Direct Support Staff

The Direct Support Staff is a non-professional employee, trained to provide personal care and related services.

• Selected on the basis of such factors as: an interest in people, tact, a history of emotional stability, dependability in employment, neatness in appearance and practices, good personal hygiene, and good judgment

• Performs household budgeting and consumer education.
• Markets to stretch the dollar and prepares nutritious and appetizing meals.
• Performs some personal care such as assistance with bathing, toileting, eating, dressing, grooming, and walking.
• Assists with simple health care routines such as reminders to maintain diet restriction, medication regimen, and recommended exercises.
• Provides skilled observation and detailed feedback to the caseworker on consumer’s behavior, mood, and adjustment in the home.
• Teaches home management skills, and encourages and stimulates self-help attitudes and behavior.
• Gives emotional support and encouragement during period of loneliness, depressions, bereavement, etc.
• Performs routine housekeeping tasks that are required.
• Cares for clothing, washing, ironing, and mending.
• Records observation and signs each entry on the appropriate form for each visit made.
• Communicates daily or more often as necessary with his/her supervisor.
• Immediately reports emergency situations by phone to supervisor or On-call.
• Confirms on a daily basis the scheduling of visits with the Supervisor/Director in order to coordinate necessary visits with other personnel.
• Notifies the Agency of absences due to illness, emergency leave, normal vacation periods, or special professional meetings that will affect service with the Agency.