Direct Support Specialist (20100109) Job in Spring Grove 17362, Pennsylvania Us
General Summary:
Mental Health Direct Support Specialist for the Long Term Structured Residence (LTSR) is responsible for integrating the Philosophies of Recovery and Resiliency while working with individuals who are living in a community residential program or in their own home setting. The Direct Support Specialist participates in the individual’s development of interdependence, self-directed care, individually created support systems and community involvement.
Awake Overnight position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assists individuals to live more independently within the community residential program.
- Assists individuals to adjust to life as an independent member of the community.
- Assists individuals in the development of appropriate social, money management, housekeeping, hygiene, and other skills that are necessary for living independently in the community.
- Assists individuals where applicable in the management of the symptoms of their mental illness, to monitor their own medications and establish their own recovery plan.
- Updates and completes all daily, weekly, and monthly records, reports, logs, progress notes, location reports, and medical records in a timely fashion.
- Communicates and cooperates with on-site team, individual’s family, involved agencies, and the community in providing relevant information when needed and applicable.
- Supervises and/or completes all duties and responsibilities in the daily operation of the residence in the 24 hour daily operation of the location.
- Conducts fire drills and manages emergency situation during assigned work shift
- Adheres to Department of Public Welfare Regulatory requirements
- Encourages that individuals adhere to all dietary guidelines
- Maintains the physical environment in a manner that does not create a health and safety risk for others.
- Participates in the development and implementation of each individual’s Support/Recovery Plan.
- Transport individuals to services/appointment in personal or CSG cars/vans and assists individuals in and out of vehicles.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of basic math and the ability to maintain financial records.
- Knowledge and the ability to utilize good listening skills and comprehend verbal instructions given in English.
- Ability to learn the recovery process.
- Ability to learn positive reinforcement techniques.
- Ability to learn how to support individuals with mental illness.
- Ability to understand and relate to persons who have mental illness and/or mental retardation/ intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Ability to create and foster a home environment that operates under the main components of real choices, respect, and the development of meaningful relationships.
- Ability to learn and adhere to a professional code of ethics.
- Ability to learn the fundamental principles and practices of treating individual with disabilities, including appropriate medical terminology and programming.
- Ability to learn the regulations as they pertain to job assignments.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to observe and assess the needs of others.
- Ability to perform first aid/CPR and administer medication if permitted by regulations.
- Ability to read and comprehend medical orders and prescription.
- Ability to remain awake during all work hours unless designated as sleep time as a part of the schedule.
- Ability to organize, prioritize and multi-task work assignments.
- Ability to work alone with minimal supervision.
- Ability to read and comprehend instructions written in English.
- Ability to write legibly in English in a clear, concise, and logical manner.
- Ability to speak clearly and express self effectively in English.
Minimum Education, Credentials, and Experience:
High school diploma or equivalency and 12 semester hours of college training in a mental illness related field;
Or
High school diploma or equivalency and 6 month of formal training in mental illness or related field.
Special Requirements:
Must be able to work flexible hours to meet individual’s and program’s needs.
Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and access to a reliable vehicle to attend trainings, meetings, and/or transport individual to appointments.
Must have the ability to obtain clearances as defined by regulations.