The Direct Support Professional oversees the daily activities and needs of adults with developmental disabilities, providing supervision, support, and treatment interventions to facilitate skill acquisition and community participation. Key duties include preparing meals, maintaining a safe home environment, planning resident activities, and ensuring compliance with all relevant policies and licensing requirements.
Requirements summary
Candidates must be at least 23 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a valid driver's license, with advanced education preferred. Required capabilities include program management, adherence to licensing standards, and demonstrating core skills like technical knowledge, cultural awareness, and strong interpersonal communication.
high schoolInterpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsMedication AdministrationRecord KeepingDrivingAnalytical SkillsOrganizationMeal PreparationPlanningMonitoringDecision-MakingProgram ManagementCultural AwarenessAdherence To StandardsCNA CertificationSafety Instruction
Job description
Job Title
Direct Support Professional –
Supervised
Living
Department:
Intellectual and
Developmental
Disabilities
Ministry
Reports To:
Qualified
Professional (QP)
Revised
Date:
March 2019
FLSA
Status: Non-Exempt SUMMARY The Direct Support Professional must demonstrate the agency’s purpose, philosophy, policies and procedures. The Direct Support Professional works as a team member and oversees the day to day activities and needs of the developmentally disabled adults served. These activities relate to supervising and maintaining individual and group relationships at the assigned areas. The position typically requires 24 hour shifts, 8 days on duty and 6 days off duty. Private staff quarters are provided while on duty.
Qualifications
Must have the capability to manage, plan, organize, implement, monitor and maintain agency programs as well as adhere to accreditation standards and N.C. licensing requirements.
For Family Care Home, either 1) have CNA certification OR 2) be willing to take a personal care training course within the first six months (180 days) of employment, and state medication exam within the first three months (90 days) of employment.
Must be at least 23 years of age.
Have at least a high school diploma or equivalent with advanced education preferred. Must be able to read, write, and follow directions.
Have no substantiated findings of abuse or neglect listed on the North Carolina Health Care Personnel Registry.
No prior experience is required, but preferred for Direct Support Professional 1. Experience is required for Direct Support Professional 2 and Direct Support Professional 3.
Must demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities required by the individuals served and demonstrate core skills including: (1) technical knowledge; (2) cultural awareness; (3) analytical skills; (4) decision-making; (5) interpersonal skills; (6) communication skills; (7) clinical skills.
Meets qualifications of paraprofessional as outlined by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Education, experience, skills, and abilities compatible with the responsibilities outlined in this job description.
A Christian spirit and lifestyle evident in daily actions.
Must possess a valid driver’s license. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Daily Responsibilities:
Manifests in daily action a Christian spirit and lifestyle.
Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding of 1. the Agency’s structures services, policies and procedures 2. job performance requirements 3. related jobs
Provides support and supervision in a home environment to enable the residents to participate in community activities, social interactions in the home, and participate in a supportive, therapeutic relationship where the primary purpose of the service is care, habilitation, or rehabilitation.
Provides treatment interventions to ensure that the residents acquire skills necessary to compensate for or remediate functional problems as outlines in the person centered plan.
Provides supervision, both on an individual and group basis, oversees residents’ daily activities and personal care, assisting and supervising as needed.
Provides Christian role model and spiritual guidance and a Christian environment to include devotions and regular church attendance.
Prepares and provides well balanced meals as outlined by the agency’s menus and daily nutritional requirements of residents.
Establishes structure in the home to enable the residents to learn responsibilities and to become functioning members of the home.
Generates an atmosphere which helps each resident feel accepted and respected as a group member.
Maintains a safe home environment including instructing group in safety, fire prevention, fire drills and evacuation plans per policy and procedure.
Plans events for residents, including informal social time, special events and group activities as outlined by the QP, maintaining the required weekly amount of 14 hours.
Complies with safety in accordance with OSHA, food program, sanitation, building code, accreditation standards, and N.C. licensing requirements.
Provides transportation for residents to events, including but not limited to school, work, church, and medical appointments.
Purchases food, supplies, and equipment to meet the needs of each resident according to schedule maintained in group home and upon approval by the QP.
Greets visitors in a positive and hospitable manner.
Provides attention to the medical and dental health needs of each resident as outlined in policies and procedures and directed by the QP.
Maintains agency vehicle in good operating condition by ensuring regular maintenance service. Report any repairs needed to the QP.
Teaches weekly life skills curriculum to residents and allows for group participation and learning.
Meets the general qualifications for employment as outlined in the Agency’s personnel policies. Professionalism/Teamwork:
Represents the agency to various individuals, groups, and public in a professional manner.
Maintains professional standards as set by the agency.
Respects the rights of the total team and keeps other team members informed of any changes in the home.
Respects the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of staff members and residents and strives to create a positive relationship within BCH.
Participates in the agency’s Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program as needed. Policies and Procedures:
Maintains all handbooks and support materials.
Completes all paperwork necessary to document services provided and as required by licensure, regulations, and the agency to include, but not be limited to: goal tracking, personal care, resident log, community outings, therapeutic leave, contact notes, service notes, sign in/out form, MARs and all medication and medical services related paperwork, changeover forms, vehicle mileage, incident reports, fire and disaster drill documentation including extinguisher and emergency lights, resident cash and checking documentation, petty cash documentation, filing of documentation in appropriate locations; and other paperwork as needed by the agency or assigned by supervisor.
Maintain proper administration of ALL medications, medication storage, and medication records for each resident.
Participates in all required in-service training.
Assures all rights listed in the Domiciliary Home Resident’s Bill of Rights are exercised for each resident and gives assistance to residents in exercising these rights.
Responds to grievances according to the Agency’s policies and procedures.
Maintains confidentiality regarding each resident and his or her records. Supervision
Works under the direct supervision of the Qualified Professional (QP)/Administrator.
Participates in DDM and BCH orientation.
Participates in 90 day and annual performance evaluations.
Maintains an open line of communication with supervisor. Requests conferences, as needed, to be able to perform tasks effectively.
Participates in staff training opportunities provided by the Agency and any other agencies as requested by QP and/or required by State of North Carolina. EQUIPMENT: Ability to work with Microsoft applications and electronic health records. Able to operate standard kitchen equipment. Must be able to drive a 15 passenger van and get in and out of the van unassisted. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, write and complete necessary documentation. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisors, parents, teachers, counselors, and team members, and others within the scope of residential care. CONTACT WITH OTHERS: Regular contact with residents, families, teachers, counselors, supervisors, subordinates and/or other departments as well as outside individuals and groups to represent Baptist Children's Homes of NC, Inc. in a positive manner. Contacts outside of the agency, where improper handling of situations may adversely affect the agency’s image, even though the primary responsibility rests with a higher level of supervision. MENTAL / VISUAL / AUDITORY DEMAND: Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and ability to draw conclusions. CONFIDENTIAL DATA: Complies with agency policies and procedures concerning confidentiality and HIPAA regulations involving all aspects of client information, which include day to day care of the residents, case records, family information, medical information, psychological services, etc. which if disclosed, would have adverse internal and/or external effect, and could result in termination of employment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Direct Support Professional to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive and get in and out of a 15 passenger van unassisted, walk up and down stairs, sit, stand, bend, reach, talk and/or hear, assist residents with mobility, and lift up to 50 lbs. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee would encounter in any home environment while performing the essential functions of this job. Duties required are performed in a group home setting. The Direct Support Professional is required to live on the premises of Baptist Children’s Homes of NC, Inc., and to be available 24 hours a day while on duty.
