PURPOSE:

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for providing direct services for children, adults and seniors who reside at Little City to ensure they are healthy, safe and are learning skills, which will enable them to be contributing members of their home and local community. The DSP utilizes Active Engagement techniques to assist individuals with completing personal tasks, maintaining a clean living environment and assists them as needed while they are in the community. The DSP completes documentation of each person’s progress toward their written objectives per direction from the Quality of Life Coordinator (QLC).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

Provides Active Engagement in the home and community by using the techniques. Implements and documents each person’s progress toward each formal and informal goals and objectives as outlined in each person’s Individual Service Plan (ISP). Implements each person’s self-medication plan as outlined in the ISP. Ensures each person is receiving well-balanced nutritional meals. Ensures each person completes their personal hygiene and grooming tasks and provides additional assistance as needed. Ensures that each person is dressed appropriately according to weather conditions. Provides opportunities for people to make personal decisions and assume responsibility for their daily affairs. Provides opportunities for people to be able to learn to cook and clean in their own home environment. Encourages people to participate in activities including recreational and Special Olympics events. Resolves conflicts between person’s within the home environment. Transports individuals in a Pace or Little City van and accompanies them to necessary appointments and community outings, including shopping for groceries, personal items and participation in recreational activities, religious services and Special Olympic Events. Accepts responsibility as a Mandated Reporter per State guidelines. Immediately reports all allegations of Abuse or Neglect to his or her immediate supervisor. Follows policies and procedures in reporting problems or emergencies. Maintains an awareness of all safety activities in the home. Immediately reports all accidents and safety hazards to his or her immediate supervisor. Maintains adequate housekeeping standards, performs housekeeping duties as directed by management staff, and reports maintenance problems to management staff , writes work orders and submits them to his/her immediate supervisor. Follows procedures as outlined in the Emergency Preparedness Plan. Participates in the completion of assessment tools, i.e. ICAP, Risk Assessment, etc. Participates in ISP Meetings as needed. Attends Home Team meetings as scheduled and participates in problem-solving and decision-making in matters related to the home. Demonstrates a respectful attitude toward people who live in the home and their property. Offers other staff assistance as needed as well as a positive supportive attitude. Accounts for money spent with receipt/change submitted to the Supervisor or Program Manager. Communicates pertinent information verbally and in writing to relief staff. Completes shift responsibilities as directed by the Supervisor within time frames allotted. Actively engages in professional development activities in order to increase and improve knowledge of current trends, including participation in in-services and reviews of literature and research. Maintains annual certification in First Aid and CPR. Successfully completes Little City Foundation required training, re-training, and any additional training as required by Little City Foundation policies and practices, or as assigned by his or her immediate supervisor. Successfully completes the Medication Administration Training and maintains the ability to pass medications. Successfully complete and maintain the PACE certification process.