Direct Support Specialist

Job Description:

While working toward obtaining education credentials required to become a Temporary Registered Alcohol & Drug Peer Support Specialist (TRAD PSS) as defined by the state regulations and the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors, acts exclusively in the capacity of a Direct Support Specialist as follows.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Teaches, models, and coaches’ activities of daily living (ADL) (e. g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal setting, nutrition needs); monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback. Plans and facilitates community-based activities (e. g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization); facilitates access to community resources (e. g., AA/NA meetings, school, job placement). Contributes to safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques. Serves as “ambassador” of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about SCS’s services and programming. Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served (e. g., school, landlord, family, transportation provider, employer). Provides transportation (e. g., driving SCS van or personal vehicle), ensuring adherence to standard safety practices (e. g., driver certification, seat belts, child safety seats); teaches and facilitates use of public transportation systems.  Provides personal care, as needed (e. g., personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, safe eating techniques).   Administers First Aid and CPR, as needed. Supervises self-administered medication, depending on the specific clinical program’s protocols. Identifies assigned clients’ food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.  Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services, with other SCS staff members and, as authorized, with non-SCS providers, to ensure appropriate level and quality of care.     Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms (e. g., attendance records, daily logs, shift/progress notes, incident reports, time reports in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards. Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law.    Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Maintains required education and required training documentation in record management systems to apply as Temporary RAD PSS within one month of hire*.
• Attest to one year recovery as defined by AODE regulations.
• Preferred two (2) years in recovery.

(*) Failure to successfully complete all requirements within the specified timeframe  will result in separation of employment.

EXPERIENCE              

• Zero to one year full-time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of a mental health, substance abuse, intellectual disability, or physical health condition.
• Ability to provide nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities. 
• Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals. 
• Good interpersonal skills. 
• Teaching skills. 
• Patience and empathy. 
• Maturity and judgment.

REQUIREMENTS

• Provides activities intended to assure successful community living through utilization of skills training
• Uses a variety of psychiatric rehabilitation techniques to teach and to assist clients with improving daily living skills, self-monitoring symptoms and side effects, emotional regulations skills, crisis coping and interpersonal skills
• Documents service to align with clients’ individualized, comprehensive Treatment Plan with intervention specifically addressing client’s progress towards a chosen and relevant Treatment Plan objective
• Understanding of normal growth and development, culture/ethnicity considerations, and mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorder diagnoses relevant to age groups/populations served
• Manages client caseload, client services, and activities to maximize direct care client time and reach expected productivity targets
• Understands role of OTRs to appropriately represent client need for CSA services required for authorization
• Provides formal training to Community Support Providers and Community Support Specialists and/or serves as mentor or shift leader

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position involves considerable physical exertion, lifting a maximum of 100 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. 
• May include frequent lifting of patients.
• 18 years of age or older. 
• Valid driver’s license. 
• Proof of automobile liability insurance. 
• Positive driving record. 

Time Type: