DSP shifts available with an older woman who uses a wheelchair.
Radiant Living is a Supported Living Service Agency employing teams of Direct Support Professionals. DSPs work one on one with individuals who have developmental challenges, providing support needed for the person to be able to live in their own homes, access and participate in community, pursue their interests and live a life of their own choosing.
The people we support have a wide variety of challenges which can include: Intellectual, Developmental, Physical Disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Autism. We also support people who have Mental Health and Behavioral Challenges as well as those who are Aging or have higher medical needs. Some of our clients are very independent, only needing a handful of support hours a week. Some have jobs, spouses or a very active community lives that keeps them busy. Others have no verbal skills and require direct care in most aspects of their life.
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS
DSP work is great for building experience or for those who already have skills in the fields of social work, education, healthcare, psychology and any fields involving working with people. It's also great for people who are drawn to do meaningful work and make a difference in the world.
Depending on the unique needs of each individual receiving services, DSP job responsibilities can include:
-Teaching household and life skills such as how to prepare sushi for a party, how to sweep the floor effectively, taking care of trash and recycling, growing food or how to do laundry without white socks turning pink!
-Helping the person to reach personal goals such as learning to meditate, run in a marathon, identify birds at the Marsh, or to make and mail birthday cards to their friends and family throughout the year.
-Providing support with medical and other appointments, medication administration, personal care, and behavioral support, household chores such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and assistance with shopping and other errands.
-Providing direct personal care such as hygiene and other health related tasks, or assistance to take medications and follow other doctor’s orders.
-Positive behavioral support, supervision of wellbeing, maintaining safe and clean environment.
-Maintenance of life records, attending trainings and staff meetings, and communicating regularly with the team supporting the person.
-Unique to the individual the DSP is working with, they could find themselves on a long hike exploring muddy trails, pushing a wheelchair in the neighborhood, sitting on the patio to enjoy the sun, getting immersed in a collaborative art project, coloring to relaxing music, coming up with a dress-up dance party in the living room, hanging out at the coffee shop, planting a garden, creating a cookbook with pictures and recipes, a picnic in the sun, or a three-day camping trip, gardening, meditating in nature, learning to read, listening to stories, making art, going to the gym, cooking gourmet meals, swimming, video games, long conversations about all sorts of things.
DSPs help with all the little details and all the big things that support a person to live their own best life!
TYPES OF SHIFTS
- Many of the people we support have 24 hour care. Many attend day program or have jobs M-F 9-3. Weekend shifts and shifts when day program or work are not scheduled are typically 8/9am-3pm, 3pm-10pm, 10pm-8/9am including weekends and holidays.
- We also support more independent people and their shifts are scheduled depending on the needs of the individual client.
- Permanent shifts with those individuals can be anywhere between 9pm and 11pm hours during the day.
- Fill In shifts are an opportunity for staff who want or have more flexibility in their schedule. Some staff work a few regularly scheduled shifts and fill in with their client when there is a need and their schedule allows. Others have wide experience in the field and do fill in work for multiple clients, picking up hours for shift coverage when they have availability.
- There are two kinds of Overnight shifts: Most Overnight shifts allow for the staff to sleep as long as they are available should client needs arise in the night. Those hours are paid at a lower rate but staff are typically able to sleep. These shifts are great for someone who has school, another job, or just wants to spend their days living their life. We also have Overnight positions that are Up at Night so those shifts are at the employee's same hourly rate as non-Overnight hours. In the case of Up at Night shifts the person you are supporting is usually sleeping but the staff need to monitor them at regular intervals. These shifts are great for natural night owls who like to read, knit, study or engage in other quiet activities in the night.
REQUIREMENTS
Must currently live locally. We do not do phone interviews and we need staff to begin training sooner than relocation would allow.
Must be able to pass a background (DOJ fingerprint) clearance.
Must have a clean driving record including no DUIs for the last five years.
Must have a reliable vehicle that is in good working condition that you can use during shift.
Must have good written and oral communication skills.
Must be able to provide proof of being fully vaccinated/boosted against Covid-19.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Mileage reimbursement
Paid orientation
Paid sick time
Paid training
Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
1. Are you able to pass a Fingerprint/DOJ background clearance?
2. Do you have a clean driving record (including no DUIs) over the last five years?
3. Do you have a vehicle in good working condition that can be used during shifts to support your client in community access?
4. Do you currently live where you can comfortably commute to positions in Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville?
5. Do you have plans in the next six months (such as leaving town for an extended period of time) that would necessitate getting more than one or two shifts covered? (if so please list dates)
6. How many hours a week would you ideally like to work?
7. What hours are you NOT available to work due to other commitments? (include hours you would NOT be able to work so we can see if we have shifts available that would work with your schedule)
8. What would be your first available start date?
9. Due to the nature of this job we are only able to hire people who are vaccinated against Covid-19. Are you fully vaccinated?
