CDS-E: Direct Support Professionalism

Portfolio Options

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CDS-E: Direct Support Professionalism

Portfolios are a way to demonstrate skill when learners cannot be observed in a work environment. They offer organized evidence that learners have the right skills, knowledge, and attitudes for the job. They can be used for credit-for-prior-learning in academic settings. They can be used by employers as part of a hiring process. They can also be a development task that gives structure to employee learning and an opportunity to share that learning. The following is an example or examples of how portfolio materials relate to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that could be gained through completing this content. These assignments usually show an advanced level of competence (although they can be learning opportunities for new workers, too). They may take several weeks to complete. However, not all of these will apply to every learner's situation. They can also be adapted as needed. You do not have to complete these assignments, but if you do, work samples must maintain the confidentiality of the individuals being supported. You should seek permission from the person you support and any legal substitute decision-maker, if applicable. Remove any names and identifying information from the original documents. However, you may leave your name on the sample. Reviewers of the portfolio may ask for proof that permission to use the sample was obtained. Portfolio options for this course are listed below.

The National Alliance on Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) has an E-Badge Program for credentialing. DirectCourse content is an approved curriculum for educational E-Badges. In addition, they may support practices that help you gain and demonstrate skills related to E-Badges. The area where this content is most closely aligned to an E-Badge is identified below.

Lesson 1: CDS-E: Becoming a Direct Support Professional

Portfolio Description:

• The direct support professional creates a Professional Development Plan addressing their professionalism. This plan should include their strengths as well as challenge areas or weaknesses. How will the direct support professional continue their professionalism? How will they try to improve their weaknesses?
• The direct support professional (DSP) writes a journal entry reflecting on how changes in human service have changed the DSP role. Include changes on how supports and services have changed.
• The direct support professional writes a critical reflection of their own professional work. Describe examples of when they demonstrated professionalism. What did that look like and what did you do? Include examples when professionalism could have been improved. What did that look like and what did you do? Finally, the direct support professional should write about how they intend to ensure their professionalism in the future.

NADSP E-Badge Connection: Content from this lesson is most likely going to help learners achieve the NADSP E-Badge for Professional Development. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - Direct Service Workforce Core Competency most closely connected to this content is part of Professionalism and Ethics: 12.A. Completes training and continues to develop skills and seek certification. This lesson also aligns with the NADSP Education, Training, and Self-Development.

Lesson 2: CDS-E: Contemporary Best Practices

Portfolio Description:

• The direct support professional develops a photo essay demonstrating consumer outcomes that are consistent with best practices (for example, with the individual's permission, the DSP includes a photo of the individual she or he supports participating and included in community life and a narrative explaining how s/he assisted the person in this process).
• The direct support professional writes a list of ideas on how to promote choice making for a person they support. The DSP includes a description about how these ideas can be implemented to provide the best service and support.
• The direct support professional (DSP) researches various advocacy organizations (online telephone, literature, etc.) to understand their positions on self-determination and community inclusion. The DSP gathers the information, summarizes it into an outline, types it out, and then presents the summary orally and in written form to their supervisor. In the presentation, the DSP comments on how the research findings were similar and different from the work being done at their place of employment.

NADSP E-Badge Connection: Content from this lesson is most likely going to help learners achieve the NADSP E-Badge for Community Networking. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - Direct Service Workforce Core Competency most closely connected to this content is part of Community Inclusion and Networking: 10.A. Encourages and assists individuals in connecting with others and developing social and valued social and/or work roles based on his or her choices. This lesson also aligns with the NADSP Competency of Community and Service Networking.

Lesson 3: CDS-E: Applying Ethics in Everyday Work

Portfolio Description:

• The direct support professional reviews the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Code of Ethics. They then write a reflection regarding any personal ethics that may be inconsistent with the NADSP Code of Ethics. This reflection includes how this inconsistency may affect their work and how the conflicts will be reconciled.
• The direct support professional (DSP) will write a reflection on a past ethical dilemma. They will include how they resolved this dilemma, what was learned from the experience, and what they could do to improve their ethical dilemma strategies and problem-solving skills. The DSP will also include how the NADSP Code of Ethics did or could have, aided them in resolving this issue.

NADSP E-Badge Connection: Content from this lesson is most likely going to help learners achieve the NADSP E-Badge for Ethics Roadmap. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - Direct Service Workforce Core Competency most closely connected to this content is part of Professionalism and Ethics: 6.A. Follows relevant laws, regulations and is guided by ethical standards when doing work tasks. This lesson also aligns with the NADSP Competency of Facilitation of Services.

Lesson 4: CDS-E: Practicing Confidentiality and Privacy

Portfolio Description:

• The direct support professional describes examples of confidential information that they have handled. The DSP includes the methods used to ensure privacy and confidentiality. They explain how confidentiality can be improved and why this is necessary.
• The direct support professional writes a description of support activities that proactively assist a person in obtaining the privacy they desire. Explain the steps taken to make this happen.
• The direct support professional participates in discussion with their supervisor about confidentiality at their workplace. The review should include the employer's procedures and policies concerning confidentiality.

NADSP E-Badge Connection: Content from this lesson should help learners achieve the NADSP E-Badge for Respecting Confidentiality. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - Direct Service Workforce Core Competency most closely connected to this content is part of Professionalism and Ethics: 6.E. Respects the individual and his or her families’ right to privacy, respect, and dignity. This lesson also aligns with the NADSP Facilitation of Services.

Lesson 5: CDS-E: Working with Your Strengths

Portfolio Description:

• The direct support professional writes a comparison of their personal and professional interests and strengths to that of a person they support. What strengths and interests are similar? Which are different? How might these similarities and differences influence the support given to that person?
• The direct support professional (DSP) designs and completes a self-survey of their personal and professional interests and strengths. The DSP includes a description of how these interests and strengths could be useful when providing support to a specific person.
• The direct support professional (DSP) writes a reflection of their professional challenge areas or weaknesses. They include a description of how these weaknesses may influence their work as a DSP. The DSP works with a supervisor or mentor to develop a plan to address these weaknesses. Including further training and support in areas deemed appropriate.

NADSP E-Badge Connection: Content from this lesson is most likely going to help learners achieve the NADSP E-Badge for Self-Care. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) - Direct Service Workforce Core Competency most connected to this content is part of Professionalism and Ethics: 6.D. Seeks to reduce personal stress and increase wellness. It also aligns with the NADSP Competency of Education, Training, and Self-Development.