23 Oct
Direct Service Provider
Alaska, Southeast alaska , 99801 Southeast alaska USA

Vacancy expired!

Come be part of the REACH community family! REACH is currently offering a sign on bonus for DSP's Apply through the REACH website at www.reachak.org

The Direct Service Professional (DSP) provides person-centered assistance, based on the individual’s goals, needs and interests. The DSP has the primary REACH role in providing assistance to children and/or adults experiencing developmental disabilities. Areas of support include, but are not limited to, daily living skills, household management, building/maintaining relationships, communication, supported employment, health/dental/wellness, and self-advocacy with the goal of working toward increasing levels of independence. Responsibilities may include assistance with personal care and hygiene.

Essential Functions of the Position:

Individual Care Responsibilities

Household Management: Assist the individual served with household management (i.e. shopping, meal preparation, laundry, cleaning and decorating), budgeting/money management and transportation to maximize the individual’s skills, abilities and independence.

Health, Dental and Wellness: Promote the health and well-being of the individual through health and dental maintenance and prevention strategies, accurate medication assistance, knowledge of general health and safety rules and first aid and emergency procedures. Promote routine, preventative dental care practices to ensure healthy teeth and gums; and help to prevent common problems associated with dental neglect including bad breath, tooth decay, dental cavities, and gum disease. Assistance with personal hygiene may include showering, toileting, etc.

Individual Empowerment: Enhance the individual’s ability to lead a self-determining life by providing the support and information necessary to build self-esteem, assertiveness and independence.

Relationship Building: Develop relationship with individual that promotes individual growth and progress. Assist the individual in building and strengthening skills necessary to develop and maintain friendships and other personal relationships, including family connections and involvement. Adjust support as needed depending on family dynamics and other unique situations.

Crisis Intervention: Match crisis prevention, intervention and solution techniques to particular circumstances and individuals.

Assessment: Respond to the needs, desires and interests of the individuals by using formal and informal assessment tools. Includes knowledge of positive behavioral supports and ability to adjust support and provide accommodations as needed to promote positive social interactions and address challenging behavior.

Community and Services Networking: Assist the individual with accessing formal and informal resources and supports available in the community.

Communication: Use a range of effective communication strategies and skills necessary to establish a collaborative relationship with the individuals supported.

Supported Employment: Assist individuals with identifying employment preferences and pursuing vocational resources or assist with maintaining current employment.

Team Member Responsibilities:

Communication: Follow appropriate channels of written and oral communication as identified in agency policy regarding confidentiality and HIPAA.

Facilitation of Services: Understand the role of the DSP within the plan development, implementation and review process and implement the plan using strategies as appropriate to the individual situations.

Organizational Participation: Know the REACH mission, policies and procedures, understand the DSP role and responsibilities within REACH and represent the organization in a responsible and respectful manner.

Documentation: Complete documentation requirements in a thorough, efficient and timely manner.

Advocacy: Be knowledgeable about the diverse challenges facing individuals and understand the DSP role as an advocate.

Professionalism: Pursue the knowledge and information needed to perform job duties and interact with individuals, their family members and coworkers in a professional manner at all times including establishing healthy boundaries as needed.

Attendance: Attends and participates in meetings, committees and training as assigned.

Position Requirements:

Minimum Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age. High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree in education, special education, psychology, behavior management or a related field preferred. CPR and first aid certificates required within 30 days of hire. TB, fingerprint and background check clearance required. Driving may be a requirement of this position. If driving is required, applicant must have three years of verifiable driving experience, possess a current Alaska Driver’s License and provide agency with proof of current auto insurance coverage and successful state motor vehicle driver’s history report, prior to employment.

Licensure: N/A

Minimum Experience: No experience required although six months of experience (paid or unpaid) providing direct patient/individual care and/or training in a related field of human services; or any combination of education, experience and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential job functions is preferred.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to work independently and use good judgment in a variety of circumstances.

Ability to exercise patience, understanding and concern for the individual’s health, safety, development and

enjoyment of life.

Ability to complete required documentation.

Basic time management skills, including the ability to be on time to scheduled activities.

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Effective problem-solving skills.

Reliability.

Physical Requirements:

Visual acuity necessary to perform job duties throughout the course of a normal workday. Ability to communicate verbally, both in person and over the telephone. Ability to assist residents in bathroom. May require occasional heavy lifting. Occasionally may come in contact with blood borne pathogens.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed at the REACH office, at individual’s home and or at various other sites throughout the community.

Disclaimer:

This Position Description reflects the best efforts of REACH to describe the essential functions and qualifications of the job described. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities, or qualifications of the job.

Vacancy expired!


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