Community Connections Dsp

The Community Connections Direct Support Professional is an entry level direct support position. The Community Connections Direct Support Professional will provide necessary supports for individuals receiving services in all aspects of their life. The Community Connections Direct Support Professional will be working in a fast paced environment facilitating skill building activities, community opportunities, and empowering the daily opportunities for choice. The Community Connections Direct Support Professional will be required to work in a team environment supporting the needs of all individuals part of the program. Creativity, innovation and flexibility are core requirements of a Community Connections Direct Support Professional staff.

EXAMPLES OF WORK DUTIES: (The listed examples include all duties and responsibilities which may be required of the position).

1. Develop Skills necessary to assure that the atmosphere is warm, caring and supportive with minimum friction among individuals and staff.

2. Monitor and/or maintain the cleanliness and safety conditions of the work environment and vehicles assigned.

3. Develop skills necessary to support and teach individuals in all aspects of self care activities as they require.

4. Assist individuals in community activities, i.e. budgeting, activity planning and shopping, accessing recreational activities, etc.

5. Develop skills necessary to advocate for each individual's rights and encourage them to make good decisions and daily choices on how they spend their time.

6. Administer medications or treatments as prescribed.

7. It will be necessary for the Community Connections Direct Support Professional to promote integration/inclusion into the community through planned activities and incidental opportunities.

8. Develop skills necessary to communicate well with the individuals they support, other staff and supervisors, parents, guardians and other agencies.

9. Respond appropriately to feedback, follow directives, and communicate effectively with supervisory staff.

10. Develop skills necessary to work closely with individuals supported, family members, consultants and other related staff in planning and implementation of Individual Plans.

11. Develop skills necessary to implement procedures and document information consistent with the expectations outlined in the Individual Plan and required documentation.

12. Develop skills necessary to initiate/generate and supervise daily activity schedules.

13. Reflect values of the organization by use of good judgment in handling daily responsibilities.

14. Develop skills necessary to represent the agency to organizations, individuals, and government officials in a positive manner.

15. Assure confidential information is upheld in accordance with Woodhaven policies, procedures, DMH regulations, Federal and State laws.

16. Staff may be required to perform additional duties not specifically listed or implied here as situations arise or as assigned by a supervisor.

17. Supervisor’s may send staff to work sites other than their regularly assigned location as deemed necessary.

18. Woodhaven reserves the right to alter your work schedule and work location in order to accommodate individuals supported and staffing needs.

19. Ensure in services are up to date.

20. Facilitate and run activities for individuals supported both on site and in the community.

21. Develop activities that focus on skill building and life enrichment to ensure each individual supported as meaningful day.

QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalent is required and previous experience working with persons with MR\DD is preferred.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/DUTIES: The Community Connections Direct Support Professional will be required to successfully complete an initial orientation. This will include Red Cross CPR, First Aid, Abuse & Neglect, Certified Medication Administration, Positive Behavior Interventions, Universal Precautions in-service, lifting in-service, and other lectures on basic information regarding State and Federal law relevant to the organization's policies, procedures, rules and regulations. You will be required to update these in-services annually or as notified. Employees are expected to be reliable when reporting to work for scheduled shifts. All Community Connections Direct Support Professionals who have committed felonies that are listed on the disqualification registry with the Department of Mental Health will be removed from payroll effective immediately unless a request for exception has been approved with the Department of Mental Health.

A valid Missouri Chauffeur's license MUST be obtained within the first two (2) weeks of employment for this position. Must maintain an acceptable driving status according to Procedure No. 1-8-3, Woodhaven Vehicle Use. Any exception to this requirement must be authorized by the Chief Operating Officer or the Director of Residential and Community Services. Applicant must maintain a positive relationship with the individuals they support.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

Some positions may require lifting a minimum of 50 pounds. See Human Resources or your immediate supervisor for specific positions where lifting is a requirement.