Job Title: Direct Support Technician

Department: Children's Residential

Manager: Residential Manager

Schedule: 1st shift  (7:00 am - 3:30 pm / rotating weekends) 2nd shift (3:00 pm - 11:30 pm / rotating weekends) 3rd shift (11:00 pm -7:30 am / rotating weekends) Weekend (7:00 am - 11:00 pm / Sat & Sun) Day Shift (7:00 am - 7:30 pm) Night Shift (7:00 pm - 7:30 am)

Unit: 

Compensation: Hourly / Non-exempt

Job Summary: The Direct Support Technician will be responsible for performing a variety of Para-professional tasks related to the care of individuals served by Damar. Essential job duties and responsibilities are in accordance with Damar’s Strategic Plan and requirements by licensure.

Dependable

• Remains awake and engaged at all times – competently supervising and monitoring the clients. Never leaving clients unattended unless permitted for periods of time based on a client’s Individual Support Plan.
• Must be flexible and willing to work in any unit or department in Indianapolis and surrounding areas depending on company and client need.

Active

• Effectively responds to and manages crisis situations, which may include client physical aggression, utilizing prescribed verbal intervention or physical management techniques.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and healthy environment, including performing a variety of tasks related to housekeeping including cleaning, washing soiled clothing, changing bed linen, folding and sorting clean laundry.
• Conducts and supervises recreational and life enrichment activities.
• Operates Damar vehicles and/or personal vehicles to transport residents or perform other work-related duties.
• Follows physician’s orders to properly administer medication to clients.
• When assigned to any classroom, expected to perform the following duties:
  • Assists students in classroom with educational studies and instruction
  • Assists teacher in conducting small educational groups with students
  • Assists with overall classroom instruction in absence of the teacher
  • Assists in teaching students to acquire basic academic, behavioral, communication, social-functioning, self-help, daily living and social skills.

Mission Driven

• Consistently implements behavior management plans to reduce client’s maladaptive behaviors, promote appropriate social behaviors and maximize human potential of each client served.
• Promotes and assists with the development of appropriate daily living, self-help and social skills.
• Understands client’s rights and protects them by promptly reporting any violations.
• Takes pride and ownership in Damar’s facilities and assigned work areas.
• Ensures that the agency meets its quality improvement, evaluation and reporting requirements.
• Actively participates in and/or oversees data collection and the use of data to improve outcomes, practices and service delivery.
• Utilizes data collection in relation to driving and tracking outcomes and achieving agency initiatives and goals.
• Acts as a good steward of Damar and/or client finances.
• Shows initiative by identifying solutions to work towards improving stakeholder satisfaction.
• Prioritizes duties in a manner consistent with organizational objectives and growth.

Accountable

• Completes all required documentation daily, in a professional manner – must be objective, accurate and thorough - to provide consistent client treatment.
• Understands and follows the rules governing client service documentation, including but not limited to medication logs, incident reports, progress notes and all other documentation assigned.
• Will adhere to all policies and procedures as defined in the Employee Handbook and Damar Operational Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Attends mandatory staff meeting and other meetings as assigned.
• Completes and updates mandatory training and other licensure related items in a timely manner.
• Maintains documentation that is accurate and legible.
• Completes incident reports, including reporting any suspected exploitation, abuse, or neglect of a client.
• Adheres to parameters of the Agency’s budget, including appropriately utilizing Agency credit cards (Gas Cards, Wal-Mart, etc.), accurately reporting time and obtaining proper approval for overtime.
• Seeks the best use of materials, equipment and staff to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Respectful

• Ensures that all activities, services and programs through Damar are conducted in a manner that is sensitive to and shows respect for the cultural and ethnic diversity for all Damar clients.
• Works with clients, professional and other Para-professional staff, client’s families and the community in a courteous and respectful manner to provide proper habilitation.

Education: High school diploma or GED required.

Experience: Previous experience is not required.

Equipment Familiarity: Basic overall understanding and familiarity with use of computers and phones.

Certifications, Licenses or Special Training:

• Minimum age of 21 depending on program and / or department requirements.
• No felony convictions or other criminal offenses involving a dependent population.
• Must meet and maintain background screening requirements for all Damar Programs as detailed in policy 1.HR.02 Pre-Employment and Employee Background Checks.
• Valid Indiana driver’s license and driving record that meets eligibility requirements of Damar’s insurance carrier (for all positions requiring driving).
• Successful completion of pre-employment drug screen and physical required. 

Abilities:

• Ability to follow and execute specific oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to promote and maintain positive interaction with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of simple health and safety precautions.
• Demonstrate respect for cultural, ethnic, spiritual and linguistic diversity and values including differences in personal goals, lifestyle choices and varying family backgrounds and histories.
• Ability to write daily progress and behavior reports using a professional and objective style.
• Ability to pass and maintain Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification if working in children’s residential home/unit licensed by Dept. of Child Services (DCS).
• Ability to physically manage and restrain clients when necessary, including ability to assist in lifting, maneuvering, and physically supporting individuals up to 200 pounds; ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Performs other duties as assigned.