Part-time Direct Support Professional

Heart Havens, Inc.; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Heart Havens, Inc. is seeking a compassionate Full-Time Direct Support Professional to join our Macleigh & Post Oak homes in VA Beach, Virginia.

The DSP will empower adults with developmental disabilities to live fulfilling, independent lives while supporting daily activities and community engagement. The role emphasizes teamwork, empathy, and strict adherence to health protocols, documentation, and medication administration, with opportunities to help residents plan activities and participate

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• 6 months’ previous direct support experience required.
• 1-year prior direct support experience in a DD residential group home preferred, or a combination of experience and certifications with 2+ years in DD residential care.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to residents as outlined in ISPs, Residential Plans for Supports, and related plans.
• Understands and supports residents according to Health protocols and related instructions.
• Provides supervision so residents are never left alone in the home or community.
• Supports residents with Activities of Daily Living to the level needed for success.
• Encourages residents to engage with others, increase independence, and participate in meaningful activities.
• Administers medications according to procedures and the 6 Rights of Medication Administration.
• Completes accurate daily documentation including ISP Notes and T-Logs.
• Maintains confidentiality of personal and health information.
• Observes health changes and notifies leadership with appropriate documentation.

Skills

Follow service requirements

Team oriented

Time management

Resident interaction

Documentation

Health and safety

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Heart Havens seeks a caring Full-Time Direct Support Professional to work at our Macleigh & Post Oak homes in VA Beach, Virginia who embrace our mission of empowerment and share our values of accountability, integrity, respect, and empathy.

We're looking for people who will encourage the people we support to be true members of their communities by helping them connect to community resources and events and motivate them to try new things. At every level of our organization, we look for people who think creatively, are team players, have strong attention to detail, and are passionate about providing inclusive communities for people with a developmental disability.

As a FT- DSP, you'll empower adults with a developmental disability to live full, vibrant, and happy lives. While you'll provide support for everyday activities, such as meal preparation, you'll also support people as they plan for bigger events, such as trips. You'll support people as they discover what they're passionate about and pursue their dreams. One thing's for sure: every day with Heart Havens is different!

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED preferred. 6 months’ previous direct support experience required. 1-year previous direct support experience in a DD residential group home setting preferred, or a combination of experience and certifications with a minimum of two years in DD residential with a consistent job history.

Qualifications and Expectations:

Physical Requirements:

• May require driving up to 8 hours
• May require frequent bending, stooping, squatting, reaching and walking
• May require standing up for up to 8 hours
• May require lifting at times, up to 25 pounds

Required Skills:

• Ability to understand and follow service requirements
• Ability to participate in a team-oriented work environment
• Ability to manage time to successfully complete job duties
• Ability to interact and communicate with individuals exhibiting a variety of characteristics
• Ability to perform First-Aid, behavior management interventions, and medication management
• Ability to support residents with Activities of Daily Living
• Ability to observe, record and report residents’ behavior, attitude and physical condition
• Ability to write objective and accurate daily notes that capture support offered and given to residents
• Ability to safely operate and maintain adaptive equipment and assistive technology
• Ability to carry out the physical requirements of assisting and lifting individuals, as necessary
• Must understand and respect residents Human Rights and be able treat them with dignity at all times
• Must be able to follow the policies and procedures of Heart Havens to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations
• Must be able to demonstrate abilities that improve or maintain the health and wellness of those they support.
• Must have verbal and written communication skills to maintain effective working relationships with residents, co-workers, and family members
• Must model Heart Havens’ mission and values in daily actions
• Must have proficient typing and computer skills
• Must be able to transport residents in Heart Havens vehicles
• Must maintain required certifications: Therapeutic Options (TOVA), Medication Administration, and First Aid/CPR/AED

Essential Functions:

• Provides support to residents as outlined in their ISPs, Residential Plan for Supports, and other relevant support plans (e.g. Behavior support plan)
• Understands and supports residents according to their Health protocols and Health related support instructions
• Provides residents with appropriate supervision when working in the program and never leaves resident alone in the home or in the community
• Supports residents with their Activities of Daily Living to the level needed for their success
• Encourages residents to engage with others, increase independence, and participate in meaningful activities at home and in the community
• Encourages and support residents’ individual choice in their day-to-day lives and respects their choices
• Administers medications according to organizational procedures and the 6 Rights of Medication Administration
• Uses Customer Service skills when interacting with residents, families, case managers, medical professionals, etc.
• Completes accurate and timely daily documentation to include but not limited to ISP Notes and T-Logs
• Completes daily medication audits, resident checklists, and chore checklists as scheduled
• Maintains information in the individuals records, ensures individuals are treated respectfully and maintains confidentiality regarding personal and health information
• Identifies and responds to changing health conditions of the residents by obtaining immediate care and submitting documentation that reflects that care
• Notifies Program leadership of incidents, behavioral changes, medical updates, and important messages (e.g. phone messages)
• Completes Incident Reports (General Event Reports) in a timely manner and seeks guidance as needed
• Follows meal menus, dietary recommendations, and food preparation orders during meal preparation and documents any menu changes
• Participates in monthly resident meetings as scheduled and provides the opportunity for residents to express choices, share preferences, and communicate their needs
• Follows monthly resident activity calendar and seeks approval from House Coordinator for any changes
• Follows budgetary guidelines set forth by the COO when using Heart Havens funds
• Supports residents with making purchases as approved by the House Coordinator and obtains receipts for transactions
• Reviews monthly staff schedule when posted, consistently works scheduled shifts, and finds coverage for absences
• Consistently attends monthly staff meetings as scheduled by the Assistant Program Manager
• Provides emergency schedule coverage as needed
• Participates in routine emergency drills
• Adheres to Heart Havens policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook, and Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Responds to emergency situations according to policy and procedure
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.