Community Support Systems Provider Direct Support Professional - AEDD

Job Summary: The Community Support Systems Direct Support Professional (CSSP DSP) provides the necessary support for an individual with a developmental disability to live in an independent situation (e.g. apartment, duplex, home) and or family environment. These services enable persons with developmental disabilities to live, work and enjoy recreational opportunities in the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide support to beneficiaries including health and independent living skills/activities of daily living.
• Assist beneficiaries with maintaining appropriate behavior and showing respect for other individuals at home and in the community.
• Assist beneficiaries in daily living skills as outlined in the annual Medicaid Waiver Person Centered Service Plan, Outcomes and Goals section.
• Increase beneficiary community awareness by participating in outings to include but not limited to: shopping, social/community events, appointments, vocation, banking, church of choice (if applicable) and other locations of interest.
• Provide transportation, as needed via personal vehicle. In order to provide transportation services, you must, at all times, have the AR State minimum level of auto liability insurance requirements and a valid AR driver's license.
• Maintain records of money spent for beneficiaries served to turn into the Direct Care Supervisor.
• Provide input and recommendations for beneficiaries during the Annual PCSP plan.
• Observe and document beneficiary's daily progress on timesheets, behavior incident reports, etc.
• Complete required training. This training includes but is not limited to: orientation, beneficiary-specific training, Defensive Driver training, 1st Aid and CPR, in-service training, annual training, and additional training as required.
• All weekly casenotes, medication and travel documentation must be completed and submitted within Casenotes by 10:00am every Monday. All casenotes should be completed during the scheduled shift.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively with beneficiaries and to understand written activity plans, execute instructions, and document services delivered.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Confidentiality - All employees of AEDD have a legal and ethical responsibility to maintain beneficiary privacy, including obligations to protect the confidentiality of Beneficiary Information and other Confidential Information such as financial data and operational information pertaining to the organization. Unauthorized release of information such as information regarding staff, beneficiaries, or internal business of AEDD constitutes breach of confidentiality. This includes release to other beneficiaries, other staff, family members, or members of the public.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; and supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; and supports and respects diversity.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; and uses equipment and materials properly. Employees may not talk on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle while on company business unless it is safe to do so. Hands free should be used at all times if available. Texting or emailing (reading or writing) while driving is not allowed.

Attendance/Punctuality - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee. Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start work. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule. Late arrival, early departure, or other absences from scheduled hours are disruptive and must be avoided.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: High School Diploma; have successfully completed a GED; have minimum of one year of relevant, supervised work experience with a public health, human services or other community service agency; or have a minimum of two (2) years verifiable verifiable experience with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: CPR/First Aid through American Heart Association, Medic First Aid or American Red Cross, Arkansas Driver's License, and auto liability insurance, as necessary.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out detailed and uninvolved written or oral instructions.

Safety Sensitive Position:Pursuant to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, the Direct Support Professional is classified as holding a "safety sensitive position." The amendment states, in relevant part, that safety sensitive positions include positions in which "a lapse of attention could result in injury, illness, or death, including without limitation a position that includes operating, repairing, maintaining, or monitoring of heavy equipment, machinery, aircraft, motorized watercraft, or motor vehicles as part of the job duties," or positions that require any of the following activities: carrying a firearm; performing life-threatening procedures; working with confidential information or documents pertaining to criminal investigations; or working with hazardous or flammable materials, controlled substances, food, or medicine. See Ark. Const. Amend. 98, § 2(25). All

Direct Support Professional must refrain from reporting to work or being subject to duty while their ability to perform job duties is impaired due to the use of alcohol or other drugs. All Direct Support Professional are prohibited from testing positive for metabolites of substances that are listed in the schedules of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Arkansas Uniform Controlled Substances Act, regardless of whether the employee possesses a medical marijuana registry identification card. See id. at § 3(f)(3)(B)(iii). This policy applies during all work hours, whenever conducting business for AEDD.

Any Direct Support Professional who possesses a medical marijuana registry identification card must disclose that fact to the Human Resources Department. Direct Support Professionals who fails to disclose his or her possession of a registry identification card may be subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee frequently is required to use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch and talk or hear.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

While performing the duties of this position the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

The employee must have a communication device, such as a personal cell phone, with them at all times while providing company related transportation services. The employee is expected to provide their personal cell phone number to their immediate supervisor. The employee may not talk on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle while on company business unless it is safe to do so, hands free (Bluetooth) must be used at all times. Texting or emailing (reading or writing) while driving is not allowed.