Enhanced Direct Support Professional

Job Details Job Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: High School:

Salary Range: $22.50 - $22.50 Hourly Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services Locations: Dormont, Carnegie, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Swissvale, Penn Hills, Churchill, Bridgeville, Lawrenceville, Whitehall, Plum, & More! Shifts: M-F; 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7am (40hrs) OR Weekends; 7am-11p (32hrs), 11pm-7am (16hrs)

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Retirement Plan, Short Term & Long Term Disability Coverage, Tuition Reimbursement, & more! REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field preferred, and one year experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, and/or Prader-Willi Syndrome -OR- high school diploma and two years’ experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities and autism or related field, and/or Prader-Willi Syndrome accepted.

• Enhanced Direct Support Professionals working in the Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) Program play an important role in our unique program that blends careful meal planning with physical exercise within a meaningful community living environment. This contributes to fulfilling the mission of Mainstay, which is to provide life-long, high-quality support services, ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities and autism lead fulfilling lives and realize their vision of a desirable future. The professional does this by supporting people with daily activities such as preparing meals, administering medication, and providing transportation to work or community activities to promote socially valued roles and independence. The specialist offers direct care, support, and services to people with intellectual disabilities and autism in daily living, social, and recreational activities.

Responsibilities:

Providing Supports, Interventions & Services to Individuals:

• Supporting individuals with typical daily activities.
• Supporting effective communication.
• Assessing needs for needed interventions and supports.

Providing crisis prevention and intervention services.

Maintaining Health & Safety of the Individuals:

• Monitoring food intake and implementation of a PWS specific low-calorie diet.
• Assisting the person supported with activities of daily living such as grooming, bathing, dressing, etc.
• Implementing positive behavior support strategies to manage complex, challenging behaviors to support positive behavior and outcomes.

Participating in additional learning opportunities related to supporting a person with PWS. Offering individuals both emotional and physical support for maximum independence & community inclusion.

• Supporting overall health and wellness for individuals (such as daily exercise, healthy eating, actively engaging with life around them or life in their neighborhood or community, etc.).

Safely and effectively managing and administering medications in accordance with all Federal, State, and local regulations, as well as all Mainstay policies and procedures. Demonstrating the principles and values that produce fair and honest behavior; stepping forward and taking a stand for what is right when made aware of unethical actions or conduct below standards; consistently complying with all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations, policies, and procedures, and reporting any concerns about compliance or business practices.

Completing all required annual training including compliance and integrity training.

Engaging Individuals in Socially Values Roles:

• Supporting individuals in building a network of community support/inclusion.

Advocating for individuals while striving for maximum independence and community inclusion. Empowering Individuals to make their own choices. Offering education, training, and self-development for individuals in accordance with the ISP.

• Building and maintaining relationships with important people in the individual's life (family, friends, supporters, etc.).

Offering individuals both emotional and physical support for maximum independence & community inclusion.

• Supporting the individual to engage/participate in community and organizational activities.

Care for individuals with dignity and respect while giving individuals an opportunity to exercise choice. Encourage, guide and train individuals to develop competencies, including daily living skills and interpersonal skills.

Documentation & Administrative Requirements:

• Maintain confidentiality of all individuals’ information.
• Maintaining the content, integrity, and security of all documentation, whether in paper or electronic format, that comprises the health and care record(s) of service and support delivered. All documentation must include language that is person centered, 9and trauma informed.

Demonstrating proficiency in the use of technology in documentation (including but not limited to electronic client records software, Microsoft Office, email, payroll, time keeping, etc.). Accurately and thoroughly completes and submits timely, all required documentation in accordance with organization, program, and payer specific, policies, practices, procedures, and guidelines.

• Communicate information, problems, and concerns with supervisors and peers, as necessary.

Programming:

• Assess and evaluate individuals’ behaviors and skills.
• Implement individuals’ outcome action plans outlined in the Individual Support Plan (ISP), as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Complete written service notes and report billing hours as directed.

Professional Responsibilities:

Attend and actively participate in scheduled, mandatory staff meetings and meetings with the individuals’ support team, as necessary.

• Maintain appropriate professional conduct and dress.
• Participate productively and cooperatively on the staff team, with individuals, with individuals’ family members, the community, vocational providers, and educational providers.
• Follow the agency’s Code of Conduct.
• Assist in training new staff.

Miscellaneous:

• Responsible for the completion of other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Associate Coordinator, and Program Coordinator.

Core Competencies Person Centered Care: The skill of providing a holistic care approach by understanding all person’s beliefs and values. Teamwork: The skill of demonstrating and fostering cooperation, communication, trust and consensus among individuals and groups. Ethics/Responsibility/Integrity: The skill of gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, authenticity, and acceptance of responsibility.

• Communicates Effectively: The skill of communicating both orally and in written formal in a professional and concise manner

Physical Requirements:

Vision Acuity for the Position: Vision is Essential Vision is Non-Essential Environmental Conditions: 90% Inside – 10% Outside Workers may be Exposed to: Cold Heat Dust Mist Odors Physical Requirements for the Position: ability to lift 50 pounds regularly, ability to respond quickly to sounds, ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces, ability to see and respond to dangerous situations, ability to work in extreme weather, ability to wear personal protective gear correctly most of the day

Qualifications:

Must be 18 years of age. Valid driver's license required. Eligibility for Act 33/34 clearances. Pre-employment drug screen required. High School Diploma/GED

Experience with adaptive equipment preferred.:

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field preferred, and one year experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, and/or Prader-Willi Syndrome -OR- high school diploma and two years’ experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, and/or Prader-Willi Syndrome accepted.

Employment with Mainstay Life Services is an “at will” relationship. “At will” means that employment is of no specific length. It also means that employees and Mainstay Life Services both retain the discretionary right to terminate employment at any time if either is dissatisfied for any reason. I have reviewed the information contained in this job description and agree to accept the specific duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by my supervisor.

Mainstay is an Equal Opportunity Employer All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.