Direct Support Professional

Job Title: Community Living Specialist

Department: Community Living

Date Created/Reviewed: 3/22/2021

Position Summary:
The Community Living Specialist provides daily assistance and supports for individuals with disabilities living in their home. This position provides support, education and advocacy as outlined in the individual’s support plan and ensures supports provided meet organizational guidelines, funder requirements and accreditation standards.

Essential Functions:

• Reviews and implements activities related to Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and works towards plan outcomes and objectives. Performs all required documentation and ensures organizational, funder and accreditation requirements are met. Reviews all organizational communications each shift.
• Provides education, assistance, mentoring and support to individuals. Supports provided may include bathing, personal hygiene activities, dressing, cooking according to dietary guidelines, maintaining a safe home environment, cleaning, laundry, transportation, etc.
• Provides assistance, education and modeling behaviors when supporting individuals during community outings and social opportunities.
• Administers medications and provides medical care and support according to physician orders and RN delegations. Communicates changes in functioning, health status or behaviors to support team.

Accompanies individuals to medical appointments, communicates physician orders to the team and completes necessary documentation.

• Provides positive behavioral interventions as outlined in ISP or behavior development plan.
• Attends all required staff meetings and opportunities for ongoing education and training.

Position Competencies:

• Knowledge of disabilities, medical care and behavioral supports. Must be able to support individuals with disabilities in a variety of situations.
• Able to work with challenging behaviors and utilize appropriate de-escalation techniques.
• Maintains open and professional communication with individuals, families/guardians, team members, medical providers and community members.
• Able to work independently and provide supports in adherence to organizational policies and procedures, funder requirements and accreditation standards.
• Basic computer skills for utilizing a variety of computer systems.

Easterseals Midwest Core Competencies:

• Adaptability & Initiative: Adapts to changes in the work environment and prioritizes activities to manage work responsibilities.
• Communications: Communicates and exchanges accurate information through a variety of methods.
• Dependability: Executes job duties within specified timeframes in order to meet agency objectives.
• Job Knowledge & Quality: Maintains knowledge related to job responsibilities and ensures that output meets or exceeds established standards.
• Judgment & Problem Solving: Exhibits sound decision making skills and includes other staff in decision making when appropriate.
• Teamwork & Professionalism: Establishes and maintains effective relationships and works cooperatively in group situations.

Qualifications:

• Must have high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience providing direct supports to individuals with disabilities preferred.
• Must have basic computer skills and be able to work with a variety of computer systems.

Additional Requirements:

• This position may work day, evening, night and/or weekend hours depending on the needs of the organization. Overtime hours may be required depending on schedule and organizational need.
• This position requires driving personal or company vehicle. Transports individuals to appointments, community activities, job sites and other activities/programs.
• Must have reliable vehicle and maintain current driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Must complete and maintain all required trainings/certifications.
• Must maintain confidential information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

Working Environment:

• Work is primarily performed in individuals’ homes. This position also supports individuals in community locations.
• This job utilizes computer/electronic devices and medical/assistive devices.
• May have exposure to blood or bodily fluids, environmental conditions such as odors/dust/dirt/etc., inclement weather conditions, and loud noises when supporting individuals.

Physical Activities: This information reflects typical activities for the positon. Occasionally Frequently Constantly
Actual activities may vary depending upon individuals supported. Less than 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 More than 2/3 time spent time spent time spent

Moves and/or transports items, supplies and materials when supporting
X individuals. Unassisted lifting up to 35 lbs.

Transports, transfers and/or assists individuals when providing supports.
Unassisted lifting up to 35 lbs. and utilizes appropriate assistive device if X over 35 lbs.

Pushes individuals in wheelchairs. X

Navigates environment and moves about in the home and community
X locations.

Operates, positions and controls objects when modeling activities, teaching
X skills and providing supports.

Utilizes computer/electronic devices, medical/assistive devices, household
X appliances, etc.

Ascend/descend stairs when working in the home or community. X

Bends downward or lowers self in order to provide supports for individuals. X

Communicates and exchanges accurate information through a variety of methods, and communicates information when teaching skills and providing X supports.

Obtains and reviews information from a variety of sources, and observes
X behaviors when teaching skills and providing supports.

Surveys the environment, assesses individual’s behaviors and ensures the
X health and safety of individuals.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Easterseals Midwest will participate in an interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation can be provided in order for a prospective employee or current employee to perform the essential functions of the job. Easterseals Midwest encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with Human Resources.

Acknowledgment:
I have read this job description (or had it read to me) and I completely understand all my job duties and responsibilities. I am able to perform the essential functions as outlined with or without reasonable accommodation. I understand that my job may change on a temporary or regular basis according to the needs of my location, department or agency without it being specifically included in my job description. If I have any questions about job duties not specified on this job description that I am asked to perform, I should discuss them with my immediate supervisor or a member of the Human Resources staff.

Easterseals Midwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $22.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Saint Louis, MO 63146: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Experience:

• Caregiving: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)
• CPR Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: One location