Direct Support Specialist - PT 8h

Journey Found; Storrs (CT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and Vision

Life and AD&D

401(k)/403(b) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible spending accounts

Dependent care accounts

Job summary

Journey Found, Inc. seeks a Direct Support Specialist to assist residents in our CT group homes, providing daily living support, transportation, medication administration, and activity coordination.

The role emphasizes compassionate care, teamwork with nurses and supervisors, compliant documentation, and training in CPR/FA, MAP, and safety procedures. A HS diploma and driving record are required; we offer a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Required High School diploma or equivalent.
• Behavioral management experience or formal training.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• PMT, CPR, FA certifications and MAP completion required.

Responsibilities

• Assisting individuals with activities of daily living (getting dressed, cooking, cleaning, bathing, toileting).
• Transporting individuals.
• Organizing activities and community outings.
• Medication administration.
• Attending doctors’ appointments and documenting program data.
• Teaching and engaging individuals and implementing routines.
• Supporting decision making and grocery shopping.
• Deescalating situations and managing behaviors within a team setting.
• Communicating professionally with Nurses, Clinical Staff, Directors and Supervisors.

Skills

Behavioral management experience

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

DDS Medication Administration Program (MAP) training

PMT/CPR/FA certifications

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: 163A Courtyard - Storrs, CT 06268

Salary Range: $20.85 Hourly

SCHEDULE: Sat 8a-4p

Are 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 Supervisors

We 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 disease

Journey 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.