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TEAM LEAD
Residential Services | Job Description
Department | Residential Direct Support Services | Reports To | Residential Supervisor |
Classification | DSP 1 | FLSA Status | Full Time |
The Team Lead is an experienced Direct Support Professional who provides person-centered support while assisting the Residential Supervisor with the daily operation of an assigned residential home. The Team Lead trains alongside the Residential Supervisor to learn the day-to-day functions of the supervisor position, except for creating or managing employee schedules. The position strengthens continuity, accountability, and staff support and may serve as the designated lead during the Residential Supervisor’s absence, within the authority assigned by management.
Essential Job Responsibilities
1. Individual Support, Health, and Safety
- Provide respectful, person-centered support consistent with each individual’s Individual Service Plan (ISP), Health Plan, Health Protocols, Behavior Support Plan (BSP), preferences, needs, and goals.
- Assist with personal care, meals, nutrition, hygiene, transportation, appointments, activities, community participation, and other daily living supports as assigned.
- Learn each individual’s routines, communication style, medical needs, providers, professional support, preferences, and risk management requirements.
- Monitor health, safety, emotional well-being, and behavioral needs; respond appropriately and promptly report changes or concerns.
- Follow medication administration, emergency, infection-control, abuse/neglect reporting, and incident-response procedures.
- Help maintain a safe, clean, respectful, and supportive residential environment.
2. Residential Supervisor Support and Cross-Training
- Train alongside the Residential Supervisor to understand the daily operation of the home and the responsibilities necessary to provide continuity during the supervisor’s absence.
- Assist with daily operational tasks, follow-up items, compliance checks, appointments, household needs, supply ordering, grocery planning, menu preparation, vehicle needs, and maintenance requests.
- Learn the processes used to coordinate services with Nursing, the Dietitian, Maintenance, Day Support, families, support coordinators, behavior specialists, healthcare providers, and agency leadership.
- Use a calendar or other approved tracking system to monitor appointments, meetings, deadlines, activities, vehicle maintenance, household needs, and required follow-up.
- Assist the Residential Supervisor with orienting and hands-on training of new employees using the approved New Hire Training Checklist.
- Become familiar with applicable organizational policies, personnel reporting procedures, state requirements, licensing standards, and residential program expectations.
3. Documentation and Compliance Oversight
- Complete all assigned documentation accurately, objectively, and within required timeframes.
- Assist with reviewing daily notes, behavior documentation, incident reports, medication administration records (MARs), and required Therap documentation for accuracy and completion.
- Confirm that required daily documentation is entered for each individual and promptly report missing, incomplete, inaccurate, or questionable entries to the Residential Supervisor.
- Help identify documentation, safety, medication, training, or operational concerns and support timely corrective follow-up.
- Follow procedures for technical problems or system outages and protect confidential information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policy.
4. Incident and Concern Management
- Assess routine concerns, protect the immediate safety of individuals, and use sound judgment consistent with training, policy, and the individual’s plans.
- Respond to accidents, injuries, behavioral events, medication concerns, emergencies, and other incidents within the scope of training.
- Complete and submit required reports and notifications within established timeframes.
- Immediately notify the Residential Supervisor or designated manager of serious, unusual, or unresolved concerns and follow the chain of command.
5. Communication and Coordination
- Maintain clear, timely, and professional communication with individuals, staff, management, families, and professional support, as authorized.
- Share essential information during shift transitions and confirm that important follow-up responsibilities are understood.
- Respond promptly to requests and urgent staff concerns and communicate concerns even when they appear minor.
- Help families and professional team members remain appropriately informed while maintaining confidentiality and respecting assigned communication roles.
6. Staff Leadership, Training, and Accountability
- Lead by example through professionalism, dependability, fairness, accountability, respectful communication, and consistent adherence to policy.
- Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and support to Direct Support Professionals while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Reinforce expectations for individual care, documentation, medication procedures, household routines, communication, and safety.
- Observe staff performance and promptly report on attendance, conduct, care, documentation, or compliance with concerns to the Residential Supervisor or designated manager.
- Support teamwork, identify staff strengths and training needs, and assist with approved staff training and orientation activities.
- Do not independently issue formal discipline, approve leave or overtime, or make employment decisions unless specifically authorized by management.
7. Coverage During the Residential Supervisor’s Absence
- Serve as the designated lead for daily home operations when assigned by management.
- Provide staff direction, monitor completion of assigned duties, and help ensure that individuals receive safe and consistent services.
- Maintain established routines, appointments, medication processes, household responsibilities, and required documentation.
- Escalate emergencies, staffing concerns, medical issues, incidents, and decisions outside the Team Lead’s authority to the Residential Director or other designated manager.
- Provide the Residential Supervisor with a clear update regarding significant events, completed actions, and outstanding follow-up upon the supervisor’s return.
Scheduling Responsibility — Role Boundary
The Team Lead does not create, publish, change, or approve employee schedules. The Team Lead may review the approved schedule to understand coverage, identify or report a coverage concern, communicate callouts, and assist with emergency coordination only as directed by the Residential Supervisor or management.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies
- Knowledge of person-centered practices and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Ability to understand and follow ISPs, Health Plans, health protocols, BSPs, medication procedures, emergency procedures, and agency policies.
- Strong communication, documentation, organization, time management, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to remain calm, flexible, professional, and responsive when plans or priorities change.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, accept feedback, and use the chain of command appropriately.
- Ability to use agency-required email, scheduling-view, incident-reporting, and electronic documentation systems.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED; additional education or leadership training is preferred.
- Direct support or residential-services experience sufficient to demonstrate knowledge of individual care and home operations; prior leadership or mentoring experience is preferred.
- Successful completion and continued maintenance of all training, certifications, screenings, and employment qualifications required by The Arc Macon and applicable regulations.
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record when driving is an assigned essential function.
- Demonstrated record of reliable attendance, punctuality, professional conduct, and accurate documentation.
Work Schedule and Availability
This position requires reliable attendance and flexibility to meet residential program needs. The Team Lead may be assigned evening, weekend, holiday, emergency, or temporary coverage and may be expected to respond to urgent operational concerns in accordance with established expectations. The Team Lead must follow the approved schedule and established procedures for requesting leave, reporting absences, and communicating availability.
Physical and Work Requirements
The employee must be able to perform the physical and environmental requirements of the assigned residential program, with or without reasonable accommodation. Requirements may include standing, walking, bending, reaching, assisting with mobility or transfers as trained, performing household tasks, responding to emergencies, operating a vehicle, and working in home and community settings. Specific requirements should be confirmed based on the assigned home and individuals supported.
General Expectations
This job description summarizes the position’s primary responsibilities and is not intended to list every duty. Responsibilities may be modified, or additional related duties may be assigned based on program needs, employee training, and management direction. The Team Lead remains responsible for following all current policies, procedures, individual plans, and regulatory requirements.
Employee Acknowledgment
I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed this job description. I understand the responsibilities, expectations, role boundaries, and essential functions of the Team Lead position. I understand that this document is not an employment contract and does not alter the at-will employment relationship, where applicable.
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