Direct Support Professional Jobs in Sycamore, IL

The Association for Individual Development (AID) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower people with physical, developmental, intellectual, mental health challenges; those who have suffered a trauma; and those at risk, to enjoy lives of dignity and purpose.  We are looking for a Direct Support Professional who demonstrates this mission and wants to work for an organization that makes a difference in the community.

Scheduled Hours: Sun 8am-8pm M, Tues,Thur, Fri 2p-10p

What you will be doing?

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for the   implementation of the client’s Individualized Strategies, under the direction of a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional. The DSP demonstrates this through daily documentation of service provided including but not limited to recreation, leisure, and activities of daily living for each client to whom they are responsible. The DSP will assure client rights, dignity, and privacy, while maintaining a clean and safe environment. The DSP may work with clients with maladaptive behaviors, which can include but are not limited to verbal aggression, physical aggression, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, and elopement. The DSP may also work with clients who require intensive care including but not limited to toileting and bathing, special diets with personal and/or enteral feeding, and enhanced funding. The DSP is assigned to a primary location, however, must be able to work across any site assigned, as determined by program needs. 

Essential Job Responsibilities 

• Maintaining a team approach in working with the clients, staff, and outside agencies. 
• Implementing specific assigned programs from the Individual Plan or Implementation Strategy, and documentation per program procedures. 
• Be familiar with and follow all agency and program rules and regulations. Reports concerns or issues to immediate supervisor without delay.  
• Plan and prepare meals by following menus and recipes written by dietician with client input and assistance; adheres to client diet requirements.  
• Attend to the self-care needs of the clients including but not limited to toileting assistance, changing soiled garments, bathing and grooming, shaving, cleaning glasses and adaptive equipment, etc.  
• Obtain medication administration authorization at a minimum of one (1) location.  
• Maintain medication administration authorization by attending annual training, following all policies and procedures, and minimizing preventable medication errors.  
• Assure safe conditions inside and outside the home including maintenance and housekeeping. This includes but is not limited to reporting environmental safety concerns, entering requests for non-urgent repairs, ensuring bedrooms and décor meet regulatory standards, performing assigned safety drills and monitoring tasks, assisting clients to participate in the upkeep of their homes, etc.  
• Must maintain a clean, sanitary environment, inside and out of all assigned buildings and vehicles, on a daily basis. This includes but is not limited to surface, deep, and sanitizing cleaning tasks as assigned.   
• Must be alert to any emergency situations that may occur and take appropriate action per program and agency policies and procedures. 
• Provide transportation for clients in personal or agency vehicle for work, shopping, appointments, social events, etc. 
• Must have knowledge of client’s medical conditions and be able to monitor and relay information to and from medical appointments. 
• Attend all meetings, shifts, and trainings, as scheduled. 
• Assist in the orientation/training of new staff. 
• Participate in the planning and implementation of community and in-house activities. 
• Conduct monthly client input meetings, facilitate Home and Community Based Settings Rules training activities, and other client meetings as assigned, documenting participation of individuals.  
• Take verbal and written directions and complete job responsibilities with minimal supervision. 
• May be responsible for independent building coverage, including safety and supervision of all clients, per program needs. 
• Working scheduled hours at various locations as determined by client and program needs is required. 
• Complete required training as assigned on or prior to due date to meet licensing and program requirements.  
• Excellent attendance and punctuality as defined by the program guidelines. 
• This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive, and the employee may be asked to perform other reasonably related job duties, as assigned by the supervisor. 
• Maintain all written documentation as required for licensing and program requirements. 
• Demonstrates understanding of Home and Community Based Settings Rules and applies principles to client, family, and stakeholder interactions.  
• Be familiar with all applicable regulations (CARF, DMH, DHS, DPH, etc.) 

What will we provide Full Time employees. Benefits_Summary.pdf 

• 21 Days of Paid Time Off plus 10 Paid Holidays 
• Paid training
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, Critical Illness and accident insurance
• 401K with a 3.5% company contribution after one year.

What will you bring to the table?

Education: High School Diploma or GED.  

License/certifications:  CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) or Autism Certificate desired.  

Experience: Experience working with developmentally disabled adults preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Climb stairs daily 
• No medical restrictions which would prohibit implementation of a lift/transfer or implementation of behavioral programs. 
• Push, pull, reach, stoop/bend over and use step stool daily 
• Perform daily housekeeping tasks and assist clients in independent living skills. 
• Physically assist clients in situations including, but not limited to: getting in and out of van, bathtub, shower, or bed regularly 
• Implement behavior support strategies and respond to emergency behavioral issues. 
• Requires significant walking and standing on a daily basis. 

Equipment:  

• Computer and software including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams; Zoom platform and application; Internet browser and Microsoft SharePoint platform. 
• Household appliances including stove, microwave, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and countertop appliances such as microwaves.  
• Alarm Systems for monitoring fire, weather, security, etc. 
• Telephone and voicemail.  
• Office Equipment including printer/scanner, copy machine, calculator, shredder, etc. 
• Adaptive equipment as defined in individual strategies including hoyer lift and accessories, shower chairs or benches, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. 
• Agency vehicles with and without wheelchair lifts.  

Additional Requirements: 

• Must be able to lift or move up to 50 pounds to assist in two-person lift or with use of adaptive equipment.  
• Pass S-TOFHLA literacy test. 
• Must complete required DSP and Medication Administration Training, including, CPR, First Aid, Infection Control, OIG Rule 50, and CPI. 
• Must maintain medication administration authorization by following all policies and procedures. 
• Evening, weekend, overnight, and holiday hours required; the DSP schedules are determined by client and program needs and are subject to change.  
• Individual must have and maintain a valid Illinois driver’s license. 
• The use of a personal automobile, and the minimum amount of automobile liability insurance as defined in the Association’s personnel policy is required. 
• Must transport clients in personal automobile when necessary. 
• Must have access to a personal cell phone with ability to utilize downloaded applications for secure messaging.  
• Must meet and maintain IDOT Approved Driver Status. 
• Must be at least 18 years of age. 
• Attendance: Working scheduled hours at various locations as determined by client and program needs is required. 
• Must attend scheduled in-service trainings. 

If we seem like a good fit, consider joining our growing team of compassionate, hardworking, and caring individuals, and start your path toward a fulfilling career that you can be proud to work.