Direct Support Professional 1:1

Join us! Come to work with Purpose. We are a passionate team of social change-makers, diverse thinkers, and problem solvers. Our purpose is to provide the best possible services that ensure full access to quality living and spread the power of inclusivity. We serve over 7,000 people with disabilities, behavioral health challenges, and those who are Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing. If you don’t want just any job—if you want to work where you can create truly transformational change—then Anixter is the place for you. Take a look at the job description to learn more!

Hours: Monday - Friday 8am-1:30pm 

SUMMARY: Provide direct support to clients in either residential setting or day programming to enhance quality of life, promote independence, and foster community access. Working hours are dependent upon program needs. Position may have rotating shifts that include weekdays, weekends, and overnights.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Engage and assist clients with completing all daily living activities, including personal, medical, community, hygiene, financial, recreation and general safety.
2. Administer medications and document all related activities in accordance with related Medication Policies and Procedures.
3. Complete and/or assist all housekeeping tasks including cleaning bathrooms, kitchen, and client rooms; washing dishes/ doing laundry; dusting surfaces; cleaning refrigerator/stove, and all other duties assigned by manager(s) and director.
4. Report and document issues with clients regarding overall health, medication, dental and mental health concerns to manager(s) and/or the agency nurse.
5. Implements dynamic, person-centered client programming across multiple domains, including but not limited to independent living skills, social/emotional development, communication, problem-solving, vocational development, and safety.
6. Assists in planning and directly implementing ongoing community-based activities for all clients, in accordance with individual client goals and preferences.
7. Ensures timely completion of all client paperwork. 
8. Ensures adherence to all mandated reporters, OIG guidelines, and DHS guidelines.
9. Implements positive and proactive behavior management techniques and interventions as identified in clients’ behavior intervention plans.
10. Collaborates with co-workers (shift-to-shift) and/or manager(s) regarding clients’ needs and concerns daily. 
11. Maintains a neat, orderly, and safe work environment. 
12. Participates in all required on- and off-site training upon hire and as routinely required.
13. Maintains professional communication with co-workers and manager(s) as well as clients’ parents/guardians, employers, staff, and other stakeholders, as needed.
14. Maintain agency mandated crisis intervention and other related trainings deemed mandatory or relevant by Anixter Center.
15. Provide transportation in agency vehicle and attend client health care appointments, if necessary. 
16. Be flexible and able to change tasks if needed, including working as day program staff, 1:1 staff, or house staff. 

REQUIREMENTS Skills/Abilities

1. ASL Language skills. Ability to communicate with the Deaf, DeafBlind
2. Demonstrated proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehending English including the ability to pass a literacy test.
3. Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment.
4. Ability to interact with diverse personalities, including, but not limited to, clients, parents/guardians, staff, employers, funding representatives, etc.
5. Ability to participate in and meet all Department of Human Services and related training requirements.
6. Ability to perform all functions necessary to obtain agency required crisis intervention certification.
7. Ability to promote and adhere to agency values.
8. A commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.

Education/Experience:

1. High school diploma or GED required.
2. Associates or Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
3. DSP certified preferred; must be able to obtain DSP certification within six months of employment (providedby agency).
4. CPR/AED and First Aid certification; must be able to obtain certification within six months of employment (provided by agency).

Experience Required:

1. Minimum of 1 years’ experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

1. Capable of navigating the use of public transportation system (CTA/RTA/Pace/Metra).
2. Valid driver's license preferred but not required.

SUPERVISION

None

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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.

Physical Demands:

o Ability to lift / carry 35 pounds.

o Physical capacity to assist in behavior management.

o Physical capacity to assist with activities of daily living (including taking clients to the toilet) in-house or community.

o Ability to walk and/or push wheelchair in various terrains and circumstances, physically able to use public transportation and assist clients physically in use of the transportation system.

Work Environment:

o Client support may take place in a variety of settings such as indoor or/and outdoor in various weather.