Direct Support Professional
VOA Chesapeake

Job Info

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Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are responsible for supporting activities of people enrolled in programs and living in homes operated by Volunteers of America Chesapeake (VOAC). DSPs will teach independent living skills to the people and provide support with all activities of daily living. DSPs who are also Trained Medication Employees (TME) or (DSP/TMEs) have the added responsibilities of medication administration. These specialized staff, under direction of an RN, will administer medications in accordance with prescribing medical personnel. Additionally, the DSP will facilitate community integration, maintain the person's safety and well-being in accordance with the Scope of Work and VOAC policies and procedures while contributing to the upkeep of the program environments.

(Note: In the VOAC ICF programs, it is critical for assigned DSPs to understand that all people enrolled are considered "medically fragile and clinically involved." For example, peoples enrolled in these programs, in addition to having developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, may also have complex medical issues, use wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, feeding tubes, or various other adaptive equipment in their everyday lives.)

Qualifications

• Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age
• Earned a high school diploma or GED from an accredited educational institution
• Be able to read, write, and speak the English language and have the ability to communicate with the people to whom services are provided
• Perform basic computer skills
• Possess a current Trained Medication Employee (TME) license.

Preferred selection may be given to persons who have:

• Experience in a residential setting serving people with intellectual/developmental disabilities or with other types of special needs populations (rehabilitation settings, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, other behavioral health settings, etc.);
• Experience in working with people who are medically fragile and/or have physical limitations;
• Experience in working with Evans Class Monitors, Quality Trust, HRLA, PCR, DDS, DDA in the District of Columbia; and/or
• A current Trained Medication Employee (TME) license for positions in Waiver and Residential Habilitation environments.

Note: A bona fide occupation exception may be established for this position based upon sex/gender when it is necessary to ensure that the needs of the people supported are adequately met.

New Employees must successfully complete:

• All Volunteers of America Chesapeake orientation components
• All New Employee orientation examinations as required by the District of Columbia Department of Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
• The Food Handler Certification to operate in DC (Must be obtained within the first 3 months of employment).

*Note: All employees must maintain all on-going training, certifications, and be otherwise compliant and in good standing with all program requirements as a condition of continued employment. For DSP/TMEs, this includes all aspects of the TME licensing process.

**Note: DSPs working in ICF environments may not administer medications under any circumstances, as this is the responsibility of licensed nursing staff. However, DSPs in Waiver environments, who are currently TME licensed, are required to facilitate medication administration.

OTHER:

• Acceptable background checks in the following:
  • Standard company pre-employment checks
  • District of Columbia Department of Health Criminal Background Check (DCDOHCBC)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Fingerprint
  • Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Exclusion Checks
• Negative Drug Screening
• Annual Negative TB Screening and Health Certificate clearance
• CPR/First Aid Certification must be acquired and maintained in good standing once employed
• Driving: Employees must be privileged to drive according to the criteria set forth by VOAC MVR guidelines. Employees must be approved to drive by the VOAC Baseline Criteria and Driver designation review criteria listed below.
  • Possess a valid driver's license in jurisdiction of residence and have been licensed for at least 3 years

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