DSP Instructor/Senior Companion
Anthesis Position Description
DSP INSTRUCTOR/SENIOR COMPANION
SHIFT: FULL-TIME
SCHEDULE: MONDAY through FRIDAY
Typical shift but not guaranteed
7:00am-3:00pm
8:30am-3:30pm/4:30pm
PAY RANGE: $21.50/hr. to $22.50/hr.
Principle Responsibilities & Position Purpose: Instructors for the Adult Development Center (ADC) provide a caring environment that enhances the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through community integration, enrichment programs and a wide variety of social activities. Senior Companions, while working at our ‘Round About Senior Services program (RASS), provide our senior citizens (ages 50 and up) with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a caring environment with age-appropriate activities, and daily socialization that helps them enjoy their well–deserved retirement. I/SC’s guide our adults in a variety of activities designed to promote vocational, social, physical and intellectual growth by performing the following duties:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. Other Duties may be assigned.
- Responsible for ensuring all job duties are performed in-line with and in support of the mission of Anthesis.
- Responsible for placing emphasis on the development of independence, utilizing Person Centered Thinking
- Responsible for placing emphasis on the maintenance of physical, social and intellectual skills.
- Provides means of daily transportation of participants in personal vehicle to various locations throughout the community. Responsible for training clients on the use of public transportation, including types of transportation available, schedules, fees, etc
- Responsible for supervision of participants at all times, including individual and small group supervision while out in the community and when involved in on-site activities.
- Assists participants as necessary in activities of daily living which may include dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility. Mobility aids may include, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, sit to stand equipment, etc.
- Prepares and reviews daily/weekly activity plans with the participants, allowing them to choose activities that are not only educational and community oriented, but fun and social as well.
- Completes daily destination sheets before leaving for a community outing and checks out daily materials, i.e., backpacks, first aid kit, emergency paperwork and money, participant funds as needed, and progress notes.
- Coordinates activities and transportation needs for participants under the guidance of the Program Specialist(s).
- Obtains and/or prepares age appropriate instructional materials for our participants under the guidance of the Program Specialist(s).
- Assist our adults who remain on-site, with creative activities such as arts and crafts, cooking classes, exercise classes, etc.
- Responsible for daily charting on participant progress in participant files.
- Responsible for safe transport and effective life skills training during lunch and break periods. Responsible for training participants in socially appropriate eating habits during breaks and lunch periods.
- Responsible for the instruction, supervision, and execution of safety standards for participants as outlined in Anthesis’ safety guidelines.
- Responsible for the prompt reporting of injuries and other serious incidents involving the consumer to the Program Manager and Program Specialist(s).
- Responsible for safe operation of personal and/or agency vehicle and for prompt reporting of all accidents and/or vehicle code violations to Program Manager. Responsible for maintaining clean environment in personal and/or agency vehicles.
- Contributes to team effort by be willing and able to comply with Anthesis’ policies and procedures, including attendance, appearance/grooming, safety/security and emergency procedures.
- Must maintain CPR/FA certification.
SUPPORTIVE FUNCTIONS and OTHER DUTIES: In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions:
- Aides Program Manager/Specialist(s) in developing and implementing ISPs for each participant by way of documenting on the ‘One Page Profile’ indicating what’s ‘important to and important for’ the individual.
- Responsible for intervention in behavior management problems in compliance with ISPs.
- Deals effectively with participants’ grievances or complaints in conjunction with Program Specialist and Program Manager.
- Responsible for maintaining all program areas in a safe, clean manner.
- Assists in the compilation of data for the program evaluation system.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he/she can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to carry at least 3 clients in personal vehicle.
- Demonstrated ability to work well with persons with disabilities, elderly persons, families, representatives of residential facilities, and referring agency staff.
- Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; ability to write simple correspondence; ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, program participants, and employees of the organization; demonstrated ability to keep clear, accurate records; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to speak and communicate effectively with program participants, staff members, care providers, family members, community members, etc.; a second language is desired but not necessary.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
- Ability to work with, effectively, internal and external customers, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact, diplomacy to defuse anger, collect accurate information and resolve conflicts.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Minimum 18 years of age; high school diploma or general education degree (GED) required; Associate of Arts Degree in a related field desired; prefer 1 year experience delivering supported employment services or direct care services either in class room, place of employment, residential, medical or day care setting; will consider sufficient experience with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities to carry out duties required in above description; must be able to meet the licensing criteria as set by DDS and/or CCL. Must have basic knowledge of and experience in, use of internet and email. Proficient in MS Office 2010 or later, particularly in Word, Excel, and Publisher.
LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES
Personal vehicle required with current and valid California driver license with at least 3 years current driving experience and good driving record that is acceptable to the organization’s insurance carrier. Must meet eligibility criteria for the State of California Community Care Licensing. CPR/FA certification and/or ability to pass certification. Must be able to provide proof of personal vehicle insurance coverage and vehicle registration.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
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 is:
- Regularly required to walk, sit, talk and hear; regularly lift and/or move and/or push/pull program participants up to 25 pounds;
- Occasionally lift and/or move and/or push/pull program participants up 50 pounds;
- Frequently required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands/arms;
- Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.