DC Waiver - Blagden - Direct Support Professional FT
VOA Chesapeake

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas empower self-reliance and inspire hope. As a church without walls, we do this through personalized housing, ministry, health, and human services that benefit vulnerable individuals, their families, and the community. Founded in 1896 in Baltimore, MD by social reformers, Ballington and Maud Booth, we were one of the first of over 30 affiliates of Volunteers of America - one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive human services organizations.

Our founders envisioned a movement dedicated to reaching and uplifting the American people. On behalf of the organization, the Booths pledged "to go wherever we are needed and do whatever comes to hand". Their declaration continues to guide Volunteers of America's impact on "Helping America's most vulnerable".

Through a dedicated and committed team of more than 850 employees and thousands of volunteers, we provide critical care, support services and hope to thousands of people each year throughout Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Carolinas. We firmly believe our employees drive the success of the organization. Through our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, we endeavor to attract, engage, and retain qualified, diverse, compassionate individuals to join our journey and experience a work environment that offers challenging, stimulating and financially rewarding opportunities.

JOB SUMMARY

Direct Support Professional (DSP) are responsible for supporting activities of people enrolled in programs and living in homes operated by Volunteers of America Chesapeake and Carolina's (VOACC). DSP will teach independent living skills to the people and provide support with all activities of daily living. The DSP will facilitate community integration, maintain the person's safety and well-being in accordance with the Scope of Work and VOACC policies and procedures while contributing to the upkeep of the program environments.

Salary details:

Minimum: $19.33

Maximum: $20.33 (w/ TME Certification)

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED from an accredited educational institution required.
• Must have at least one (1) to three (3) years of experience in a residential setting serving people with intellectual/developmental disabilities or with other types of special needs populations (rehabilitation settings, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, other behavioral health settings, etc.).
• Experience in working with people who are medically fragile and/or have physical limitations preferred.
• Experience in working with Evans Class Monitors, Quality Trust, HRLA, PCR, DDS, DDA in the District of Columbia.
• Experience in the VOACC ICF/Waiver programs, with experience with people who are considered "medically fragile and clinically involved." For example, experience with people who have developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, may also have complex medical issues, use wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, feeding tubes, or various other adaptive equipment in their everyday lives.)
• Current CPR/First Aide required.
• Current Driver's License required.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to use independent judgment and address conflict and find resolutions.

• Bilingual in any language a plus.

Note: A bona fide occupation exception may be established for this position based upon sex/gender when it is necessary to ensure that the needs of the people supported are adequately met.

RESPONSIBLITES:

• Provides support for people as necessary to ensure needs as identified by the Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT) are met.
• Communicates with families, members of the IDT, the person's day program and other providers of services and supports as necessary and appropriate.
• Instructs, supports, and participates in performing household tasks with people such as cleaning, preparing meals, food shopping, etc. as identified in the ISP.
• Assists people in developing daily living skills by identifying and meeting social, environmental and health care needs.
• Assists people in their daily grooming and personal care routines.
• Implements Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention responses as trained and specified in the person's Behavior Support Plan and ISP.
• Responds, as trained and instructed in emergency medical situations.
• Performs crisis intervention as trained and provides assistance as needed.
• Actively plans, coordinates, and participates with people in social activities including frequent community outings.
• Participates in assessment processes and serves on the IDT as appropriate.
• Transports people and/or provides mobility training to assist people to go on appointments, community rehabilitation programs, grocery shopping, etc.
• Documents activities and behaviors of people in files as designated, on data sheets, in logbooks, and various other forms as required. (This may also include the use of electronic records.)
• Complete Employee orientation examinations as required by the District of Columbia Department of Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
• Prepares food according to developed menus, menu protocols, peoples' likes and dislikes and prescribed diet.
• Attends staff meetings, training in-services, house and program meetings as directed.
• Ensures compliance with VOAC program requirements, environment-specific rules as well as those regulations from all monitoring entities.
• Checks for proper sanitation and security conditions within the home/program environment.
• Notifies supervisor and monitors activities of visitors to the home/program environment.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of VOAC policies and procedures.
• Understands role as a mandated reporter of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Administers medications as required by prescribing medical licensed professional (Director of Nursing Services or Designee).
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EFFECTS ON RESULTS:

• As a condition of continued employment in the role of a DSP in the ICF/Waiver Program.
  • Maintain and complete annual training program, certifications, and be otherwise compliant and in good standing with all program requirements.
  • Maintain on-going Annual Negative TB Screening and Health Certificate clearance submitted.
  • Maintain CPR/First Aid Certification must be acquired and maintained in good standing.
  • No allegation of abuse, neglect or violation of persons served at any time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform their essential duties.

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, people and program supplies as necessary.
• The ability to operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movement.
• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.
• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear, and perform basic and light home maintenance activities, and operate office equipment.
• The physical ability to move and lift light objects up to 30 pounds such as mail, supplies, files, and equipment.
• The physical ability to lift, transfer, carry, push, pull a person served when required through routine assistance or during an emergency.

EFFECT ON END RESULT:

• To ensure the needs of persons served as identified by the IDT are met and satisfaction of the person is achieved.
• To ensure that the program is operated in compliance with the Scope of Work, VOAC policies and procedures and licensing and all Medicaid (ICF, Waiver, and other) regulations.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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