Direct Support Professional; CNA​/DSP

The Association for Individual Development (AID) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower people with physical, developmental, intellectual, mental health challenges; those who have suffered a trauma; and those at risk, to enjoy lives of dignity and purpose. We are looking for a Direct Support Professional who demonstrates this mission and wants to work for an organization that makes a difference in the community.

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for the implementation of the client’s Individualized Strategies, under the direction of a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional. The DSP demonstrates this through daily documentation of service provided including but not limited to recreation, leisure, and activities of daily living for each client to whom they are responsible. The DSP will assure client rights, dignity, and privacy, while maintaining a clean and safe environment.

The DSP may work with clients with maladaptive behaviors, which can include but are not limited to verbal aggression, physical aggression, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, and elopement. The DSP may also work with clients who require intensive care including but not limited to toileting and bathing, special diets with personal and/or enteral feeding, and enhanced funding. The DSP is assigned to a primary location, however, must be able to work across any site assigned, as determined by program needs.

When working at a location where individuals with enhanced supports reside, the DSP will receive a differential of $1.00/per hour.
When working between the hours of 6:00 pm – 6:00 am Monday-Friday and/or all day Saturday and Sunday, the DSP will receive a differential of $2.00/per hour.

The DSP will provide care for one or more clients who receive food and/or medications via enteral nutrition delivery (g-tube). Additional on-the-job certification is required for these positions. The DSP may also concurrently work as a DSP House Manager or DSP Lead.

• 21 Days of Paid Time Off plus 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid training
• Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, Critical Illness and accident insurance
• 401K with a 3.5% company contribution after one year.

High School Diploma or GED.

Experience working with developmentally disabled adults preferred

No medical restrictions which would prohibit implementation of a lift/transfer or implementation of behavioral programs.

Push, pull, reach, stoop/bend over and use step stool daily

Perform daily housekeeping tasks and assist clients in independent living skills.

Physically assist clients in situations including, but not limited to: getting in and out of van, bathtub, shower, or bed regularly.

Implement behavior support strategies and respond to emergency behavioral issues.

Requires significant walking and standing on a daily basis.

Household appliances including stove, microwave, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and counter top appliances such as microwaves.

Alarm Systems for monitoring fire, weather, security, etc.

Telephone and voicemail.

Adaptive equipment as defined in individual strategies including hoyer lift and accessories, shower chairs or benches, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.

Agency vehicles with and without wheelchair lifts.

Must be able to lift or move up to 50 pounds to assist in two-person lift or with use of adaptive equipment.

Pass S-TOFHLA literacy test.

Must complete required DSP and Medication Administration Training, including, CPR, First Aid, Infection Control, OIG Rule 50, and CPI.

Must maintain medication administration authorization by following all policies and procedures.

Must complete additional on-the-job certification for enteral nutrition tasks.

Must maintain certification by following all policies and procedures as well as performing enteral nutrition tasks (feeding, medication administration, pump operation, flushing, and dressing care) a minimum of two times per month.

Evening, weekend, overnight, and holiday hours required; the DSP schedules are determined by client and program needs and are subject to change.

Individual must have and maintain a valid Illinois driver’s license.

The use of a personal automobile, and the minimum amount of automobile liability insurance as defined in the Association’s personnel policy is required.

Must transport clients in personal automobile when necessary.

Must have access to a personal cell phone with ability to utilize downloaded applications for secure messaging.

Must meet and maintain IDOT Approved Driver Status.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Working scheduled hours at various locations as determined by client and program needs is required.

Must attend scheduled in-service trainings.

If we seem like a good fit, consider joining our growing team of compassionate, hardworking, and caring individuals, and start your path toward a…