Empowerment-Focused Direct Support Specialist

Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas; Woodbridge (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Volunteers of America Chesapeake (VOAC) Direct Support Professionals help individuals in VOAC-operated homes learn daily living skills and maintain safety and well-being according to VOAC policies.

You will support independent living, assist with meals and daily tasks, and help with community integration while documenting progress and participating in trainings and meetings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED (or IEP) required.
• At least 1 year of experience in intellectual/developmental disabilities field.
• Medication Administration Certification is preferred, but may be required by the end of the introductory period.
• Must pass state trainings and CMS/government trainings.
• Computer skills required for documentation.
• Written and verbal communication skills must be clear and professional.
• Must pass state background checks and drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to meet needs identified by the IDT.
• Communicates with families, IDT members, and other providers as appropriate.
• Instructs, supports and participates in household tasks (cleaning, meals, shopping) as identified in ISP.
• Assists with developing daily living skills and health care needs.
• Assists with grooming and personal care routines.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Problem Solving

Bilingual

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are responsible for supporting activities of people enrolled in programs and living in homes operated by Volunteers of America Chesapeake (VOAC). DSPs will teach independent living skills to the people and provide support with all activities of daily living. Additionally, the DSP will facilitate community integration, maintain the person’s safety and well-being in accordance with the Scope of Work and VOAC policies and procedures while contributing to the upkeep of the program environments.

Principle Activities

• Provides support for people as necessary to ensure needs as identified by the Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT) are met.
• Communicates with families, members of the IDT, the person’s day program and other providers of services and supports as necessary and appropriate.
• Instructs, supports and participates in performing household tasks with people such as cleaning, preparing meals, food shopping, etc. as identified in the ISP.
• Assists people in developing daily living skills by identifying and meeting social, environmental and health care needs.
• Assists people in their daily grooming and personal care routines.
• Implements Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention responses as trained and specified in the person’s Behavior Support Plan and ISP.
• Responds, as trained and instructed in emergency medical situations.
• Performs crisis intervention as trained and provides assistance as needed.
• Actively plans, coordinates and participates with people in social activities including frequent community outings.
• Transports people and/or provides mobility training to assist people to go on appointments, community rehabilitation programs, grocery shopping, etc.
• Documents activities and behaviors of people in files as designated, on data sheets, in log books, and various other forms as required. (This may also include the use of electronic records.)
• Prepares food according to developed menus, menu protocols, peoples’ likes and dislikes and prescribed diet.
• Attends staff meetings, training in-services, house and program meetings as directed.
• Ensures compliance with VOAC program requirements, environment-specific rules as well as those regulations from all monitoring entities.
• Inspects the home/program environments and reports repairs and maintenance as needed.
• Ensures fire and other safety procedures are carried out as directed -- including participation in routine fire drills and emergency drills.
• Checks for proper sanitation and security conditions within the home/program environment.
• Notifies supervisor and monitors activities of visitors to the home/program environment.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of VOAC policies and procedures.
• Understands role as a mandated reporter of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  
  

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Min of a high school diploma, GED, and/or IEP
• (1) yr of exp. working in the field of intellectual/developmental. Exceptions may be made for less than 1 year experience to include enhanced supervision of the DSP by the Qualified Professional until the year is obtained.
• Medication Administration Certification is preferred, but may be required by the end of the introductory period.
• Must pass All state required trainings and new hire orientation classes. Must maintain current certifications and trainings required by CMS or relevant governmental entities.
• Computer skills required for documentation.
• Written and verbal communication skills must be clear and professional.
• Problem Solving
• Pass relevant local and state background checks and drug testing requirements
• Bilingual in any language a plus
  
  

Preferred Selection May Be Given To Persons Who Have

• Experience in a residential setting serving people with intellectual/developmental disabilities or with other types of special needs populations (rehabilitation settings, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, other behavioral health settings, etc.);
• Experience in working with people who are medically fragile and/or have physical limitations;
• Note: All employees must maintain all on-going training, certifications, and be otherwise compliant and in good standing with all program requirements as a condition of continued employment.
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, people and program supplies as necessary.
• The ability to operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movement.
• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.
• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities, and operate office equipment.
• The physical ability to move and lift light objects up to 30 pounds such as mail, supplies, files, and equipment.
• The physical ability to lift, transfer, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• The physical ability to lift, transfer, carry, push, pull a person served when required through routine assistance or during an emergency.
  
  

Effect On End Result

• To ensure needs of persons served as identified by the IDT are met and satisfaction of the person is achieved.
• To ensure that the program is operated in compliance with the Scope of Work, VOAC policies and procedures and licensing and all Medicaid (ICF, Waiver, and other) regulations.