Direct Support ProfessionalLife Skills Instructor

Qualities

The employees that excel in this position are those that have strong personal boundaries, healthy self-care habits, take initiative, are open to feedback, have a willingness to expand their skills and knowledge, are patient, and understand that the health and safety of clients is balanced with their right to power and choice.

Essential Job Functions

• Follow all client care plans and protocols.
• Personal Care: Provide assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting if applicable.
• Meal Preparation: Prepare and serve nutritious meals and snacks, considering dietary restrictions and preferences if needed.
• Mobility Support: Help clients with mobility, transfers, and exercises to maintain their physical health.
• Nurse delegated: Administer medications, assist with tube feeding, wound care, ostomy care and any other task that requires delegation.
• Companionship: Engage in conversations, games, goals and activities to provide emotional and social support.
• Housekeeping and Maintenance: Perform light housekeeping tasks, including laundry, cleaning, and maintaining a safe living environment. Proactively work to ensure house maintenance is completed/optimal.
• Safety: Ensure client safety by monitoring any potential hazards or emergencies and responding appropriately.
• Communication: Maintain open communication with clients, their families, guardians, team members and admin staff to provide updates on the client's well-being — including a thorough shift change for continuity of client care.
• Documentation: Accurately record and document care provided, changes in client conditions, and any incidents or observations.
• Respect and Dignity: Treat clients with respect, dignity, and empathy, promoting their independence and autonomy.
• Training: Participate in ongoing training and education to stay current on best practices, standards, and all assigned training, tasks, and duties.
• Teamwork: Collaborate with other caregivers, Kokua nurses, and admin staff to ensure a cohesive environment. Attend all team meetings and mandatory agency meetings.
• AOR: Assigned and maintained AOR responsibilities including documentation, oversight and support.
• Crisis Management: Handle challenging situations or emergencies calmly and effectively.
• Mandatory reporting: Understand what warrants a report to RCS and Kokua to maintain one's mandatory reporting responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands represent what must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DSPs must have sufficient physical strength, endurance, and mobility to assist clients with daily living activities, maintain safety, and support independence. The role demands a combination of lifting, bending, walking, and repetitive hand movements, along with the capability to communicate effectively and respond to emergencies — including the ability to perform CPR.

Experience, Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in caregiving, preferably in disabilities.
• Completion of required caregiver training and certifications.
• Maintain one's delegation status.
• Compassionate, patient, and empathetic nature.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to assist with the mobility of clients as needed.
• During staffing shortages, flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Current First Aid and CPR card.
• Current Food Handlers card.
• Pass a Criminal Background and fingerprint check.
• Demonstrates basic computer knowledge and ability with an aptitude to learn company applications.

Benefits

• Health Insurance Benefits
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• 401(k) Plan with profit sharing and matching
• Section 125 (Cafeteria) Plan
• Paid Sick Leave
• Gas reimbursement