SLS Direct Support Professional

This position is responsible for providing personal care services and other support to individuals with disabilities, elderly, or chronic illness to enhance their well-being and skills needed to live on their own.  This includes, but is not limited to, providing assistance and training activities of daily living, personal care services, and job-related supports.   Services are provided primarily in the residence of the person(s) served in a variety of independent living settings. Completion of training, timesheets, progress notes/service delivery logs, and other paperwork for billing and licensing are required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates empathy and professionalism toward persons with disabilities and the elderly.
• Demonstrates maturity and the ability to deal effectively with the demands of the job.
• Successfully completes orientation, annual, and mandatory training timely and as required by Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, Inc. and regulatory agencies such as CPR, Medication Administration and CPOC as directed by the nurse and facilitator. 
• Assists with the development and implementation of consumer(s) Individual Service Plan/Comprehensive Plan of Care.
• Provides quality direct care services as specified in the consumer(s) Individual Service Plan/Comprehensive Plan of Care, which may include:

• Protective Supervision (assuring the health, welfare, and maintenance of persons served in order to remain safely in the community).
• Personal Assistance Services for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including, but not limited to: eating; bathing/dressing; transferring and toileting.
• Personal Assistance Services for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), including, but not limited to:   housekeeping; food preparation and food storage, laundry and transportation.
• Medication monitoring and administration (with training provided by nurse).
• Implements behavior plan to help people with identified target behaviors.

• Completes and submits required documentation legibly and accurately within approved timelines.
• Provides proper notifications to Supported Living Services of Critical Incidents involving consumer(s)/staff and prepares appropriate incident reports.
• Ensures that all licensing requirements, agency, and Supported Living Services policies and procedures are followed, including all initial and annual training requirements.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Non-essential)

• Adhere to the designated dress code as stipulated for the specific role.
• Drive consumers to work, doctors appointments and social activities

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

• None

KEY CONTACTS

Maintains critical relationships with the following:

• Familiarity with community service agencies in the Parish where services are provided.
• Routine communication with facilitators, Staffing coordinator, Assistant and Program Director
• SLS Nurse
• Consumer’s family

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

This position requires knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent to:

• High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) from an accredited school is preferred. 
• Training in human services, including but not limited to, Home Health Aid, Certified Nursing Assistant, and/or Certified Medical Assistant is strongly preferred.
• Documented, verifiable experience providing direct care services to the elderly and/or persons with disabilities is strongly preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 21 years of age or older at the time the offer of employment is made.
• Must have valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, current Louisiana automobile insurance, registration, as well as a safe and operational vehicle (including temperature regulation) if required to transport consumers.  Documentation of above must be current and on file with Human Resources at all times.
• Must have a smartphone or other smart device and data plan.
• Must be able to pass all required compliance checks and criminal history investigation, including offenses as described in R.S. 40:1300.53, pursuant to the statutory revision authority of the Louisiana State Law Institute.  
• A legally responsible relative is prohibited from being the paid direct service worker for a family member.  A legally responsible relative is defined as the recipient’s spouse, curator, tutor, legal guardian, or person designated as the personal representative of the individual

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical requirements include sitting, standing, climbing, pushing, bending, squatting, lifting, and pulling.  Employee may be required to provide mobility assistance to consumers weighing up to 300 lbs.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.