Direct Support Professional (Adult Program Assistant)

Adult Program Assistant Definition Under general supervision, an incumbent in this position is responsible for the safety and well-being of adult program participants. Work requires patience, compassion, understanding, and the desire to help individuals with disabilities become as self-sufficient as possible.

To apply, please follow this link: https://www.stcoletta.org/careers/

Duties may include providing support to participants working in the Weaving Shop, or implementing Person-Centered Plans to assist the adult program participants in everyday life skills such as personal hygiene, utilizing public transportation, attending community activities, and performing volunteer and paid work; and assisting adult program participants in performing tasks associated with those activities. Such assistance may require the incumbent to lift and position physically disabled adults.

Based on work location, Adult Program Assistant receives general supervision and direction from the Adult Program Coordinators, Administrative Coordinator, and Program Director. This position is classified as non-exempt and in accordance with Federal regulations is eligible for overtime pay for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week. Note: Overtime must be pre-approved and time off from work either paid or unpaid is not considered in determining hours worked in a week.

Other Performance Measures: Successful performance on the job requires following safety guidelines and policies to reduce accident or injury to self or program participants, dress standards, proper attendance and leave policies, and compliance with other policies set forth in the Employee Handbook. Creativity, initiative, and effective problem-solving are also important to the success of the incumbent.

Essential Functions:
? Provide daily assistance to adult participants in areas such as physical care, toileting, feeding, medication administration, mobility, and other daily activities. Such assistance may require the ability to keep up with running program participants and or to lift or assist with lifting adult program participants is essential to perform this task.
? Plan and provide age-appropriate activities for adult program participants with Adult Program Coordinators.
? Research and plan activities and outings in the community for participants.
? Actively participate in the swimming program, which includes wearing appropriate swimwear and assisting assigned program participants while in the water.
? Plan and provide activities that assist participants in achieving their goals.
? May provide job development, coaching, or support for paid and/or volunteer work for program participant(s).
? May provide initial and ongoing training, coaching, mentoring, and counseling in areas of appropriate work attitudes and skills specific to the individual’s employment.
? Provide instruction in the use of public transportation
? Accompany and supervise participants on community outings or job sites.
? Assist program participants on job sites with instruction, modeling, coaching, and cueing as needed.
? Provide support and loom set-up as needed for adult program participants at Woodmont Weavers.
? Operate cash register, receive payment from customers for purchases, and reconcile receipts and revenue daily. ? Complete required reports and paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
? Complete Support Analysis Reports daily.
? Ensure that the vocational and non-vocational needs of the participants are being met.
? Maintain accurate and up-to-date participant records and information as required.
? Communicate with key stakeholders as needed to report on the program participant’s progress, needs, health, etc.
? Develop and maintain appropriate working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, program participants, family members, governmental agencies, and the general public.
? The essential functions of this position as described herein require the ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and brisk walking, and which may involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (45 lbs.).
? Most tasks require oral communication, visual and hearing perception, and the ability to get around the classrooms, cafeteria, gym, campus, etc.
? The ability to keep up with running program participants and or to lift or assist with lifting a program participant is essential.
? Act rationally, decisively, effectively, and quickly under pressure.
? Perform other related duties as assigned. Examples of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
? Knowledge of conflict resolution and behavior management techniques.
? Some knowledge of Medicaid laws and compliance with such regulations.
? Some knowledge of the legal rights of program participants.
? Ability to operate general office equipment, cell phones, and basic computer operation/literacy.
? Ability to apply principles to solve problems and deal with a variety of unpredictable situations where only limited standardization exists.
? Ability to interpret and follow instructions furnished in oral, written, diagram, or schedule form.
? Ability to read, interpret, and follow safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
? Ability to write routine reports and correspondence using English grammar and spelling.

Required Qualifications:
? Demonstrated ability to fulfill the dexterity and physical requirements of the work, and effectively attend to the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities
? Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers as well as program participants and their family members, residential providers, and significant others as needed.
? Ability to read, understand, and follow directions found in manuals such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and other procedure manuals.
? Requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
? Ability to prepare and maintain required program records in a timely manner.
? Ability to assist supervising instructional staff in the preparation and/or organization of materials.
? Successful completion of the required training courses within a specified period of employment. Training courses include but are not limited to Orientation to MR, Human Rights, HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens, Incident Report Writing, Medication Administration, Case Notes and Confidentiality, Behavior Management, CPR, First Aid, and Mandt training.
? A recent Tuberculosis screening to assure no significant risk to the health and safety of others.
? Successfully passing a criminal background investigation and pre-employment and random drug screening.
? COVID-19 Vaccination Minimum Acceptable Education and Experience Associate’s degree or a minimum of a High School Diploma and prior experience working with an Adult population with intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities. At least 18 years of age. A special skill in cooking, weaving, gardening, textile, or fine arts is a plus.

Work Hours:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 8:30am to 4:30pm
Tuesdays 8:30am to 5pm
Fridays 8:30am to 4pm

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions. Work involves interaction with individuals who may exhibit aggressive behaviors due to their disability. 

To apply, please follow this link: https://www.stcoletta.org/careers/