Telephone: +1-256-476-6585 | info@unitedcommunityhomecare.com | 331 Autumn Lane SW Decatur, AL 35601
UCHC Job Vacancies

Direct Support Professional
Status:
Open
Job Description:
Direct Support Professional is responsible for maintaining a safe, supportive, and
therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation and facilitates the
development of mutual aid/self help skills among individuals. Staff's primary role is to provide the appropriate support tailored to the needs and desires of each individual to enable each to live as independently as possible. The Direct Support Professional is expected to recognize when an individual is in a crisis and be able to utilize the appropriate psychiatric and medical back up services.
Job Duties:
1. Assist/monitor/teach individuals with preparation of daytime activities; encourage good personal hygiene, and behavior appropriate in their home or apartment.
2. Assist Direct Care Supervisor in the assessment of each individuals(s) abilities, interests and need areas toward independent living. Assist Direct Care Supervisor in the development of each ISP. Staff behavior and interaction with individuals shall be directed towards the attainment of goals set forth within each ISP
3. Assist/monitor/teach individuals(s) in budgeting skills.
4. Teach self medication skills according to DMR regulations, and when appropriate supervise in medication administration.
5. Assist/monitor/teach individuals engaging in daily chores.
6. Assist/monitor/teach individuals as needed in grocery shopping, menu planning, meal preparation and clean up.
7. Meet with individuals (as needed) on an individual basis to discuss concerns, problems.
8. Assist/monitor/teach individuals in holding house meetings and informal discussion groups with peers.
9. Handle emergency situations appropriately, (according to MHA and DMR policles). Utilize crisis interventions when necessary.
10.Teach and/or support individuals in utilizing public transportation. Transport individuals to appropriate appointments only when necessary (i.e. person requires assistance at appointment).
11.Perform daily record keeping (i.e. data collection, daily logs). Exchange
information with the next shift and/or with support staff.
12. Teach and be supportive of basic nutrition. Assist individuals to utilize community resources from nutritional counseling.
13.Teach relationship building skills.
14. Teach community integration; assist individuals in joining community
organizations of their choice.
15. Teach problem solving skills/resolving conflicts.
16. Provide leisure/recreational activities of individual(s) choice, increase individual's self initiative in leisure activities.
17.Teach/monitor individuals self management skills (in health and behavior management).
18. Teach individuals basic first aid, fire safety, emergency skills and sex education, and/or assist individual in locating a class (community resource) in the above stated items.
19.Provide opportunities for individuals to have choices, make decisions in daily living and their future goals (i.e. assist individual in day to day decisions).
20. Assist in creating natural supports for individuals. 21.Assist individuals in building their self esteem.
22 .. Encourage empowerment.
23. Follow individual treatment plans consistently.
24.Conduct and document monthly fire drills according to DMR procedures.
25. Report any consumer (individual) abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) or act of omission to the Disabled Person's Protection Commission,
26.Be available to meet with repair person(s) and inspectors.
27.Attend individual and inter-agency staff meetings related to individuals.
28.Attend training.
29.Implement OSHA regulations.
30. Lifting, snow shoveling and climbing stairs. 31.Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
The minimum professional qualification for the Direct Support Professional is a High School Diploma/GED.
1. Autonomy+ ability to work without immediate supervision.
2. Interpersonal sensitivity (objective awareness of others, tactful interaction, ease in establishing limits).
3. Reliability
4. Flexibility
5. Insight and the ability to articulate it.
6. Good judgment, including the ability to evaluate, make decisions, and anticipate
consequences.
10.
Initiative and motivation to learn.
Valid driver's license and the ability to drive a van (Employees Only).
Crisis intervention training (i.e. PAC, Human Rights Committee, etc)
.CPR, First Aid and MAC certificates are a plus.