Direct Support Professional

Sycamore Services is looking for Direct Support Professionals who want to make a difference in others' lives and your own by providing training in daily living skills and promoting community involvement for people with disabilities.

Supervises: None

Work Environment: 10% Office; 90% Community/Residential.

Reports To: Director, Program Coordinator, and Team Lead.

Location:

Purpose:

• Direct Support Professionals support the emotional, physical, and personal well-being of individuals with disabilities, encouraging growth.
• Direct Support Professionals enhance the ability of consumers to lead self-determining lives by providing the support and information necessary to build self-esteem, and assertiveness and to make decisions.
• Direct Support Professionals use effective communication strategies and skills to establish collaborative relationships with consumers.
• Provide opportunities and support that help the individuals supported to be viewed with respect and as integral members of their communities.

Responsibilities:

• Assist and support consumers to develop strategies, make informed choices and follow through on responsibilities.
• Promote consumer partnership in the design of support services.
• Provide opportunities for consumers to be self-advocates by encouraging and assisting the consumer to speak on his or her behalf.
• Honor the choices and preferences of consumers.
• Safeguard and respect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals supported.
• Promote human, legal and civil rights of all people and assist others to understand these rights.
• Use effective communication skills to build rapport and channels of communication by recognizing and adapting to the range of consumer communication styles.
• Keep knowledge of and use modes of communication appropriate to consumers' communication needs.
• Use terminology appropriately, explaining as necessary to ensure consumer understanding.
• Maintain collaborative professional relationships with the consumer and all support team members (including family/friends) and follow ethical standards of practice.
• Assist in the development of an individualized plan based on participant preferences, needs, and interests.
• Assist in the implementation of an individualized plan to achieve specific outcomes derived from consumers’ specific preferences, needs, and interests.
• Assist in the review of the achievement of individualized consumer outcomes.

Supports & Instruction:

• Assist the consumer in meeting his or her physical and personal management needs by teaching skills, providing support, and building on individual strengths and capabilities.
• Assist consumers with household management and transportation needs to maximize his or her skills, abilities, and independence.
• Support consumers in the development of friendships and other relationships.