DSP, Caregiver, Direct Support Professional

Job Details: Job Location: Head Quarters - Chattanooga, TN, Position Type: DSP, Education Level: High School or Equivalent, Salary Range: $14.68 - $17.50Hourly, Job Shift: Rotating Days, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services, This is a full-time DSP position in the Residential departments with various shifts and work site locations available.  Immediate placement to be in position most needed as determined by hiring manager. Permanent shift and work-site to be determined during 90 day probationary period. Rate is $1.25 higher if you have a CNA license. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

I. HEALTH AND SAFETY/CARE RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Programming Outcomes:

1. Support individuals in meeting their personal outcomes*
2. Monitor and record data on personal outcomes*

B. Supporting Roles (for the individuals):

1. Provide the appropriate level of support the situation requires according to individual support plan or health status*
2. Support individuals in choice making
3. Support and assist the individuals in their work, social and leisure activities*
4. Support and assist community integration*
5. Support family relationships
6. Remain on shift until the relief person arrives*
7. Be attentive to and report any health and safety concerns of individuals*
8. Ensure the safety of all individuals in case of emergency events, such as fire, tornado, and armed intruder*
9. Follow emergency procedures accurately and promptly, such as CPR, First Aid, Heimlich Maneuver, and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
10.Observe and record accurate information on seizure reports*
11.Practice Universal Precautions*
12.Support individuals at healthcare appointments*
13.Support positive life style choices
14.Administer medications accurately and in accordance with agency policy and procedures according to individual program plan*
15.Physical ability to assist in Hydrotherapy Pool (hot and humid conditions) and recreational pool according to individual program plan*
16.Keep all chemicals and cleaners securely locked up*
17.Complete all required documentation per shift*

C. Personal Hygiene:

1. Perform all personal hygiene in a private setting*
2. Assist in bathing, hair care, dental hygiene, and shaving*
3. Keep personal care boxes stocked, clean and in order*
4. Assist in fingernail care*
5. Assist with dressing and undressing*
6. Assist with individuals selecting appropriate, clean, seasonal clothes*
7. Assist with toileting and changing adult briefs*
8. Utilize mechanical lifts according to individual program plan*
9. Complete all required documentation per shift*

D. Physical Requirements:

1. Utilize proper lifting techniques in all areas*
2. Ability to lift, move, and position individuals according to Physical Therapy guidelines according to individual program plans*
3. Ability to bend, stoop, and squat*
4. Ability to push, pull, reach, and stretch*
5. Ability to run as needed in emergency situations*
6. Ability to work in noisy environments, indoor and outdoor as needed*
7. See Work Capacity Addendum, effective November 16, 2012*

II. DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITY – assist and support the Individual in the following duties:

A. Laundry

1. Wash and dry individual’s clothing and household linens
2. Fold and iron clothes
3. Maintain clothing inventories
4. Label clothes

B. Kitchen:

1. Prepare snacks and meals per individual guidelines*
2. Clean kitchen, eating area, and wash dishes after meals*
3. Sweep, mop and empty trash daily*
4. Clean major appliances as needed
5. Check expiration dates of food and discard expired items*
6. Ensure thermometers are visible and accurate in all refrigerators and freezers*

C. Bedrooms:

1. Ensure closets and drawers are organized
2. Make beds daily, change linen when needed, at least weekly
3. Dust, sweep and mop daily

D. Bathrooms

1. Keep bathroom stocked with towels, soap, and toilet paper*
2. Clean sink, toilet, shower/bathtub, counter, mirror, and equipment daily*
3. Sweep, mop and empty trash daily

E. Community, work and classroom areas:

1. Sweep, mop, vacuum, dust daily
2. Empty trash and recycling containers daily*
3. Clean trash cans as needed
4. Take trash cans to street or dumpster*
5. Maintain perimeter of worksite (e.g. classroom hallways, patios, driveways, carport)*
6. Disinfect common and shared surfaces and items daily*
7. Be alert to and report maintenance needs and safety concerns*

F. Maintain Equipment:

1. Clean and care for wheelchairs and cushions daily*
2. Change air filters as needed
3. Unstop backed-up toilets
4. Ensure wheelchair and mechanical lift batteries are charged daily*
5. Clean and care for all heavy equipment and machinery as required*
6. Be alert to and report any equipment and machinery needs or safety concerns immediately*

III. TRANSPORTATION AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

1. Purchase fuel for vehicles per OGC fueling guidelines*
2. Safely secure passengers who use wheelchairs in vehicles per OGC policy*
3. Operate vehicle wheelchair lifts safely per OGC guidelines*
4. Support individuals in arranging transportation for appointments and events and while riding in the vehicle
5. Maintain a valid driver's license with an F endorsement and liability insurance (if driving personal cars for OGC purposes); inform agency immediately if license or insurance is revoked, suspended or expired*
6. Drive vehicle safely per environmental conditions and defensive driving guidelines*
7. Keep exterior and interior of vehicle clean
8. No eating, drinking, or smoking allowed in vehicles at any time*
9. Use of cellphone or other electronic devices is not allowed while driving an OGC vehicle per OGC policy*
10. Keep vehicle fuel tank at least ½ full at all times*
11. Become familiar with local community routes, roads, major sites, and attractions
12. Know the location and the proper use of safety equipment present in an OGC vehicle (e.g. First aid kit, web cutter, triangles, etc.)*
13. Complete a daily vehicle pre-trip inspection to insure that vehicle is safe and legal to drive. Report any discovered defects or problems to Transportation Dept. immediately per OGC policy*
14. Complete a post-trip inspection at the end of every trip to ensure that no passenger is ever left in vehicle unattended per OGC policy*
15. Operate vehicle per local, state and federal laws and per OGC policy*

IV. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

A. Orange Grove Center Policies and Procedures:

1. OGC Mission Statement
2. Attendance policy*
3. Behavior management policy*
4. On call procedures*
5. Individual rights*
6. Conduct Violation Policy*
7. Time keeping system*
8. Departmental policies and procedures*
9. Dress code*
10. Substance Abuse policy*
11. Criminal Charges policy*
12. Incident Management policy*
13. Accident Reporting policy (employee and individual)*
14. Emergency Procedures*

B. Training:

1. Orientation/Annual Refresher*
2. Person Centered Training*
3. Behavioral Management programs*
4. Crisis Prevention techniques*
5. First Aid & CPR*
6. Physical & Nutritional Management*
7. Defensive driving*
8. Needs Specific to Individuals*
9. Universal Precautions*
10. Right to Know*
11. Positive Behavior Supports*
12. On-line Training*

C. Paperwork and Documentation: (Timely reporting required per company policies)

1. Leave request
2. Behavior incident reports (reportable & non-reportable)*
3. Seizure reports*
4. Accident/Injury reports*
5. Timesheets (employee and individuals)*
6. Mileage sheets*
7. Leave request*
8. Daily notes*
9. Data collection sheets*
10. Flow sheets*
11. Receipts*
12. Any personal documentation on individuals such as Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), Medication Administration Records (MARs) and Communication Books*

V. EXPECTATIONS

A. Interpersonal Relationships:

1. Ability to recognize and provide what level of supervision or assistance is needed by individuals to encourage and support independence*
2. Respect the privacy and all personal rights of the individuals*
3. Express self without losing emotional control and in a professional manner*
4. Be open-minded, allowing others to have different opinions
5. Act as a mediator during individuals' disputes
6. Treats others with dignity, respect and courtesy while listening and interacting with them. Use a calm and respectful tone of voice while maintaining a professional relationship*
7. Support individuals by being their encourager, counselor, teacher and advocate
8. Become familiar with individuals and through interaction observation*
9. Maintain professional relationships with the individual, support team members, and
community partners, while following the DSP code of ethics*
10. Communicate respectfully toward supervisor, all staff, family members and individuals*
11. Demonstrate good problem solving and judgment skills*

B. Work Habits:

1. Consistently complete given responsibilities on time and within policy guidelines*
2. Focus on work assignments without personal distractions*
3. Be alert and ready to work*
4. Arrive promptly to work and work required shift hours*
5. Initiative is vital. Must be responsible to complete duties without being reminded and follow through to completion*
6. Immediately report any suspicion or knowledge of neglect, abuse, or wrongdoing*
7. Respect the individual’s home and work space and create a warm environment for them*
8. Follow written bus duty schedule and guidelines*
9. Be trustworthy and maintain confidentiality*
10. Be a team player*
11. Have a positive attitude while representing Orange Grove in all work environments*
12. Attend all scheduled meetings*
Must be flexible and willing to relocate to a different work site/location at management discretion in response to urgent staffing or operational needs.

This job description is written to cover the basics and the majority of the specifics of the position.  However, there may be other duties that arise, or which may be assigned by your supervisor, that will be your responsibility.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities

REQUIREMENTS:

A standard high school diploma or GED is required.
An acceptable three-year Motor Vehicle Report is required
Social Security Card is required
Driver's license with F endorsement, if a not a Georgia or Alabama license
Basic computer skills required
Ability to read and write the English language
On-going background checks and random drug and alcohol screenings
Driver's license with F endorsement, if a not a Georgia or Alabama license

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Successful completion of the required physical examination by an approved Orange Grove physician. 
The physical demands vary from residence to residence.  Some of them require frequent lifting and others require little.  Specifics about the position in question will be addressed later in the description.  All applicants are required to have a physical and be found to be in good physical health.

Required Work Hours:

7-12 hours per day
5 days per week
Overtime may be included

NOTE:

Occasionally means activity may be performed 1% to 33% of the workday

Frequently means the activity may be performed 34% to 66% of the workday

Continuously means the activity may be performed 67% to 100% of the workday

LIFTING REQUIREMENTS:

Continuously 1-20 lbs             
Frequently   21-50 lbs
Occasionally   50-100 lbs      
Never  >100 lbs  

CARRYING REQUIREMENTS:

Continuously 1-10 lbs               
Frequently   11-50 lbs
Occasionally      
Never  50-100+ lbs  

ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continuously: Grasping           
Frequently: Stoop/bend, Squat, Reach, Push, Pull, Twist, Standing, Walking 
Occasionally: Crawl, Climb, Sit, Driving      
Never: