SLS Direct Support Professional

Education

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent experience.
• Successful completion of Certified Nursing Assistant/Aide training preferred.

Experience

• Previous experience in health care, human services, or nursing home setting preferred

Other Requirements

• A criminal and Motor Vehicle record which meets company standards.
• A valid Colorado Driver’s license.
• Verified legal status to work in the United States.
• Basic computer ability.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Requires concentrated visual and auditory attention; requires frequent standing and walking; lifting and transferring clients on a as needed basis, carrying, reaching, pushing, and pulling; ability to work in environments that could include changes in temperature/humidity, dust, odors, noise, etc.; ability to work with individuals with cognitive disabilities, a variety of illnesses, and medical conditions; working indoors, outdoors, and in vehicles; works around and with others, and alone; may have to walk on slippery and /or uneven walking surfaces; expected to assist individuals receiving services with entering and exiting the vehicle, toileting, cleaning, bathing, cooking and other basic life skills.

Essential Functions

The Supported Living Services Direct Support Professional (SLS DSP) is a responsible for assisting individuals with disabilities in leading self-directed lives and contributing to the community. The SLS DSP assists with activities of daily living and encourages attitudes and behaviors that enhance community inclusion. An SLS DSP will provide supports at home, work, school, church, and other community places. An SLS DSP will also act as an advocate for the individuals in communicating their needs, self-expression and goals. The SLS DSP is responsible for communication with staff and among departments regarding relevant information pertaining to the individuals’ health, needs and other concerns.

Rights Protecting and respecting the rights of individuals served

• Respect each resident’s rights, within the program, and treat all clients with dignity and respect, at all times.
• Respond as a Mandatory Reporter. Report all incidents of suspected client rights violations, mistreatment, abuse, neglect or exploitation immediately according to Colorado state law and MVDS policies and procedures.
• Respect the values, opinions, preferences and choices of individuals.
• Comply immediately with all requests for information and/or face-to-face interviews during investigations of mistreatment, abuse, neglect or exploitation (MANE).

Person Centered Focusing on what is important to an individual receiving services

• Educate and encourage all individuals to make informed choices regarding their lives.
• Provide opportunities and choices for growth and development based on client interests, preferences and input.
• Ensure access to community resources based on client interests, preferences and input.
• Encourage residents to take ownership in maintaining their environment.
• Provide emotional support, social guidance and positive role modeling.

Safety (Risk Management) Protecting individuals from harm

• Assist clients to maintain a safe and clean living environment.
• Provide safe transportation of persons receiving services, drive defensively and follow all traffic laws at all times.
• Follow all safety guidelines including, but not limited to healthy lifting, transferring, and back care at all times.
• Identify and solve potential safety hazards, repair or maintenance needs or immediately report them to the In Home Services Manager.
• In case of emergency, follow the emergency plan identified for the facility; notify appropriate authorities and Mountain Valley staff as soon as possible.
• Ensure the vehicles are well-maintained and cared for.

Individualized Plan and Care Coordination

• Participate in the development of the Individualized Plan (IP) for each resident by participating in the biannual assessment and development of new goals.
• Provide services and implement goals in accordance with the Individualized Plan for each individual supported.
• Communicate with the Interdisciplinary Team as needs change.
• Demonstrate competence and good decision making in traumatic situations including medical emergencies, physical aggression, or other maladaptive behavior.
• Assist individual residents with physical and personal care as identified in the Individualized Plan (IP).
• Assist non-ambulatory residents with physical transfer as necessary, including, but not limited to, pushing wheelchairs, assisting someone in standing from a seated or laying position and entering and exiting vehicles.

Documentation

• Review necessary documentation at start of shift and enter necessary documentation at by the end of shift per MVDS policies and procedures.
• Read emails and respond accordingly in a timely manner.

Health & Medical Needs

• Communicate with the Program Manager and/or the Medical Office about observed medical, physical and emotional resident needs in a timely manner.
• Follow all health protocols and care plans.

Other Required Duties

Standards of Behavior/Conduct

• Respond to all requests for information or communication in a timely manner.
• Follow all policies within the MVDS Employee Handbook.
• Report all on-the-job injuries to immediate supervisor and Director of Human Resources within 24 hours of the occurrence and provide a detailed account of the events leading to the injury.

Attendance and Scheduling

• Report for work on-time and as scheduled.
• Enter daily, accurate timekeeping records in timekeeping database.
• Attend all regular staff meetings and other meetings as requested by supervisory or administrative staff members.
• Work schedule as assigned.
• Have all over-time hours pre-approved or demonstrate they were due to an emergency.
• Get all time-off requests pre-approved.
• Do not take unpaid time off without prior approval.
• Work at any MVDS facility and be responsible for own transportation to work.

Competencies

• Complete all mandatory new hire requirements and training as identified by the State of Colorado and Mountain Valley’s training requirements within 90 days of hire and maintain courses and certifications as required.
• Maintain skills with computers, take advantage of new technology, learn new tools quickly, use technology to enhance job performance and increase productivity. Maintain current understanding of technical processes/equipment.

Adherence to policies and procedures

• Adhere to MVDS policies and procedures outlined in the policy manual, Employee Handbook, and other employee policies.
• Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned to ensure effective functioning of Mountain Valley’s programming.

NOTE: This position description is intended to indicate the basic nature of the position and to provide examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all employees within the position perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.