Direct Support Professional

Job Description

About Company

Chimes is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual and behavioral challenges in achieving their fullest potential. The organization offers a wide array of services including educational, employment, vocational, residential, habilitative, and behavioral health support. These services are delivered through a network of national and international affiliates, enabling Chimes to adopt a comprehensive and holistic approach to improving the lives of those they serve. Their goal is to provide innovative and responsive solutions for both the individuals receiving support and those who benefit from their work.

Job Description, Detailed

This role, compensated at $19.75 Hourly, is primarily focused on providing personal support within the residence of a person served by Chimes. The position requires constant active engagement with the individual to ensure their programs and activities are carried out effectively, both within the home and the community.

Primary Job Function(s):
• Serve as a personal support in the residence of a person served, maintaining active engagement and ensuring all programs and activities are carried out for their benefit, both at home and in the community.
• Provide supervision and training to adults with developmental disabilities to promote their growth toward their highest potential, consistently following their individual plans and goals.
• Ensure the house is personalized and individualized to each person’s preferences and personality.
• Teach and instruct people served to do as much as possible for themselves, according to program plans, and refrain from personal business during work hours (e.g., no personal cell phones, reading, TV watching, writing).
• Communicate with day program staff concerning the individual program of a person served, if requested.
• Promptly communicate concerns related to the needs of persons served and any house operations needs to the Community Support Manager.
• Utilize approved behavior plans and intervention strategies to enhance progress toward achieving goals and objectives.
• Act as a positive role model for persons served and Agency staff.
• Work hands-on directly with people served to assist each person in developing independent living skills, including mobility, budgeting, personal hygiene, cleaning, bathing, toileting, nail care, and oral hygiene.
• Know the whereabouts of persons served at all times during work hours.
• Meet routinely with the BSS Program Manager or their designee for scheduled meetings.
• Be knowledgeable of routine and emergency medical procedures, including CPR, vital signs, positioning, wheelchair usage, transfers, assistive devices, splints, dentures, and walkers.
• Administer correct and timely medication (oral, topical, nebulizers, bowel regimens) consistent with the Physician Medical Order Form (PMOF) and the Medication Administration Record (MAR), ensuring three-way checks.
• Monitor and assist in maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the persons served at home, both inside and out.
• Aid persons served in the care and maintenance of their personal belongings, ensuring these are secure and controlled by each person.
• Complete appropriate records and reports, such as monthly reports, incident reports, seizure records, program activity logs, and fire drill reports.
• Clean the home with the person served where appropriate, complete laundry, and prepare food according to approved menus, special diets, and food consistencies.
• Collect data relating to persons served progress according to Agency policy.
• Transport persons served to appointments, activities, and community outings.
• Assume financial responsibility for Agency and persons served funds, documenting same per agency policy.
• Communicate medical concerns to the Registered Nurse and supervisor within the appropriate time frame.
• Check all rooms at specified times to ensure persons served’s safety and well-being.
• Use approved crisis intervention techniques in emergencies when persons served are in danger of injuring themselves or others.
• Know the location of important house records: fire drills, water temps, medical records, menus, and other files.
• Attend religious services with the person served.
• Contribute to a positive, enthusiastic, responsible, and courteous work and home atmosphere.
• Work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Treat persons served with kindness, dignity, and respect at all times.
• Use technology for the completion of specified job duties.
• Attend work regularly according to the assigned work schedule and in accordance with Agency policy.
• Attend and participate in in-service training, staff meetings, and other activities to facilitate professional development.
• Work cooperatively with others, including all families, staff, supervisors, administrators, co-workers, people served, community professionals, customers, neighbors, vendors, and the public.
• Abide by Agency policies and procedures.
• Assume other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as needed.

Secondary Function(s):
• Attend team meetings as required.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with Agency volunteers, maximizing their experience while meeting the needs of the people served and the programs.

Requirements:
• EDUCATION: High School diploma or equivalent preferred. Specific educational requirements may vary by state due to regulations.
• EXPERIENCE: Commitment to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities is essential. Ability to work as part of a team.
• LICENSING/CERTIFICATION: Must possess a driver’s license and an acceptable driving record as determined by criteria established by the Agency’s insurance carrier and by Agency policy.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to lift, pull, and push adequate weight, potentially more than 50 pounds, to assist individuals supported.
• NOTE: Additional related experience and/or education may be substituted for the specified requirements under Education and Experience at the discretion of the Personnel Officer.

Benefits (Total Rewards For Full-Time Employees = >30 hours/week):
• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement options
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health, Dependent, and Transportation)
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403(b) with Employer Match
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Employee Referral Bonus opportunities
• Discounts through “Tickets at Work”
• And More!