Direct Support Manager

Direct Support Managers (DSM) provide oversight to a supportive housing site and Direct Support Professionals (DSP). The DSM is the primary contact for staff and family members of the people being supported. The DSM will work in conjunction with the Planning Specialists to ensure that the support services being provided are excellent and exceed agency standards.

• • Develop staff schedules within established household under organizational policies and rules, and in response to participant needs.
  • Approve DSP timecards in an automated timekeeping system.
  • Provide coaching and feedback to DSPs regarding performance issues, including demonstrating correct performance and implementing necessary disciplinary action.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and objectivity while respecting the opinions, perspectives, customs, and individual differences of others.
  • Coordinate and facilitate regular staff meetings, ensuring a sense of trust and openness, and encouraging group participation and ownership.
  • Provide sufficient information about open employment positions and conduct effective interviews, which include input from the person being supported.
  • Maintain collaborative professional relationships with the participant and all support team members (including family/friends), follows ethical standards of practice (e.g., confidentiality, informed consent, etc.), and recognizes his or her own personal limitations.
  • Help people supported to manage the physical, personal, financial, and household tasks that are necessary on a day-to-day basis to pursue an independent community-based lifestyle.
  • Assist in the management of financial accounts, including participant bills and petty cash accounts, as needed and as appropriate according to setting.
  • Provide on-boarding to new staff using a variety of strategies, including peer-to-peer feedback, training, and self-directed learning.
  • Identify risk and behaviors that can lead to a crisis and use effective strategies to prevent or intervene in the crisis in collaboration with others.
  • Observe, document, and implement appropriate actions to promote healthy living to prevent illness and accidents.
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals and provide support in accordance with health and medical recommendations which may include a Nursing Plan of Care.
  • Monitor participant(s) for signs of illness or health-related concerns, and respond by implementing treatments, reporting issues to health care professionals and participant's family as appropriate, documentation as needed, and ensuring coordination between care providers.
  • Ensure records, such as Medication Administration binders and health related charting, are readily available, easy to use, always up to date and provide the most critical information regarding the health and wellness needs of the participant.
  • Order medical supplies, interact with pharmacies, and arrange for supplies and medications to be picked up or delivered as needed. 

This job description is intended to describe the essential job functions and requirements for the successful performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add, change or reassign duties at any time.

Required Knowledge/Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Maryland Driver's License with less than 3 points
• Computer Literacy (Including Microsoft Office Suite and the use of Google Mail and Carematic)
• Ability to successfully complete all DDA, Arc of Howard County and MBON required trainings Ability to manage time effectively.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing Ability to lift 25-30 lbs.
• Leadership/Supervision