Direct Support Professional Day Support - Horticulture - Rappahannock Area Community Services Board

The position provides direct care and support to adults with developmental disabilities in community skills development and rehabilitative skills training related to horticulture. Provides seasonal operation of the horticulture program assisting adults with developmental disabilities with the propagation and care of plants, the operation and maintenance of horticultural facilities, along with the presentation and sale of plants to the general public for the purpose of improving the social, vocational, and well-being of program participants. Work is performed under general supervision and is guided by agency policies, procedures, professional principles and practices, and the ethical standards related to client interactions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Monitors participant behaviors, safety and health in accordance with service plans.

2. Instructs and supervises individuals engaged in skill development. Assists and coaches' individuals in community integration and social behaviors.

3. Perform a variety of supportive tasks related to the individuals service plan, e.g., communications, notebooks, laundry, washing lunch containers.

4. Oversee and participate in the maintenance and development of program greenhouses and related horticulture facilities and equipment. Cleans and organizes facility spaces and work stations.

5. Monitor the use of materials, supplies and equipment utilized by individuals.

6. Assists individuals with personal hygiene and other skills including bathing, bathroom skills, soiled clothing and undergarments.

7. Supports and coaches individual use of personal assistive devices and apparatuses.

8. Coordinates skill training needs with other habilitation staff. Prepares progress notes on individuals in compliance to requirements.

9. Coaches participants on budgeting and the use of personal funding accounts.

10. Prepares individual profiles, case notes, data collection and quarterly reports. Completes all reports, time sheets, payroll records and work schedules.

11. Operates large van and lift equipment and transports individuals. Assists in lifting participant's including use of transfer techniques and assistive apparatus.

12. Administers medications

13. Coordinates the retail plant sales program by training staff, participants and volunteers.

14. Supervises volunteers, individuals and staff throughout the seasonal operations of the greenhouses. Monitors and assists participants during their volunteer service. Implements and monitors community safety procedures.

15. Complies with all environment regulatory agencies at the local, state and federal level.

16. Participates in training and team meetings.

17. Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of horticulture services and greenhouse maintenance. Considerable knowledge of day support programming and the common disabilities, principles and practices relating to the care and behavioral management of the intellectually-disabled and developmentally-delayed populations and associated age related issues; considerable knowledge of assistive equipment and apparatus and lifting/transfer techniques; some knowledge of social casework management and supportive level counseling; some knowledge of crisis prevention and intervention skills applicable to the intellectually disabled; some knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of prevocational and vocational training; ability to establish rapport with intellectually-disabled individuals and their families; ability to maintain an effective working relationship with other staff and the staff community organizations; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to function calmly in stressful situa­tions; ability to physically lift/move an average weight adult individual; ability to observe, assess and record individual behaviors and functioning; ability to operate a vehicle; ability to ability to effectively respond to crisis situations both behavioral and medical.

TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma and some course work and/or training in Behavioral Sciences, and some work experience in day support programs for intellectually disables/developmentally disabled adults. . Experience in a nursery or greenhouse is preferred.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid Virginia driver's license. Certification in First Aid/CPR. Training in Therapeutic Options (THEROPS) and Medication Management.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXPOSURE

Work involves considerable exposure to disagreeable environmental conditions such as the requirements to: interact with clients having unsanitary behaviors, poor hygiene and contagious illness and/or are potentially hostile and/or aggressive; drive a vehicle, and/or transport clients in inclement, if not severe weather; physically assisting and/or lifting clients in the course of care and lifting moderate weight objects in connection with the operation of the facility, continuous movement on concrete or gravel surfaces, seasonal greenhouse conditions, and use of potentially harmful chemicals in connection with the operation of the program.

RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships require good communication and interpersonal skills to interact with agency staff and others in the community and to communicate information to program participants.