Direct Support Professional - Residential - Morgan County

• Description Direct Support Professionals support the emotional, physical and personal well-being of individuals with disabilities, encouraging growth.
• DSP’s enhance the ability of consumers to lead self-determining lives by providing the support and information necessary to build self-esteem, assertiveness and to make decisions.
• DSP’s use effective communication strategies and skills to establish collaborative relationships with consumers.
• DSP’s provide supports based on the unique needs of individual consumers and recognize the importance of friends, family and community relationships.
• Completes required training/education/certification, continues professional development, and keeps abreast of relevant resources and information.
• Provide opportunities and supports that help the individuals supported to be viewed with respect and as integral members of their communities.

Duties/Responsibilities

A. Consumer Focus 1. Assist and support consumers to develop strategies, make informed choices and follow through on responsibilities. 2. Promote consumer partnership in the design of support services. 3. Provide opportunities for consumers to be self-advocates by encouraging and assisting the consumer to speak on his or her own behalf. 4. Honor the choices and preferences of consumers. 5. Safeguard and respect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals supported. 6. Promote human, legal and civil rights of all people and assist others to understand these rights.

• B.
• Communication 1.
• Use effective communication skills to build rapport and channels of communication by recognizing and adapting to the range of consumer communication styles.
• 2.
• Maintain knowledge of and use modes of communication appropriate to the communication needs of consumers.
• 3.
• Use terminology appropriately, explaining as necessary to ensure consumer understanding.

• C.
• Facilitation 1.
• Maintain collaborative professional relationships with the consumer and all support team members (including family/friends) and follow ethical standards of practice.
• 2.
• Assist in the development of an individualized plan based on participant preferences, needs and interests.