Realistic Job Preview | Employment | Staff | Apply Today | Job Opportunities
Introduction
This preview is designed to help you decide if working for Krysilis could be the right job for you. It is important that you know about both the challenges and the rewards of direct support work before applying for a job where you will work with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
If you have never spent time with a person who has a disability, it may feel awkward or uncomfortable at first. But, if you take the time, you’ll soon discover that you have more in common with people who need support than you might think. Many people find providing direct support to be extremely satisfying and rewarding.
Because staff turnover can be hard on the people needing support, we ask that all applicants view this realistic job preview before they actually apply. We hope to ensure that each potential employee understands the duties of direct support staff so he or she can be enthusiastic about working for Krysilis.
What is Direct Support? 
Krysilis provides support to people with a variety of disabilities at a place for employment or in homes within the community. Homes and living situations may have 4 to 9 people living in them who need assistance with a variety of day-to-day activities such as: personal care needs; household chores; getting ready for work and/or school; going out to have fun with friends and family; meeting new people and being active members in the community through activities at places like a YMCA, local bowling center or a church; or running errands for needs that involve going to the bank, doctor, or grocery store.
As a direct support staff, you will spend most of your shift in direct contact with the people who need assistance. Some people with disabilities only need minor assistance, like help with going to the bank. Others need significant daily assistance with things like bathing, dressing, and eating.
Your specific duties will vary depending on the people you support, the service location and the shift you work. Because many people need assistance with participating in community activities, part of your shift may be spent doing fun things like facilitating a trip to a movie, a sporting event, or a picnic.
Requirements for a Direct Support Staff Position
The requirements for getting a job in direct support are not many, but in order to become a Krysilis employee, you must be at least 16 years of age. Your employment offer will also be contingent upon successful results of the following record checks: DCI-criminal history and the dependent adult abuse/child abuse registry.
Being reliable is extremely important. So is a desire to help people live better lives and a willingness to share your unique skills for things like cooking to crafts.
Your availability to work shifts that occur in the evening, overnight, early morning, day, weekends and holidays will be important.
Once you are employed, there are many things you must know to provide direct support well. Because our goal is success for you and for those we support, we will provide the training you'll need.
What Direct Support Staff Do at Work?
As a direct support staff, you will support people in their homes by cooking and cleaning. In addition, you may have to help people with personal cares such as bathing, toileting, dressing or eating.
The benefits of direct support include a daily sense of accomplishment, knowing that you are helping people live a higher quality of life and experience new things.
Part of the job description is connected to a sense of fun, as you have the opportunity to know unique people and help them accomplish the things that are important to them.
If you have not spent much time around people with disabilities, it can be hard to know if this job is for you. As you consider this opportunity, please know that many people find the work of providing direct support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a rewarding and enjoyable career.
Other Duties
While the primary role of a direct support staff is to provide daily support at home and in the community, other important parts of the job include:
· Understanding and following the many county, state and federal rules and regulations that govern this type of service.
· Attending regular training and staff meetings, which are usually at times different than your regular shift schedule.
· Writing and reading a variety of documents such as daily logs.
· Using alternative communication systems designed for the people you support – for example communication booklets, electronic talkers, or basic sign language.
Scheduling, Pay and Benefits
Krysilis provides support services, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Scheduled work shifts include evenings, overnights, mornings, days and weekends. Many of the people supported by Krysilis cannot be left alone in their homes; therefore, it is very important that you show up for scheduled shifts on time and work on scheduled holidays. If you are hired, Krysilis will work with you, as much as possible, to create a flexible schedule that meets your needs, while meeting the needs of the people we support.
Paychecks are distributed bi-monthly with direct deposit into your bank account being the preferred method. Use this site to access some of them below.
Benefits fully paid by Krysilis:
Employee Only Life Insurance
Employee Only Long-Term Disability Insurance
Paid time-off
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - offers professional counselors to provide confidential assessment, crisis counseling, and/or brief therapy to employees and their immediate family members.
Benefits partially paid by Employee:
Health Insurance for self/spouse and/or children
Dental Insurance for self/spouse and/or children
Vision Insurance for self/spouse and/or children
Voluntary Benefits fully paid by Employee
Flex Spending Program
Additional Voluntary Life Insurance for self/spouse or children
401(k) Retirement Plan
EMC Critical Illness increase in Whole Life
Legal Services
AFLAC & All State Accident, Cancer, Heart, Stroke Policies
Training, Orientation and Support
Because there is a lot to learn in direct support, sometimes new workers feel overwhelmed or unsure about what they are doing for the first several weeks on the job. To help you with this transition, Krysilis provides you with an orientation and training period to give you time to learn the skills you need on the job. You are required to attend specific group training sessions and participate in individualized training sessions with your co-workers and your supervisor. 
The staff at Krysilis work together in teams and often work in more than one home. You will be given the opportunity to talk about your work and to network with co-workers and with your supervisor.
All new staff have questions. If you come to work for Krysilis, and you are not sure of something, it will be important to ask questions directly to the people you support, your co-workers, and your supervisor to get the right information. Remember that this is part of your responsibility as a team member at Krysilis.
Supporting People with Challenging Behavior
Some of the people who receive supports from Krysilis have challenging behaviors. This might mean that, depending on the situation, a person who you are supporting could yell at you, call you names, pinch you, spit on you, throw something at you or hit you. This may sound scary at first, but with training, many new direct support staff with no prior experience have learned how to respond to people in a way that helps them calm down and move on instead of continuing with the adverse behavior. You will not be sent to work with people who have challenging behaviors without your knowledge or specific training on how to prevent these situations or how to handle them when they occur.
You may find you are good at counseling and supporting people with these needs and will enjoy watching their progress while sharing in their success. Many people with these types of behaviors have been able to transition with the help of competent and caring direct support workers.
Behavior Support Plans
Many people who have challenging behaviors work with psychologists or behavior specialists. These professionals work with direct support staff as well to develop and implement plans designed specifically to help people with challenging behaviors learn new positive ways of expressing themselves.
As a direct support staff, you will receive training on these plans. You will be required to keep accurate records and share information clearly with others. You likely will be the most important individual to help a person with challenging behaviors be successful in addressing his or her needs.
Supporting People with Personal Care Needs
Krysilis supports many people who have physical disabilities and who need assistance such as transferring from a bed to a wheelchair, from a wheelchair onto a toilet, or from a wheelchair into a bathtub.
Physical Requirements
Although in many situations you will have equipment to assist you in supporting the physical weight of these individuals, it is important that you are able to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds unassisted. Some individuals may also need assistance with all of their self-care needs, including help in changing adult incontinency briefs. Providing personal care needs and medical treatments can be awkward at first, but remembering to extend the same courtesies toward people with disabilities that you would expect (such as a respectful manner, attending to privacy, being calm and gentle), will go a long way in keeping both you and the people you support comfortable. These are valued and necessary services for the individuals Krysilis supports.
Who Would Make Good Direct Support Staff?
How do you know you will be good at direct support work? Here are some of the traits of a good direct support staff:
· Caring and compassionate
· Honest and loyal
· Accepting of others as they are
· Flexible and dependable
· Shows initiative and creativity
· Hard working
· Interested in learning
· Good at communicating with others
· Respectful of other people
· Team player who enjoys working in a team environment
Why Krysilis?
For many people who work at Krysilis, the best thing about working here is the people – both those that they support and their co-workers. If you feel you would be good at direct support, Krysilis may be the place for you. Krysilis’ work locations are in safe neighborhoods, are clean and are well kept, making the work environment a pleasant one.
The work that you do is meaningful and rewarding because you make a difference in the lives of others.
Employee Statements
“I enjoy working here because I get to change lives a little bit in a positive way. So often it’s very basic, like helping decorate their rooms: choosing colors, taking them shopping, picking out lamps and other things…You can tell how well you have done by watching faces or body language. Reactions clearly express feelings.”
“It’s deeply satisfying when the individuals we support are happy and progressing and doing things they want to do…I’m proud of how we work well together – all shifts – working as a team toward the same goal. Having two to three staff with longevity on each shift really provides continuity.”
“I know it’s a good day when I’m greeted at the door with a smile…for the most part, we are teachers and friends…I see it as my job to help them do all the things they are able to do on their own, just like everybody else…What does that take? Patience above all else.”
Thank You!
You have completed the Krysilis direct support job preview. We hope you are ready to join the Krysilis team!
If you think you would like a job in this field, there may be openings today at Krysilis.
You may view available job opportunities here.
If you have specific questions you would like answered, you can contact the Human Resource Department at the appropriate location listed below.
Forest City
Connie Gremmer
905 Hwy 69 South
Forest City, Iowa
641-585-3050 x206
cgremmer@krysilis.org
Nevada
Marla Crum
221 South 11th Street
Nevada, Iowa
515-382-5520 x205
mcrum@krysilis.org
Wright County
Donna Kluss
210 NW 2nd Street
Clarion, Iowa
515-532-3221 x221
dkluss@krysilis.org
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Krysilis and our support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.