Direct Support Manager

Job Summary: Monday - Friday 3PM - 11PM flexible manager hours.

Direct Support Managers (DSM) provide oversight to a predetermined number of sites and Direct Support Professionals (DSP). The DSM are the primary contact for staff and family members of the people being supported. The DSM will work in conjunction with the Advocates (Community and Family Services or Community Learning) to ensure that the support services being provided are excellent and exceed agency standards. The DSM is familiar with the agency's mission, agency standards of support and participates in the betterment of the organization. These principles are accomplished by having excellent communication skills, ability to problem solve and staff and budget management skills.

The DSM will provide management and oversight of DSPs working at their sites.

• Develop staff schedules within established household or program guidelines, under organizational policies and rules, and in response to participant needs. The DSM will approve the timecards, in an automated timekeeping system, of DSP staff working at their sites.

• Provide coaching and feedback to DSPs regarding performance issues, including demonstrating correct performance and implementing necessary disciplinary action.

• Prioritize tasks and responsibilities in order of importance to ensure that deadlines are met.

• Appropriately delegate clearly explained duties to staff to ensure successful completion. The DSM will effectively complete administrative tasks, using technology to promote efficiency.

The DSM will employ effective leadership strategies for problem-solving, decision making, and conflict management.

• Demonstrate sensitivity and objectivity while respecting the opinions, perspectives, customs, and individual differences of others.

• Intervene, in an appropriate manner, when a coworker is observed engaging in behaviors that show cultural insensitivity, racial biases, and/or prejudice.

• Coordinate and facilitate regular staff meetings, ensuring a sense of trust and openness, and encouraging group participation and ownership.

The DSM will assist with information and implementation of solutions to issues identified in licensing reviews, audits, and quality assurance monitoring activities.

• Knowledgeable about, and ensure compliance with, all Federal and state rules, regulations, and policies specific to each work setting.

• Provide sufficient information about open employment positions and conduct effective interviews, which include input from the person being supported.

• Complete performance reviews for their staff.

Person Centered Practices

The DSM uses and models person-centered practices, assisting people to make informed choices, develop strategies, take risks, follow through on responsibilities, and achieve their goals.

• Complete duties by staying focused on the individual being supported, being honest, always showing respect towards others, and completing tasks in a timely and effective way.

Implementation of Services

• Assists with implementation of the person-centered plan to achieve specific outcomes derived from the person's preferences, needs, and interests.

• Maintains collaborative professional relationships with the participant and all support team members (including family/friends), follows ethical standards of practice (e.g., confidentiality, informed consent, etc.), and recognizes his or her own personal limitations.

• Observes, monitors, and provides feedback to DSPs regarding the implementation of the person-centered plan. The DSM assists and educates DSPs in maintaining appropriate boundaries regarding personal vs. professional issues and maintaining healthy professional boundaries.

• Community Living Skills & Supports

• Helps people to manage the physical, personal, financial, and household tasks that are necessary on a day-to-day basis to pursue an independent community-based lifestyle.

• Assists in the management of, financial accounts, including participant bills and petty cash accounts, as needed and as appropriate according to setting.

• Education. Training & Self-Development

• Obtains and maintains necessary certifications and seeks opportunities to improve their skills and work practices through further education and training.

• Learn and stay current with technology used for documentation, communication, and other work activities.

• Coordinates and leads competency-based DSP on-site training, including coaching and mentoring.

• Provide on-boarding to new staff using a variety of strategies, including peer-to-peer feedback, training, and self-directed learning.

• Observe and solicit feedback from DSPs, participant, and their family regarding training needs, and identify potential resources and other opportunities for training.

Advocacy

The DSM will support people by encouraging them to advocate for themselves and assist them to overcome challenges so that they can achieve a full community life.

• Collaborate and maintain relationships with community vendors, landlords, neighbors and other service agencies within the community.

• Vocational. Educational & Career Support

• Knowledgeable about the career and/or education goals of the person(s) they support and will assist them in acquiring the necessary resources to achieve their objectives.

Crisis Prevention and Intervention

The DSM identifies risk and behaviors that can lead to a crisis and uses effective strategies to prevent or intervene in the crisis in collaboration with others.

• Discusses the incident with authorized staff and participant(s), adjusting supports and the environment, maintains confidentiality, and complies with regulations for reporting.

• Identify local emergency plans and hazards that affect local area, maintain the emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit, and ensure fire/emergency drills are completed and documented as required.

• Respond to DSP questions and issues when on-call and/or providing remote supervision. The DSM will debrief DSP staff, after the incident, when applicable.

Documentation

The DSM is aware of the requirements for documentation and is able to manage these requirements efficiently.

• Maintains accurate records, collecting and compiling data, and submitting records to appropriate sources in a timely fashion.

• Maintains standards of confidentiality and ethical practice and ensures that DSPs do so as well. DSMs will have a full working knowledge and understanding of the agency database.

• Review DSPs daily documentation and incident reports ensuring that proper follow-up is completed.

Community Inclusion and Relationships

The DSM implements the necessary individualized support including providing support with planning community activities, facilitating and developing relationships and peer interactions.

Supporting Health & Wellness

The DSM promotes the health and wellness of all people they support. The DSM observes, documents, and implements appropriate actions to promote healthy living to prevent illness and accidents.

• Collaborate with healthcare professionals and provide support in accordance with health and medical recommendations which may include a Nursing Plan of Care.

• Monitor participant for signs of illness or health-related concerns, and respond by implementing treatments, reporting issues to health care professionals and participant's family as appropriate, documentation as needed, and ensuring coordination between care providers.

• Ensure records, such as Medication Administration binders and health related charting, are readily available, easy to use, always up to date and provide the most critical information regarding the health and wellness needs of the participant.

• Order medical supplies, interact with pharmacies, and arrange for supplies and medications to be picked up or delivered as needed.

Communication

The DSM builds trust and productive relationships with people they support, coworkers, families, management, and others through respectful, clear, concise and timely communication (verbally and in writing).

• Facilitate teamwork and positive interactions among DSPs by managing conflict and providing counseling, as needed

• Ensure that DSPs working at other sites are not left without proper supervision.

• Use technology such as phone, email, text messaging and video chats to maintain regular communication to keep DSPs engaged and effective.

This job description is intended to describe the essential job functions and requirements for the successful performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add, change or reassign duties at any time.

OSHA Category:

This position may perform tasks that involve exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissues. All employees are offered the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination series. All employees are required to complete Universal Precautions/Bloodborne Pathogens training.

Organization Description:

The Arc of Howard County is a 501(c)3 organization that is committed to supporting intellectual and developmentally disabled individuals so they can achieve a full community life.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge/Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Valid Maryland Driver's License with less than 3 points

• Computer Literacy (Including Microsoft Office Suite and the use of Google Mail and Carematic)

• Ability to successfully complete all DDA, Arc of Howard County and MBON required trainings Ability to manage time effectively.

• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing Ability to lift 25-30 lbs.

• Leadership/Supervision