Direct Support Professional - Group Home

Job Summary:

Support individuals with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Assist clients with daily needs, as specified in individual care plans and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Provide support with daily life skills, community integration through outside activities, and medical care. Behave professionally and abide by agency and state policies and procedures at all times.

Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Effectively communicates and understands, reads, and writes in English

• Willing to submit to for-cause drug testing

• Organized and efficient

• Able to perform the personal care and housekeeping chores detailed in this document

• Able to work with diverse client populations in varied settings

• Treats all clients with respect and relates in a warm, caring manner

• Able to meet the Additional Requirements below

Additional Requirements:

• Valid Washington State driver's license, clear driving record, and reliable transportation (upon hire)
• Residence phone or cell phone (upon hire)
• US bank account for direct deposit (upon hire)
• Passing federal fingerprint background check (initial background check authorization submitted within 1 day of hire; fingerprints for federal background check submitted prior to working unsupervised)
• Negative 2-step T.B. test results (Cascade Christian Home only, initiated within 3 days of hire)
• Orientation & Safety Training and Policy & Procedures Training (first day of employment)
• Food Handler's Permit (Cascade Christian Home only, within 14 days of hire)
• Hepatitis B vaccine or waiver (within 30 days of hire)
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certification (within 30 days of hire, prior to working unsupervised)
• Bloodborne Pathogens Training (within 30 days of employment)
• 40-hour CORE and 30-hour Population-Specific Trainings (within 120 days of hire)
• Developmental Disability Specialty Training (if not required to take 40-hour CORE, within 120 days of hire)
• Mental Health Specialty Training (Cascade Christian Home only, if not required to take 40-hour CORE, within 120 days of hire)
• Nurse Core Delegation Training (prior to being delegated for medication administration)
• RIGHT RESPONSE Advanced Certificate (within 6 months of hire)
• Home Care Aide (HCA) Certification (within 200 days of hire) or NAC/LPN/RN certificate

Physical Requirements:

• Lifting, transferring, and positioning:

• At times, 1-person or 2-person lifts are required.

• Clients may require transferring with the use of a Hoyer Lift.

• In an emergency, staff may be expected to move up to 100 lbs.

• Bending, scooping, and reaching:

• Assist clients with physical therapy exercises.

• Dress clients and change attends when necessary.

• Assist with laundry, carrying supplies, and putting away supplies.

• General household cleaning/maintenance (mopping, vacuuming, tidying up, dishwashing, washing windows, changing light bulbs, yard work, etc.)

• Transportation:

• Assist clients (including those who use wheelchairs and mobility devices) in and out of vehicles.

• Follow proper procedures for securing seat belt straps, safety straps, and belts for wheelchairs.

Responsibilities:

• Understand and regularly review each client's Person Centered Service Plan (PCSP), and follow plans when providing care. In addition, Cascade Christian Home staff must also know and follow client Negotiated Care Plans (NCPs).

• Understand and regularly review Individual Instruction and Support Plans (IISPs). Carry out goals and training programs as specified in the IISP, and provide care that is consistent with the IISP. Appropriately document all goals worked on.

• Understand and regularly review Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs) and Functional Assessments for applicable clients. Follow strategies identified in the client's PBSP in response to their challenging behaviors.

• Follow support plans in regards to medication administration, and document medications in the Medication Administration Record (MAR).

• Support clients to complete ADLs as independently as possible. Assist and supervise clients with daily personal care (e.g., bathing, toileting, etc.) to ensure their safety and well-being at all times. Assist clients in carrying out basic household chores (e.g., cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, etc.).

• Support clients' access to the community by referring to activity calendars and allowing flexibility for scheduled and unscheduled outings. Assist clients with community interactions. Be professional, and lead by example.

• Establish and maintain positive communication, working relationships, and professional boundaries with clients, guardians/family members, healthcare practitioners, community members and co-workers. Keep the Area Manager/Program Director apprised as issues arise.

• Assist clients with financial transactions as directed by supervisor or advocate. Keep receipts for all client purchases, and document appropriately.

• Assist clients in accessing appropriate transportation, either by agency vehicle or by public transportation (note: staff may be asked to use their personal vehicles only when agency vehicles are unavailable). Help keep agency vehicles clean and in good repair by reporting any damage or problems to the Area Manager/Program Director.

• Assist and instruct clients in emergency evacuation procedures. Conduct quarterly apartment safety checks.

• Read information boards and Therap SComms/T-Logs, check box for notes, and exchange pertinent information with staff during shift change.

• Complete all documentation on assigned clients prior to leaving shift. Documentation includes, but is not limited to, MARs, ADLs, Intake/Elimination Records, IISP goals, T-Logs, etc.

• Report unusual or emergent situations to the Area Manager/Program Director. Complete Therap General Event Reports (GERs) within 24 hours of the incident for management review.

• Immediately report alleged or suspected abuse/neglect/exploitation to Residential Care Services (Complaint Resolution Unit) and the Area Manager/Program Director.

• Safeguard the confidentiality of client records and information (see Confidentiality Pledge).

• Participate in all designated in-service trainings and attend all staff meetings, as directed by the Area Manager/Program Director.

• Punch in and out of Sentric at proper times to ensure time worked is reported correctly. Submit time card, verifying its accuracy by due date. Communicate to management any discrepancies between time worked and schedule.

• Other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

Benefits

• Sick leave

• 401k plan

• Employee Assistance Program

In addition, full-time employees receive:

• Vacation

• Health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)

• Life insurance

Part-time to full-time hours available. Overtime eligible.

Cascade Connections is an Equal Opportunity Employer and stands committed to Affirmative Action.