Direct Support Staff (Rockville, MD)

Company: St. Coletta of Greater Washington
Location: Rockville
Posted on: August 3, 2022

Job Description:

Job Description Direct Support StaffUnder general supervision, an incumbent in this position is responsible for the safety and well being of adult program participants. Work requires patience, compassion, understanding and the desire to help individuals with disabilities become as self-sufficient as possible.Duties may include implementing Individual Service Plans to assist the adult program participant in everyday life skills such as personal hygiene, utilizing public transportation, attending community activities and performing volunteer and paid work; and assisting adult program participants in performing tasks associated with those activities. Such assistance may require the incumbent to lift and position physically disabled adults. Based on work location, Adult Program Assistant receives general supervision and direction from the Adult Program Coordinators.This position is classified as non-exempt and in accordance with the Federal regulations is eligible for overtime pay for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week. Note: Overtime must be pre-approved and time off from work either paid or unpaid is not considered in determining hours worked in a week.OTHER PERFORMANCE MEASURESSuccessful performance on the job requires following safety guidelines and policies to reduce accident or injury to self or program participants, dress standards, proper attendance and leave policies and compliance with other policies set forth in the Employee Handbook. Creativity, initiative and effective problem solving is also important to the success of the incumbent.EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSProvide daily assistance to adult participants in areas such as physical care, toileting, feeding, medication administration, mobility and other daily activities. Such assistance may require the ability to keep up with running program participants and or to lift or to assist with lifting adult program participants is essential to perform this task.Plan and provide age appropriate activities for adult program participants with Adult Program Coordinators.Research and plan activities and outings in the community for participants.Plan and provide activities that assist participants in achieving their goals.May provide job development, coaching, or support for paid and/or volunteer work for program participant(s).May provide initial and ongoing training, coaching, mentoring and counseling in areas of appropriate work attitudes and skills specific to the individuals employment.Provide instruction in use of public transportationAccompany and supervise participants on community outings or to job sites.Assist program participants on job sites with instruction, modeling, coaching and cueing as needed.Provide support and loom set-up as needed for adult program participants at Woodmont Weavers.Operate cash register, receive payment from customers for purchases, and reconcile receipts and revenue daily. Complete required reports and paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.Complete Support Analysis Reports daily.Ensure that the vocational and non-vocational needs of the participants are being met.Maintain accurate and up-to-date participant records and information as required.Communicate with key stakeholders as needed to report on the program participants progress, needs, health, etc.Develop and maintain appropriate working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, program participants, family members, governmental agencies, and general public.The essential functions of this position as described herein require the ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, crouching, crawling and brisk walking, and which may involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (40 lbs.).Most tasks require oral communication, visual and hearing perception, and the ability to get around the classrooms, cafeteria, gym, campus, etc.The ability to keep up with running program participants and or to lift or assist with lifting a program participant is essential.Act rationally, decisively, effectively and quickly under pressure.Perform other related duties as assigned.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSDemonstrated ability to fulfill the dexterity and physical requirements of the work, and effectively attend to the needs of adults with intellectual disabilitiesAbility to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers as well as program participants and their family members, residential providers and significant others as needed.Ability to read, understand, and follow directions found in manuals such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and other procedure manuals.Requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally and in writing.Ability to prepare and maintain required program records in a timely manner.Ability to assist supervising instructional staff in the preparation and/or organization of materials.Successful completion of the required training courses within specified period of employment. Training courses include, but are not limited to Orientation to MR, Human Rights, HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens, Incident Report Writing, Medication Administration, Case Notes and Confidentiality, Behavior Management, CPR, First Aid and Mandt training.A recent Tuberculosis screening to assure no significant risk to the health and safety of others.Successfully pass a criminal background investigation.EXAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIESKnowledge of conflict resolution and behavior management techniques.Some knowledge of Medicaid laws and compliance with such regulations.Some knowledge of the legal rights of program participants.Ability to operate general office equipment, cell phones, basic computer operation/literacy.Ability to apply principles to solve problems and deal with a variety of unpredictable situations where only limited standardization exists.Ability to interpret and follow instructions furnished in oral, written, diagram, or schedule form.Ability to read, interpret, and follow safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.Ability to write routine reports and correspondence using English grammar and spelling.EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEHigh School Diploma or GED and prior experience working with people with intellectual disabilities. Must be at least 18 years of age. A special skill in cooking, weaving, gardening, textile, or fine arts is a plus.Company DescriptionSt. Coletta is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that serves individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and secondary disabilities. Our Adult Program, located in Alexandria and Rockville, offers adults with intellectual disabilities opportunities to participate in vocational and life skills training, community integration, recreational activities, and consultative services in order to achieve greater independence.

Keywords: St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Rockville , Direct Support Staff (Rockville, MD), Other , Rockville, Maryland