Dsp Mentor

The responsibility of the DSP Mentor is to support the Training Manager to appropriately train the agency’s direct support professionals, role-model high quality consumer care and professional behavior. The DSP Mentor must be able to communicate effectively with a multicultural workforce of direct care staff to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to maximize their abilities and meet their job expectations.

The DSP Mentor should be familiar with agency policies and procedures and state regulations pertaining to DSP training requirements, behavior management, and individual consumer rights. The DSP Mentor must demonstrate the skill and willingness to provide all DSPs with guidance and constructive feedback. The DSP Mentor will support the Training Manager to ensure the delivery of a high quality of care to all consumers while completing administrative duties. This individual’s work is driven by the GMS mission to improve the quality of life by supporting independence. 

Essential Functions

Staff Development

• Exemplify professional values, ethics, responsibility, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrate and model excellent communication and computer skills in the meeting of job responsibilities.
• Role-model agency policies, procedures, and expected agency practices.
• Promote high quality service and documentation standards through role modeling, feedback and training.
• Provide guidance and feedback to DSPs daily. Participate in supervisions and evaluations as appropriate to provide continuity between formal supervision and feedback during shifts.
• Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to improve professional skills to benefit the agency, consumers, and staff
• Assist in new hire training in conjunction with the Training Manager.
• May lead, guide and train GMS employees, contracted providers, and/or volunteers.
• Provide individual employee job coaching or mentoring as assigned.

Team Functioning

• Relationship with staff and other providers is maintained in spirit of cooperation.
• Active participation in team meetings and committees. 
• Coordinate existing training programs and provide consultation to managers for development of job-specific and site-specific training.

Health and Safety

• Maintain a clean, safe, organized training environment consistent with regulatory and program guidelines.
• Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of training equipment and supplies.
• Create and support a safe environment for both consumers and staff.
• Correct and/or report to appropriate supervisor any safety issues observed or brought to his/her attention.
• Create a safety awareness culture by role modeling safe behavior and discussing safety.

Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Competencies

• Two years related work experience; demonstrated ability to serve and care for people with intellectual disabilities, ASD, or brain injuries. 
• Must have acquired or be able to acquire within 90 days of hire the training and certifications mandated to work as a DSP in Maine.
• Understanding and support of GMS mission statement.
• Understanding of individuals served by GMS direct support staff. 
• Ability to present educational programs and/or training seminars in English and French (preferred).
• Excellent presentation, interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and flexibly in a multicultural team environment and to maintain a positive attitude. 
• Ability to effectively train staff and recognize achievements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks to deadline.
• Computer skills including use of word processing, spreadsheet programs and data base management. 
• Ability to handle conflict, stress, and to respond effectively to a changing environment.
• Ability to travel on occasion. 

ADA Requirements

• Able to sit, stand, move about office and site.
• Able to lift and/or transfer individuals served.
• Able to lift 50 pounds.
• Able to drive a car or van.