependent care accounts

403(b) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Journey Found is seeking a Direct Support Specialist to help people in our Connecticut group homes. You will assist with daily living activities, transportation, community outings, medication administration, and documentation.

The role emphasizes respectful communication, teamwork, and proactive behavior management. Qualified applicants will have a high school diploma, at least three years of driving experience, and training in behavior management.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• 3+ years driving experience with a valid license.
• Experience or training in behavior management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must complete DDS Medication Administration Program (MAP) during employment.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals with activities of daily living (dressing, cooking, cleaning, bathing, toileting).
• Provide transportation for clients to appointments and activities.
• Organize activities and community outings for residents.
• Administer medications as trained.
• Attend doctors’ appointments with residents and document data.
• Record Program Data accurately and timely.
• Teach and engage individuals in daily routines.
• Assist in decision-making processes for residents.
• Shop for groceries and run errands as needed.
• Deescalate situations and manage challenging behaviors.
• Collaborate with Nurses, Clinical Staff, Directors and Supervisors.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Teamwork

Driver's license

Behavior management

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

MAP training

Job description

SCHEDULE: Saturday 9a-9p, Sunday 7a-4p, Friday 1:30p-11:30pAre you interested in helping others? Compassionate, empathetic, and caring? Then this might be a great opportunity for you! We are currently looking for a Direct Support Specialist to help the people we are supporting in our group homes.The mission of Journey Found Inc. is to provide behavioral, residential, and other support services to individuals of Connecticut with Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities to enable them to become all they are capable of being.Fundamental functions of the position:• Supporting individuals with activities of daily living (getting dressed, cooking, cleaning, bathing, toileting etc.)• Transporting people• Organizing activities and community outings• Medication administration• Doctors’ appointments• Documenting Program Data• Teaching and engaging• Implementing good routines• Helping in decision making process• Grocery shopping and running errands• Deescalating situations and managing behaviors• Workings as part of a collective team• Communicating professionally with Nurses, Clinical Staff, Directors and SupervisorsWe offer a rich benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, flexible spending accounts, dependent care accounts, and 403-(b) plan, tuition reimbursement and more for full time employees.We provide state-of-the-art training in areas such as person centered planning/thinking, CPR/first aid, human rights, compliance/HIPAA, work-place safety/OSHA and medication administration.Experience preferred but not necessary-we train exceptional people to provide exceptional care.Requirements:• Must have at least a High School Diploma or its equivalent• Must have at least 3 years driving experience with a valid driver’s license• Behavioral Management Experience and/or formal training• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing• Will be required to be PMT, CPR, FA and complete DDS Medication Administration Program (MAP)• Must be free from communicable diseaseJourney Found, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Journey Found, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The ability to move independently throughout a wide range of environments, some of which may not be wheelchair or otherwise handicapped accessible, is required. Independent transportation to locations that may not be served by public transportation may be necessary. Journey Found will make reasonable accommodations, whenever possible, when needed and/or requested by employees. Requests for accommodations will be honored, unless the accommodation would cause undue hardship on the operation of the program and/or on the organization.