Direct support specialist job description

Urban League of Rochester is looking for dedicated individuals that want to make a difference in another person's daily activities with Developmental Disabilities. FULL TIME/PART TIME available: Full time is 30+ hours, Part-time is equal to 20 hours with a minimum of 17.5 billable client service hours in specific programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:


1. Assist in evaluating present skills of a developmentally disabled resident


2. Assist in writing personal goals and objectives in an Individual Program Plan


3. Provide each developmentally disabled resident with training and supervision in the following appropriate areas: daily living skills, budgeting, and money management, meal planning and preparation, shopping for groceries and other items, housekeeping, leisure time activities, appearance and personal hygiene, travel training, interpersonal and communication skills


4. Keep written documentation of each resident's progress through daily progress notes


5. Assist with the maintenance, safety, and security of the facility


6. Assist residents in obtaining recommended services by making referrals, coordinating services with other agencies, and helping make transportation arrangements


7. Complete other duties as assigned by the Residence Manager/Case Manager and the Administrative Coordinator


8. Perform such duties as the supervisor may assign


9. Attend/support Urban League of Rochester events and fundraising functions, specifically ULR Membership Drive and United Way Campaign


Requirements


+ Associate’s degree preferred High School diploma or GED considered with equivalent experience


+ Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.


+ Preference will be given to those with relevant education and/or experience with developmental disabilities. Knowledge of good daily living skills.


+ Ability to relate to and empathize with the Urban League of Rochester clients and issues relating to clients


Equal Opportunity Employer: The Urban League of Rochester is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, ability, age, or veteran status.

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do. We are seeking Caregiver to join our team at our program in the state of Tennessee. If you are a Direct Support Professional, Direct Care Worker, Home Health aide or always wanted to be one, this is the opportunity for you as we are hiring immediately!
No experience required- we provide PAID training.

Earn $13.80/hour- We Offer Daily Pay

Position Description

Our ideal Caregiver candidate will have a strong desire to create long-term impacts on their individuals lives and enjoy encouraging, mentoring, and coaching others to achieve their goals. Spend your day in a variety of settings making memories with our individuals. By following the Individual Support Plan, you can enjoy your days at the park and sensory gardens, while working on social and communication skills. Enhancing independence by assisting with daily hygiene and personal care. Foster a true sense of pride in your individual, by teaching them to navigate daily living activities, such as housekeeping and laundry.

BENEFITS

Merakey offers competitive compensation plans, Work/Life balance, flexible schedules, cell phone discount plan, employee referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement and much more!

To be the difference in a child's life, apply today at: www.Merakey.org/careers

ECF and ECF Choices Services help people gain as much independence as possible. People are supported to live with their family or in the community, not in an institution. Employment and Community First CHOICES can help the person explore the possibility of working. Services can also help people learn skills for work, find a job, and keep a job. This could be a part-time job, a full-time job or self-employment. Working helps people earn money, learn new skills, meet new people, and play an important role in their communities. Work can also help people stay healthy and build self-confidence. Other services help people learn and do things at home and in the community that help people achieve their goals. If a person lives at home with their family, the services help the family support the person to become as independent as possible. Services also help people get actively involved in their communities and include peer supports for the person and for their family

ABOUT MERAKEY

Merakey is a leading developmental, behavioral health, and education non-profit provider with a fifty-year history. We offer a breadth of integrated services to individuals and communities across the country. Our belief that every individual has the right to achieve growth, dignity, and fulfillment guides all of our decisions. At Merakey, we care about each other and are committed to providing the very best care to those we serve. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

* Reliable Transportation
* Age 18 or older

The Direct Support Specialist (DSS) provides supervision and oversight to the individuals residing in specialized OPWDD IRA residences who demonstrate as High Risk. High Risk is defined as those individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system, or have the potential to become involved, and are at risk for reoffending while residing in a community based setting, without specialized supports and services in place. The DSS will provide support and services to these individuals based on person centered life plans, work collaboratively with the Direct Support Professionals and as a liaison to the clinical and management team members to address psychiatric and behavioral episodes. Further, the DSS will assist in ensuring behavioral support plans are followed and required documentation is completed as assigned. This team member will assist the Residence Supervisor in implementing agency policies and procedures.
Responsibilities
Essential Job Functions
Works with the people we support to help them identify and realize their personal life goals
Ensures fire safety equipment is in working condition and teaches individuals to utilize this equipment
Teaches individuals who to contact for emergencies including, but not limited to, medical, psychiatric, fire, lack of food, etc.
Conducts direct observations of behavior, review of records/behavioral data, and verbal/written input from team members
Assists individuals in utilizing community/neighborhood services
Acts as a liaison between individuals, and various treatment team members
Teaches independent living skills necessary to sustain individuals in the community
Develops Staff Action Plans/Residential Habilitation Plans in conjunction with the individuals and their treatment teams; encourages follow through on all goals
Encourages and supports individuals to maintain psychiatric stability through counseling, crisis intervention, attending a daytime activity, participating in treatment, and utilizing other available resources
Assists individuals in complying with requirements of treatment such as legal mandates and conditions of parole or probation
Completes reports and documentation in a timely manner. Reviews documentation completed by Direct Support Professionals and assists in validation and follow up as required to ensure completion within required parameters
Assists the management team in ensuring all team members are trained on program specific documentation and treatment plans, while providing guidance and role modeling of same
Attends and participates in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings, case review meetings, and all other team meetings as assigned
Duties and Responsibilities
Adhere to the organizations Code of Ethics
Always communicate in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community
Complete all required trainings and certifications and stay in compliance
Maintain confidentiality
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Education, Work Experience, and Competencies
18 years of age or older & High School or equivalent are the minimum job requirements
Experience working with individuals with forensic histories, diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders preferred
Valid NYS driver's license and satisfy criteria to be a driver for the organization
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential
No convictions for crimes that preclude a person from working with members of a vulnerable population
Physical Demands
Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours)
Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
Employee is required to reach with hands and arms
Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed
Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time