Title: Direct Support Professional III

Reports To: Home Director I & II

Classification: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Created: November 29, 2013

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe, and therapeutic environment for individuals and following through on their plans of care. Assist the Community Home Manager or appropriate Program Supervisor as required. Administer medication as allowed by appropriate state medication administration guidelines.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Ensure the health and welfare of the individuals served.
Assist individual(s) served with medication and treatment plans as needed. Count and dispense appropriate medications as outlined in state medication administration guidelines.
Train individuals in the care and cleaning of their living area or home by performing and modeling simple tasks such as making a bed, cleaning the floor, and other basic housekeeping tasks.
Clean the living area and assist individuals with laundry.
Report general maintenance needs of living area or home unit.
Assist individuals served with money management, including budgeting, banking, and shopping.
Assist individuals served with daily life activities such as meal preparation, reading usage, use of telephone, use of community services (e.g., post office, mass transportation), housekeeping, clothing care, self-care, and personal hygiene.
Participate in the development and implementation of the active treatment plan and nutritional, behavioral, and physical support plans.
Make food and non-food purchases for the home when requested.
Prepare meals.
Ensure the maintenance of the home and grounds is done as requested.
Complete all required documentation (e.g., daily notes, incident reports, medical information such as seizures, vital signs as trained medication errors, etc.) following applicable state agency(ies) and Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. policies and procedures.
Implement behavioral and other programs as trained and requested.
Assist individuals served with their goals as outlined in their plan of care document(s).
Identify potential behavior triggers and defuse or redirect them as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved.
Provide transportation for individuals served in the company or personal vehicle as requested, i.e., appointments, activities, etc.
Report accidents/incidents and suspected cases of abuse or neglect of individuals per Evergreen policies and procedures.
Provide instruction to individuals involved in work activities associated with vocational opportunities.
Provide supervision to staff in the absence of the manager and monitor the needs of the home(s) as required during shift. Assist with emergencies and urgent matters as they arise and make appropriate notifications to management.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/JOB KNOWLEDGE

Effectively read, write, and communicate verbally in English and must be able to read and understand instructions, perform record-keeping, and write reports.
Valid driver’s license—which meets Evergreen requirements for insurance purposes and proof of liability coverage if a vehicle is owned—is preferred.
Meet and maintain all requirements of the applicable state agency(ies), including good standing with the state abuse and neglect registry.
Submit to and pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
Ability to utilize basic computer skills (e.g., data entry, approving timesheets, etc.).
Successful completion of appropriate state medication administration certification and up-to-date training.
Must be at least 18 years of age (non-driver) or 21 years of age (driver).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Constantly moves about to coordinate work.
Regularly moves and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds while assisting individual(s) served in the home, workshop, or job site.
Regularly assist the individual(s) served physically by lifting and positioning them as appropriate.
Constantly alert and aware of individual(s) served needs.
Occasionally exposed to viruses and infectious conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities or medical conditions to perform essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Will not have direct reports.
Some supervisory responsibilities may be required in the absence of a supervisor.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Constantly moves about to coordinate work.
Regularly moves and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds while assisting individual(s) served in the home, workshop, or job site.
Regularly assist the individual(s) served physically by lifting and positioning them as appropriate.
Constantly alert and aware of individual(s) served needs.
Occasionally exposed to viruses and infectious conditions.
Other characteristics of a successful DSP include but are not limited to the following characteristics: patience and composure, effective communication, dependability, effective interpersonal skills, awareness and attention to detail, advocacy, etc.

EMPLOYMENT VARIABLES

Must have a good driving record, which meets the minimum requirements for Evergreen and reliable transportation.
Must pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
Must be able to work a flexible schedule, which includes all shifts, including nights, days, and weekends.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

May be required to work in a variety of settings and environments, both indoors and outdoors.

Evergreen Life Services

I want more than just a job.
I want to make a difference in people’s lives.
I want to make a difference in my community.

We want to make a difference too. Working at Evergreen Life Services isn’t just a job; it’s a rewarding career. Sometimes that reward is a smile or a song from a resident, sometimes it’s the reward of knowing you helped a resident to learn daily life skills, like setting a table or preparing a meal. It could be watching a resident make beautiful artwork in one of our studios. Every day you will have opportunities to help those with intellectual or physical disabilities feel that they are a part of a community that cares.

Whether you provide direct care in our adult day care or in a group home, or you serve in a support or corporate office role, you will be an important part of the Evergreen team.

We have nearly 2000 employees and more than 1100 individuals served in seven states, including Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida.

If you are looking for a place where you can make a difference, at Evergreen Life Services you will change lives. Every employee is a valuable part of the team, because at Evergreen, everyone matters.

Evergreen, in it's mission is to serve, provide for and champion individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is looking for qualified, caring individuals to work with us.