Direct Support Professional I/SSLC

Direct Support Professional I

This position is available for Morning, Evening and Night shifts on multiple homes.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) I works as part of a team that helps people with intellectual disabilities achieve their goals. This includes routine and emergency care, treatment, and training for people with intellectual disabilities in various settings. Responsibilities can vary, and may include such duties as grooming, bathing, feeding, observing and reporting individual’s conditions and behaviors, providing meaningful interactions with individuals, participating in individualized training and/or active treatment programs for both males and females. The DSP I document information on the person’s life, such as things that occur throughout their daily schedule, how they respond to activities on the home, training, and unusual incidents. Completion of work requires use of simple and/or routine duties, while decision making is based on guidance that will be provided to you as you are prepared for the job and from other professional staff on your team. Work is in a team environment with guidance provided through supervision and training.
This position is required to drive a state-owned vehicle.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Assists persons served with training to teach daily living and vocational skills.
Provides behavior intervention by following the recommended behavior intervention techniques to ensure that persons served are protected from harm or injury due to abuse/neglect, sexual incidents, serious injuries, or other sources of immediate danger and provides emergency care as needed.
Participates in delivering therapeutic and individualized training per the individual’s active treatment program, and documents individual progress.
Assists persons served (male and female) with carrying out necessary self-care skills (i.e., bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, toileting, feeding and grooming).
Ensures environment is free of safety hazards by correcting any hazards found and reporting them to the supervisor.
Observes persons served for signs and symptoms of disease, injury, reactions to medications, or other conditions that warrant medical intervention.
Provides assistance in the transporting of individuals going on scheduled activities and in emergency situations, as needed.
May prevent or manage aggressive behavior among individuals and administer CPR in emergency intervention.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Ability to learn patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, and developmental programs.

Ability to read, write and understand English to effectively communicate and carry out verbal and written instructions.

Ability to learn behavior modification techniques as required for training of individuals with certain specific behaviors.

Ability to provide individual care to administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to conduct Safe Use of Restraints (SUR), and to communicate effectively.

Ability to work effectively with others and as a member of a team and to accept supervision.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date, is required. Applicants with an out-of-state driver’s license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Selection Criteria:
High School Diploma or GED or previous employment experience.

Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities.

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

MOS Code:
There are no Military occupations that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position.
All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For additional information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.