Paraprofessional

Description

• Direct Support Staff/ Paraprofessionals provide services to individuals or groups of individuals.
• Direct Support Staff/ Paraprofessionals are responsible for ensuring that services are delivered in a caring and respectful manner, in accordance with person-centered plan, service definition, agency policies and industry standards.

Reporting Relationship

• Reports to QP

Responsibilities/Activities

• The Paraprofessional builds trust and productive relationships with people he/she supports, co-workers, and others through respectful and clear verbal and written communication.
• The Paraprofessional identifies risk and behaviors that can lead to a crisis for the supported individual and uses effective strategies to prevent or intervene in the crisis in collaboration with other’s on the team.
• The Paraprofessional uses person centered practices, assisting individuals to make choices and plan goals, and provides services to help individuals achieve their goals.
• Assist clients with following a written, special diet plan and reinforcement of diet maintenance, which is provided under the direction of a Physician and as identified on the person-centered plan.
• Escort clients to medical facilities, errands, shopping and outings as specified in the person-centered plan. 
• Assist clients with communication by writing, typing, assisting in correspondence for them or researching information for them.
• The Paraprofessional closely monitors an individual’s physical and emotional health, gathers information about the individual, and communicates observations to assist in guiding services.
• Follow the written person-centered plan.
• Carry out duties as assigned by the QP.
• Observe clients and their environments and report unsafe conditions to QP.
• Observe clients and their environments and reports behavior, physical and/or cognitive changes and/or changes in living arrangements to QP.
• Complete and maintain records of all required documentation (goal sheets, pcs sheets, financial records, time sheets, etc.), daily activities, observations, and direct hours of service.
• Attending orientation, in-service training sessions and staff meetings.
• Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Communicate with QP and co-workers.
• Observe, receive and obtain information from relevant sources.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge

• Knowledge of direct care and home management skills.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal care services, including needs determinants, meeting quality standards, and evaluation of client satisfaction.
• Knowledge of the English language.
• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat injuries including emergency first aid and CPR.
• Knowledge of clerical procedures such as maintaining records and completing forms.

Required Skills/Abilities

• The ability to competently assist clients with their activities of daily living.
• The ability to be aware of other people’s reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• The ability to establish and maintain relationships.
• The ability to teach others.
• The ability to listen actively.
• The ability to identify problems and determine effective solutions.
• The ability to apply reason and logic to identify strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions.
• The ability to monitor and assess themselves, clients, and effectiveness of service.
• The ability to understand written and oral instructions.
• The ability to communicate information orally so others understand.
• The ability to communicate in writing so others understand.
• The ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• The ability to determine or recognize when something is likely to go wrong.
• The ability to suggest a number of ideas on a subject.
• The ability to perform activities that use the whole body.
• The ability to handle and move objects and people.
• The ability to provide advice and consultation to others.
• The ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• The ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with clients/families/co-workers.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Good physical and mental health.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear and see. 
• Mental fortitude and stability to handle stress.
• Physical and mental ability to drive a vehicle.

Qualifications/ Education

• High School Diploma/ GED
• Current Driver’s License
• Proper Vehicle Insurance Coverage

Training/Experience

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Medication Administration training-successful completion
• CPR certification
• First Aid certification
• HIPPA/OSHA training-successful completion
• Client’s rights abuse and neglect