Careers

Direct Support Professional

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  2. Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D.
  3. Must be at least 18 years of age.
  4. Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license, have access to a reliable, insured means of transportation for job-related use.
  5. Clean criminal background and Macomb Community Mental Health Office of Recipient Rights history.
  6. Good verbal, written, interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.
  7. Reliable, dependable, flexible, punctual, and professional.
  8. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull or move at least 25 pounds and regularly walk, stand, bend, and/or reach for periods of time.
  9. Ability to work in a variety of situations with integrity, a positive attitude, and composure during emergency situations with an ability to follow agency procedures and demonstrate appropriate role modeling behaviors.
  10. Attend all required trainings (Recipient Rights, Corporate Compliance, HIPAA, etc.)
  11. Cooperate and collaborate with colleagues from various departments.
  12. Complete written documentation in accordance with established agency procedures and timelines.
  13. Email address and phone for communication purposes.
  14. Cooperate with the payroll department in preparing all paperwork and when possible maintain Direct Deposit/ACH bank account or card.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties and responsibilities of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) are listed below. Each DSP will be trained and each task will be outlined in the Person-Centered Plan (PCP) for the person with a disability you are assisting.

Community Support Specialist (CSS):

  1. This position takes place in the home of an individual with a disability. You could work with one or more individuals to assist them within the home and out in the community.
  2. Assist, guide, remind, and prompt individuals with disabilities during activities of daily living (ADLs) as outlined in a person-centered plan (PCP). ADLs consist of but are not limited to the following: hygiene assistance, meal preparation, laundry, toileting while at home or in the community.
  3. Respect an individual’s choice of what, where and how they live.
  4. Provide intervention services when behavioral supports are outlined in their plan.
  5. Read through and be familiar with every individual’s person-centered plan with whom you work.
  6. Facilitate community inclusion across all domains of an individual’s life.
  7. Assist and provide ongoing supervision with safe and proper choices during daily living activities (communication, safety in the community, safety within the home, etc.).
  8. This position requires the transportation of individuals.

Community Based Instructor (CBI):

  1. The difference between a Community Support Specialist and a Community Based Instructor is that this position will be in the community teaching ADLs with a group of individuals with disabilities. All of the above (CSS requirements will be the same with a CBI).
  2. Emphasis will be on learning about employment within the community.
  3. This position requires transportation of individuals.

Job Coach (JC):

  1. Evaluate and train an individual focusing on their strengths and weaknesses in order to build the vocational skills needed for employment.
  2. Provide hands-on training to improve vocational skills where needed.
  3. Produce record keeping of all details of the evaluation and the training provided.
  4. Provide transportation to and from employment sites for the duration of the assessment if needed.
  5. Maintain the safety and welfare of the individual being assessed during the community based vocational assessment.

Skills Program Instructor (SPI):

  1. Provide instruction and support for small groups of individuals with disabilities in the Skills Center, area of employment, recreation, independent living, and education.
  2. Demonstrate appropriate role modeling behaviors to promote the development of correct work habits and attitudes.
  3. Provide support in organizing and administering all phases of instruction in the Skills Center.
  4. Assisting with ADLs (meal preparation, eating, learning, toileting, time management, etc.).
  5. Cooperate with all safety and building requirements while assisting the individuals with whom you will work.