Dsp Program Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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 Proffessional-24HC-Program Support for Elgin, IL who exemplifies that mission and wants to work for an organization that makes a difference.

Schedule Hours:  Full time - 40 hours, First shift Flexibility to work hours between 7a-6p 

What you will be doing?

The DSP Program Support is responsible for the support needs of the assigned caseload. Assures the timely scheduling, completion, and documentation of routine, required, and urgent medical appointments per applicable standards. Also assists with maintaining Public Entitlements for assigned caseload or other individuals as needed. The DSP Program Support is able to work in any environment, assisting with staff training and or retraining as needed. The DSP Program Support will ensure clients’ dignity, privacy, and rights are protected. Will monitor the cleanliness of the homes to ensure a clean and safe environment is maintained and be familiar and comply with all applicable program and agency regulations.  

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. 

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 required 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. 
• May be responsible for independent building coverage, including safety and supervision of all clients, per program. 
• 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.  
• Assist in monitoring, scheduling, and completion of routine and follow-up medical appointments for assigned clients.  
• Assist with monitoring and maintaining Public Entitlement benefit status including attending appointments, completing paperwork and submitting, attending phone interviews, etc. for assigned clients.  
• Assist with staff training and/or retraining on client plans; leads by example while working alongside DSPs in homes to help familiarize new/non-familiar DSPs to routines, procedures, and client preferences.  

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.

Education

• High School graduate/GED transcript (required)           

License/Certification

• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) or Autism Certificate desired. 

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year experience working with people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities

• Three years’ experience as a Direct Support Professional 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 of.