Direct Support Professional

Non-Exempt (Hourly) Position                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Reports to Home Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Eligible to legally work in the US

Minimum 18 years of age

Meet the qualifications of a driver as established by our insurance carrier and Pacesetters policy

Computer skills

Proof of Education (minimum High School Diploma, High School Equivalency, GED or proof actively enrolled)

Pass DIDD background checks

Clear tuberculosis screening/test

Electronic/direct deposit

Ability to pass & maintain required training such as CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration (4 days), DIDD required computer training  & Positive Behavioral Support Training

Plus additional qualifications of:

Successful completion of 90-day probationary period or any specified extended probation

Successful completion of all required training (2 days of New Hire Orientation & in-county training,)

Completion of all required new hire documentation (directs deposit established, proof of education, original SS card received, correct name and address on DL and SS card, etc.)

Job Summary

Direct Support Professionals (DSP) provides services to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.  Our mission is to empower and support people with disabilities and their families to live enriched and fulfilled lives.  Depending on the needs of the persons supported, the DSP assists individuals to become more integrated in their communities by maximizing the person’s strengths, interests and abilities. The aim is for the person to direct their own activities that create a meaningful life including contributing to the community and developing relationships.  Support may occur in a variety of settings and may include providing personal care, assistance with daily living activities, job coaching, teaching/developing skills, advocating with the individual, assisting in communication and self-expression, and ultimately supporting the individual in meeting his or her own goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Pacesetters, Inc. has an uncompromising commitment to quality and integrity.  Employees are expected to perform their duties and responsibilities to our high standard of quality. Some of the duties and responsibilities vary in intensity and frequency depending on the assignment.

Advocacy---Assists persons supported with achieving personal goals, works on behalf of persons supported to overcome barriers, helps persons supported participate in activities of their choice, respects persons supported personal beliefs, choices, and interests

Health Maintenance---Provides care and assistance to promote good health, helps persons supported receive medical care and communicates with medical professionals, administers medications according to physician instructions, records information regarding health events, conditions, and status, provides First Aid/CPR and seeks emergency medical care when needed

Personal Care---Support individuals with their personal care such as eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, and toileting, assists with their mobility including lifting them from a seated or lying down position, supporting  them to walk and maintain stability

Living Skills Development---Helps develop living skills such as cooking, money management, household shopping, doing laundry, personal hygiene, etc., teaches work-related skills and job preparedness, supports persons supported in job search process and maintaining job performance, records progress on skill development and achievement

Behavior Development---Serves as a role model and mentor demonstrating the desired behaviors, coaches persons supported using approved techniques and strategies, uses approved physical intervention techniques when necessary to protect persons supported and others

Operational Support---Maintains cleanliness of program, drives company vehicle safely and conscientiously to transport persons supported to activities, completes tasks that are beyond the persons supported ability, follows policies and procedures for handling money

Professional Behavior---Acts in a professional manner and communicates effectively with others, completes training programs, attends required meetings.  Pacesetters expects staff to effectively follow the 10 Basic Performance Standards:  1)Speak to all people politely, 2)Include people in conversations, speak with them, not about them, 3)Use positive verbal & non-verbal communication, avoid being negative, 4)Explain things in ways that people can understand and observe how the information is received, 5)Encourage people to think by asking questions rather than giving commands, 6)Teach people who receive supports to do as much as possible for themselves rather than doing for them, 7)Include people in making decisions, provide choices when necessary and try not to be bossy, 8)Respect differences and the person’s desires, needs and values, 9)Consider a person’s feelings and concerns even if neither seem important to you and 10)Listen to other people’s point of view if involved in a disagreement.  If you are upset, don’t allow it to affect your behavior.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

Because of the established duties and responsibilities of  those in direct care, applicants must be able to: 1) lift more than 50 lbs., 2) push/pull heavy loads (i.e., wheelchairs), walk, bend, squat, turn in the knees/ back/wrists/and shoulders, and grasp with both hands, 3) see (20/40)  and hear (40 decibels) with or without correction, 4) drive motor vehicles, 5) speak, read, and write English, 6) complete all required training and pass tests to meet competency requirements, 7) pass a TB skin test/TB Risk Assessment, and 8) pass a drug screen and background checks.  See below Essential Job Functions that direct care requires.

Working Conditions

While working as a Direct Support Professional, employees may be required to deal with the following conditions: 1) unconventional schedules- programs and services operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 2) possible exposure to blood borne pathogens, and 3) possible exposure to profanity, violent, and/or offensive behavior from persons supported with aggressive behavior.