Mental Health - Direct Support - Supported Living

As a Direct Support Professional at Keystone Mental Health Services, your main responsibilities include providing quality support to adults with mental illness in residential and community settings. This will involve assisting individuals with personal care, administering medications, mentoring them based on their treatment plans, managing household tasks, and planning recreational activities. Daily documentation is also required to track progress and ensure compliance with support guidelines.

To be considered for the Direct Support Professional position at Keystone Mental Health Services, candidates must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, proficiency in computer skills and effective verbal and written communication abilities are essential. A valid driver’s license and daily access to a properly insured vehicle are also required. Candidates with experience in the human services or mental health field are preferred but not mandatory.

The Direct Support Professional role at Keystone Mental Health Services offers an attractive benefits package. You will receive a competitive hourly wage of $19.00, along with health benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage. The position also comes with a generous paid time off program, extensive training opportunities, and career growth potential. Plus, tuition reimbursement is available, helping you invest in your future!

While prior experience in the mental health field is preferred for the Direct Support Professional position at Keystone Mental Health Services, it is not strictly required. More importantly, we look for candidates who possess a strong commitment to helping others, have the right attitude, and demonstrate an eagerness to learn and grow within the role. This makes our training programs a key component for those new to the field.

Keystone Mental Health Services is dedicated to the professional development of its Direct Support Professionals. The organization offers extensive training and learning opportunities to enhance your skills. Additionally, there are clear pathways for career advancement, allowing you to progress within the company based on performance and professional growth. This commitment to development is central to our mission of empowering our staff and the individuals we support.

When answering this question, highlight any relevant experience you have, whether it's through previous jobs, volunteer work, or education. Be specific about your roles and responsibilities, emphasizing your ability to show empathy and patience while supporting clients in their development.

Discuss your strategies for de-escalation and conflict resolution. Explain the importance of staying calm, using active listening skills, and applying learned techniques from training to manage challenging behaviors effectively in a supportive manner.

Share specific techniques you have employed or would implement to encourage independence. This might include assisting individuals with goal-setting, providing life skills training, and supporting their decision-making processes.

Highlight the importance of trust and genuine interest in each client's wellbeing. Talk about methods such as active listening, creating a friendly atmosphere, being consistent, and respecting their personal space to build rapport effectively.

Focus on the importance of daily documentation and regular communication with your team. Stress the need for consistency, regular check-ins with clients about their progress, and adjustments to their plans based on their evolving needs.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. Detail a specific real-life scenario where your patience helped to resolve an issue or support a client effectively.

Discuss your organizational skills, including how you assess urgency and importance for each task. Emphasize the inclusion of flexibility in prioritizing client needs without compromising care quality.

Share personal reflections or stories that demonstrate your passion for helping others, the impact of mental health advocacy, and your desire to contribute positively to the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges.

Talk about the importance of ongoing education and training, whether it’s attending workshops, reading relevant literature, or being part of professional networks within the mental health field.

Discuss the significance of understanding client perspectives and the importance of collaboration. Explain how you would initiate a conversation to explore their feelings and potentially adjust the treatment plan to better align with their preferences.