Job description

A great job for college students with limited availability! We pay your training and certifications. If you care deeply about individuals and families impacted by a variety of developmental disabilities, this is the job for you.

At the North Dakota Autism Center Inc., we are dedicated to helping individuals and their families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities by helping them reach their full potential through our excellent care, therapy, advocacy, and support. We are a locally owned nonprofit with a sincere attitude towards caring for the individuals and families we support, and work to promote excellent care by spearheading methods based on the most recent trauma-informed research available. At NDAC, we are about going above and beyond the standard of care into focusing on Compassion, Integrity, Teamwork, Excellence, and Support.

As a Family Support Staff (Direct Support Professional), you become a part of the families receiving services and work to build lasting relationships with individuals and staff alike. We offer flexible hours, competitive wages, and a chance to make a difference in our individuals' lives. Come join our mission-focused and diverse work environment!

We have varying shifts available between the hours of 2:00pm-9:00pm Mondays through Fridays, and e.o. weekend.

Possessing a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration is required for this role.

Job duties for a Direct Support Professional include but are not limited to:

· Interest in and/or experience in supporting people with disabilities to achieve their goals and outcomes.

· Ability to work both as a team and alone, to complete tasks as instructed, be receptive to new ideas and be creative in helping to solve problems.

· Believe that everyone can, and must have an opportunity to learn and grow, regardless of their level of ability or diagnosis.

· Document on each individual (goals, shift notes, health changes, status changes, injuries etc.) and maintain confidentiality.

· Support individual with their environmental tasks and personal cares (household tasks, cooking, cleaning, medications, feeding tubes, hygiene tasks etc.)

· Display commitment to quality, be responsible, reliable, and punctual. Show accountability and respect to individuals and families receiving services.

· Embrace teamwork, show effort to build rapport, and include others.

· Demonstrate clear and professional verbal and non-verbal listening and communication. Take initiative in communicating ideas, concerns, and challenges to management in a timely manner.

· Establish effective relationships with individuals and their families. Act with service recipient’s best interest in mind.

· Contribute to strong morale and belonging within the team. Maintain a two-way dialogue with others and attend company meetings as scheduled.

· Understand the reasoning behind key processes and adhere to policies and procedures.

Physical demands placed on a Direct Support Professional:

Each indiviual displays a set of needs on a broad spectrum so physical demands vary on an individual basis, however there are some general physical demands for most service providers: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive a vehicle, run, stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, use Hoyer lifts, transfer individuals, and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment a Direct Support Professional will work in:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to different environments including outdoor weather conditions, human bites or scratches, verbal aggression, and maladaptive or aggressive behaviors. This job is primarily completed in the family home, where we serve a wide diverse population and many families with different living conditions (pets, smoke in the home, uncleanliness, families not home/home while on shift etc.).

Some families require the shift to be entirely community based, requiring daily driving up to 30 miles to and from activities (mileage paid by the families).

Some families require staff to stay at home the entirety of the shift, indoors.

May include traveling or overnights, depending on family’s preference and staff's availability.

At your own discretion, shifts may be held in your own personal home, including overnights (environmental checks are required before this is allowed).

Education/Experience preferred of a Direct Support Professional:

· High school diploma or general education degree (GED)

· Degree in or obtaining a degree in psychology, social work, counseling, child development/family sciences, sociology, special education or other human service fields (exceptions may be considered)

Specialized training, Certifications, and Licenses required of a Direct Support Professional:

· Valid driver's license

· Proof of vehicle insurance and registration

· CPR certification complete and maintained (may be acquired through training process)

· First Aid certification complete and maintained (may be acquired through training process)

· Therapeutic Response complete and maintained (may be acquired through training process)

· NDAC Training and Competency Requirements complete and maintained (may be acquired through training process)

· Medication Administration Training and Exam (may be acquired through training process)

Additional requirements of a Direct Support Professional:

· Must be 18 years or older.

· Must have cleared and approved criminal record check.

· Must have cleared and approved Child Abuse and Neglect Background check.

· Must have legal status in the U.S.

· Must have a reliable and safe means of transportation and clear driving record.

· Must be able to read and write English proficiently.

· Must have basic understanding and ability to navigate mobile applications, websites on the computer, and collect data on taught software.

· Must be flexible with seasonal schedule alterations or families canceling shifts due to illness or other family matters that come up suddenly.

· Must be willing to work 2 weekends a month (Saturday and Sunday) and evenings.

· Must be able to provide care to individuals with a variety of needs for multiple hours.

Possessing a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration is required for this role.

Hear it from our team in Family Support Services!

"DSPs are the backbone of the in-home department. They work with the individuals we serve on a one-on-one basis to help them reach their goals. Not only that, but they form relationships with our individuals that help promote growth, not only of the individual served, but of the DSP as well. Being a DSP was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."

-Sierra Romero, Case Manager, Former DSP

"The training process really sets you up for success and I have always felt ready after one shadow shift. The staff at North Dakota Autism Center are always accommodating and very prepared when schedules change due to school or other commitments. I could always go to a case manager for help or advice when I needed it. I really liked that every day was different with my clients, and it kept me on my toes. Being a DSP has taught me so much in such a short amount of time, and I will always take what I learned with me."

- Rachana Wright, DSP

"DSP is a rewarding position where you get the unique opportunity to not only help support our individuals but to become a friend. DSP support allows our individuals to gain access to the community, gain new skills, increase independence, and build onto the families' support system....[What makes] NDAC unique [is] our family feel and the passion to strive for excellence for the people we serve."

-Krista Brustad, Director of Family Support Services

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Referral program

Schedule:

• After school
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overnight shift
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• West Fargo, ND: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• How did you hear about this job?

Experience:

• Caregiving: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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