Direct Support Professional Lead (RI-LS)

Job Summary:

The Direct Support Professional Lead establishes a secure and positive environment that nurtures the client’s self-expression, needs, and goals. The DSP-L provides direct care for clients, as well as guides, encourages, monitors, and supports the work of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Provides personal care services and participates in the implementation of program and treatment plans for individuals served by the program. Provides transportation for clients, as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility: Yes

• Oversees and coaches the work assigned to staff and assists in shift assignments.
• Assists with the planning and preparation of training and orientation of new DSPs.
• Recommends personnel actions (hiring, performance management, etc.)

Essential Job Functions include:

• Provides direct support services across various programs based on staffing, program, and organizational needs.
• Ensures staff training is completed, including on-site and on-the-job training and documents training.
• Completes weekly environmental checks as assigned.
• Coordinates emergency drills as assigned.
• Works with the programmatic team to ensure that active treatment is being provided continuously.
• Provides personal care and assists individuals served with self-help skills including toileting, grooming, feeding, bathing, dressing, etc.

• Observes and records data to document the progress of individuals served toward objectives.
• Uses appropriate behavior modification techniques to manage the behavior of individuals served.
• Reviews recommendations for positioning of individuals served, transfers, use of adaptive equipment, feeding protocols, etc., and demonstrates a good understanding of the needs of each individual served.
• Proactively communicates any questions or concerns with other care team members.
• Accompanies clients on outings as requested.
• Assists in preparing and serving the client meals.

Qualifications - Knowledge/Skills/Abilities include:

• Ability to communicate effectively and timely with consumers, clients, peers, and staff.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating, maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write detailed reports and correspondence.
• Ability to operate common household appliances.
• Ability to send and receive communication to and from peers.
• Knowledgeable of clients’ rights.
• Knowledgeable of program rules, regulations, and guidelines, or ability and desire to learn and know where to find the resources.

The work environment includes:

• Indoors with regulated temperature control. Noise level varies depending on the environment.
• Outdoor work environment is based on the elements of the season.
• Exposure to the outdoor elements is typical to the time of year and area of the community.
• May occasionally experience moderate noise levels.
• Homelike setting. Indoors with some exposure to different weather elements as there will be a need to move about the different service locations.
• Typical warehouse environment.

Physical Demands: This role requires sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, pulling, repetitious computer, and talking to people. Lifting requirements of 50 lbs. on occasion.

• High-paced environment. The position will require constant moving and walking.
• Must be able to physically assist clients.

Travel: Less than 50% of local travel excepted for this position. Will have to transport clients to and from the day programs, doctor appointments, grocery stores, etc.

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum level of education required – High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Minimum years of experience required – One year of experience working with persons with developmental disabilities or behavioral health diagnoses; or complete a session on incident reporting, abuse and neglect identification and reporting, overall training on IDD diagnosis, as well as client-specific training on diagnosis and behavioral support (provided by ERC).

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Preferred level of education required – Trade School or Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Preferred years of experience required – Three or more years of related experience. Plus, two years of supervisory experience.
• Preferred knowledge of programs and services for individuals with disabilities.
• Preferred experience working with nonprofit organizations.
• Previous work with state licensures and related annual audits a plus.
• Previous work with state licensures and related annual audits a plus.

Additional Eligibility qualifications:

• Must pass an extensive background check.
• Must comply with drug testing requirements.
• Reliable transportation is required.
• If you are a van driver for ERC, you must have a valid Arkansas driver’s license, meet safe driver’s requirements and be 25 years of age.
• Required and or Preferred Certificates for this job
• Licensure requirements- Must meet minimum licensure annual training requirements.
  1. This role includes licensure requirements for Administrators, Health & Safety, and HIPAA training.
  2. Be certified to perform CPR and first aid within 30 days of employment.

Other Duties: As required to fulfill the ERC mission.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities and activities, and may change at any time with or without notice.

• It is my responsibility to forward requests for reasonable accommodation in writing to the Human Resources Department.
• It is my responsibility to notify Human Resources of any health condition that would impact the performance of essential position functions and/or any communicable disease or illness that has been contracted which would endanger staff or consumers during the normal course of performing essential position functions.

“THIS IS A SAFETY-SENSITIVE JOB FOR PURPOSES OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL MARIJUANA AMENDMENT”

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:

The Elizabeth Richardson Center (ERC) is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, creed, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, ancestry, family status, medical condition, family care leave, genetic predisposition or status as a covered veteran and other protected characteristic under applicable law.

ERC embraces the concepts of a diverse workforce, and applies this to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company-sponsored employee activities. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity, or age limitations will be adhered to by the company where appropriate.

ERC will take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that minority group individuals, females, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, Armed Forces service medal veterans, and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.