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Job Description

**Position Summary** **:** The Direct Support Professional Float provides a range of services from personal care to behavioral support in a 24/7 care setting to assist adults with varying levels of developmental, cognitive and medical disabilities as well as Mental Illness. The Direct Support staff assist clients with the goals stated in their customized plan of care through providing mentoring/skills training, supervision, and companionship.

Major Responsibilities:

Assists with routine personal cares for the clients in the assigned home. Prepares meals, administers medications and enhances the emotional well being by organizing community outings both in and outside of the home. Assists with routine household cares for the clients in the assigned home. Launders client bedding, clothing, etc. Maintains the living area of the home and client's living areas in the established cleanliness standards. Keeps walkways free of obstructions, snow, and ice. Assistance with client behavior by becoming familiar with the Client treatment plan and reviewing client plans on a weekly basis for any modifications.Develops and maintains a therapeutic and skill building relationship with clients, applying behavior modification techniques in working with clients, including positive reinforcement, modeling appropriate behavior, extinction, shaping and fading; ensuring compliance with client rights at all times pursuant to Catholic Charities policies, DHS requirements, and SPDD policies & procedures. Responds to challenging behaviors: staff will successfully interrupt or prevent the use of challenging behaviors by responding in a skillful, respectful and professional manner by: Becomes knowledgeable about the patterns and triggers to challenging behavior & plan accordingly. Deescalates challenging behavior by acting quickly to modify conditions (environmental, social or other conditions that may contribute to the behavior); Recognizes the communicative intent of the behavior and suggesting and/or demonstrating alternative behavior that will help the individual meet their needs in appropriate ways. Identifies incremental steps to behavior change and teaching the next positive step for the client in behavior management.

+ Provides medication administration as directed by client treatment plans and in accordance with Nursing staff’s training/direction. Provides a client’s health care/medical needs as directed by the Homes Nursing staff & Treatment Plan; observes clients for any changes in medical condition, and notifies the House Supervisor/nursing staff prior to shift ending when changes observed. Observes and documents possible medication related behavioral changes and assesses need for intervention.

+ Written Documentation: Does a daily review (and sign off) of the communication logs. Completes Progress Notes for each client such that client cares, progress, and/or problems to report are recorded within the required timeframe. Communicates with external parties (including family members, medical professionals, caseworkers, in a professional and positive tone, when necessary. Informs the supervisor of all concerns/issues that arise for client care including behavior, medical, familial, and/or financial concerns that occur in the homes and that are not already resolved/determined by procedures and/or treatment plans.

+ Completes all required Program trainings within the required time frame & applies all competencies learned as necessary whenever providing Direct Support services. Attends all Home team meetings and: (a) learns and adapts to new client strategies and treatment plan modifications; (b) maintains effective working relationships with other Direct Support staff (c) remains informed about Home operations (incl. DHS compliance requirements); and, (d) reinforces problem solving & productive monthly House team meeting with participation.

+ Maintain/update Float agreement regarding expectations and Availability for Direct Care

Job Requirements:

**Education:** High School diploma or equivalent.

**Job Related Experience:** No experience required. One (1) year related experience preferred.

**Additional Requirements:** Valid driver’s license & successful agency driver

Benefits starting at 20 hours/week:

+ Paid Training

+ Flexible Schedule

+ PTO (17 days your first year)

+ 8 paid holidays (7 full days, 2 half days)

+ Extended paid leave (5 days)

+ Health and prescription drug coverage

+ Waive-off credit for those who have other group health insurance

+ Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)

+ Optional life insurance coverage for yourself, spouse and/or dependents

+ Optional Short and Long-term disability insurance

+ Pre-tax (Flexible Spending) Accounts for medical, dependent care and adoption expenses

+ 401(k) plan with agency match

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ Employee Discount Program

+ Wellness Program

+ the **Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program**

Who is Catholic Charities?

We are a passionate group of individuals who serve our clients and enjoy working hard to show our values of: Compassion, Hope, Accountability, Respect, Dignity and Service in everything we do! Catholic Charities serves people across the heart of our state. We are a nonprofit organization supported by generous individuals, foundations, businesses and faith communities. At the heart of what Catholic Charities does is people. People seeking help, people offering help, and people who believe that we are all a community of neighbors, here in Central Minnesota. The most important people to us are our clients: those who we humbly serve.

To apply for this position, please send your resume to [email protected] or apply online at www.ccstcloud.org . For a complete up to-date listing of open job positions please visit the Catholic Charities website at: www.ccstcloud.org/employment

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