Direct Support Professional

Primary Role Responsibilities:
The following major functions describe the essential duties of this job classification. Individual positions may not perform all tasks; or may perform additional tasks not listed here, depending on the assigned site.

• Fosters an environment where individuals may develop to the best of their potential.
• Demonstrates an interest in and empathy for the individuals served.
• Demonstrates the ability to assume primary responsibility for individual's direct care needs while maintaining the individual's rights, privacy, and protection.
• Supervises, trains, and/or assists individuals in accordance with person-centered plans, Individual Support Plans, including personal care (i.e., toileting, bathing, etc.), recreation, and reinforcement of individual habilitation objectives.
• Demonstrates willingness to accept supervision.
• Participates in active treatment with individuals on an ongoing basis.
• Ensures that individual's personal property and adaptive equipment are kept clean and in good order (i.e., wheelchairs, clothing, living space, etc.).
• Administers and documents routine medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians and/or health care professionals, following required training.
• Conducts and documents social skill building and behavior management programs.
• Assists with individuals in management of personal funds as indicated in the money management plan.
• May assist with planning, scheduling and safely transporting individuals to work, appointments, and community activities.
• May assist in maintaining New Hope vehicles including cleaning, reporting repair needs and documentation.
• Assists individuals with meal preparation and encourages good nutritional habits and follows prescribed diets.
• Accurately completes necessary documentation and communication to ensure the quality of individual care and effective operation of the site.
• Serves as a community connector, attempting to connect each individual with as many naturally occurring supports within the community as possible (i.e., neighbors, friends, co-workers, family members, etc.).
• Responds to emergency situations (i.e., fire, individual injury, individual health, weather, and home emergencies).
• Adheres to agency policies and procedures and the philosophy of New Hope of Indiana.
• Maintains favorable working relationships with individuals, associates, families, and the community and a willingness to accept supervision.
• Initiates and maintains timely, effective and productive communication with supervisory personnel.
• Attends required training programs and/or certifications (i.e., Orientation, OSHA, CPR, TB, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education or Experience:
Education

• Basic
• High School diploma

• Preferred
• Some college courses completed

Experience

• None required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Special Training, Licensure or Credentialing

• Must be able to demonstrate six (6) months of consistent work and/or volunteer experience, internship, especially working with disabled.
• Intermediate computer skills.
• Must possess a valid Indiana Operators License and maintain an acceptable driving record as defined in New Hope policy and procedures.
• Must have reliable transportation and be willing to use personal vehicle as needed to transport individuals.
• Must maintain and have proof of current auto insurance.

Personal Skills and Aptitudes

• Must be able to read, speak and communicate effectively to be understood by individuals who have communication differences and by associates with whom they may communicate.
• Must demonstrate basic competency in the use of the desk or laptop computers (primarily email, electronic training modules, and the electronic medical record) to document all required forms, to follow oral or written instructions, or to access all company information.

Work Schedule and Location

• Must be willing to work according to specific program needs (may include flexible hours, including evenings, nights and weekends).
• Must be willing to change work location based on individual and/or program needs.

Job Type: Full-time