The Community Support Professional (CSP) is responsible for guiding, coaching and encouraging individuals to achieve their maximum level of independence. They will assure that individuals have opportunities to learn and grow in accordance with the individual’s specific desire. CSPs work with persons with intellectual disability supporting and helping persons participate in activities within the community.

Know how:

The position requires a person twenty-one (21) years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED.

The position requires the ability to collaborate effectively with the individual receiving services, co-workers, family members, related agencies and others. Good rapport with all parties involved is critical to ensuring quality service delivery. The position also requires the ability to assist individuals in achieving personal goals while promoting dignity and respect. The CSP must have good time management skills to be able to support the needs of multiple people. Finally, the CSP must be able to communicate with individuals by listening and learning in the way that is most effective for the person. The employee must possess good written and oral communication skills, a valid Alabama driver’s license. The CSP must also be able to pass all required training courses including but not limited to, First Aid, CPR, CPI and trainings as outlined VOA Southeast’s Policies & Procedures.

Principal Activities:

• Complete duties to ensure that individuals receive needed supports in a positive environment that enhance the individuals’ ability to achieve their personal goals for community experience as outlined in the ALDMH operational guidelines for this waiver service.

• Support and encourage individuals in exercising their rights and making their own choices with in the community and daily activities.

• Perform and provide assistance with all needed supports during the service delivery. The CSP must assist in areas of support to include but not limited to transportation, engagement in community activities, meals, ambulation, toileting etc.

• Complete duties to ensure the health and safety of individuals, including but not limited, to reporting signs and symptoms of illness, unusual behaviors and additional supports needed.

• Provide support to individuals in participating (in home or virtual) leisure and recreational activities based upon the individuals’ support plan for community experience.

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with individuals receiving services, co-workers, family members, related agencies, and others.

• Complete all required documentation required to ensure compliance with VOA Southeast Policies & Procedures and funding sources.

• Report any suspicion of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and exploitation and cooperate fully in any investigation.

• Provide detailed daily reports of services provided.

• Meet at least minimum staff development/training requirements in compliance with VOA standards and funding agency requirements.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Effect on End Result

• The provision of quality services to individuals receiving community experience supports from VOA Southeast.

• The individual receiving services will experience increased independence, personal choice, rights, community inclusion, and services delivered under a person centered philosophy.

• Competently trained and motivated staff.

• VOA Southeast maintains a positive public image.

• Community experience will be delivered respectfully, efficiently and safely.

• Compliance with regulatory and funding sources.

Language skills:

The position requires the ability to read, analyze, and interpret common correspondence and the ability to write and complete forms. The position requires the ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

American with Disabilities Specifications:

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and or move 25 or more pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust or focus.

Work Environment

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the support staff to perform the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The employee is required to report unacceptable work environment to his/her immediate supervisor.