Community DSP OPWDD - Community Based

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.•Old Bethpage, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to support people of all abilities reach their full potential and thrive in their communities. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy. POSITION SUMMARY Under the supervision of the Manager or Senior Manager, the Community Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides habilitation services to individuals in community-based settings to support skill development, independence, and meaningful community integration. Services focus on assisting individuals with activities of daily living and building skills related to communication, socialization, transportation, problem-solving, money management, life safety, and other areas that promote independence and valued outcomes. Habilitation services are primarily community-based and typically center on recreational, volunteer, and social opportunities. The Community DSP is responsible for organizing and implementing services in a manner that promotes health, safety, and personal choice while adhering to all agency policies, procedures, mission, and values. This role requires the ability to speak, read, and write in English at a level sufficient to successfully complete required training, understand and follow support plans, communicate with care teams and providers, accurately document services and patient information, and to comply with health and safety standards.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent is required
Functional proficiency in spoken and written English
Proficient writing skills with grasp of basic grammar and spelling
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential
Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills
18 years of age or older
Valid Driver’s License and satisfy criteria to be a driver for the agency is required
Must be able to be reached by phone
Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
Employee is required to reach with hands and arms.
Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed.
Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time.

Nice To Haves

Experience performing related job duties preferred
Proficient computer skills preferred

Responsibilities

Works with the people we support to help them identify and realize their personal life goals.
Advocates with the people we support in a variety of situations.
Works with the people we support to teach them new life skills.
Works in partnership with the people we support to promote their health and safety.
Assists the people we support to overcome barriers and challenges to establishing and maintaining a network of relationships and valued social roles.
Works with the people we support and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that aid the person in achieving their personal life goals.
Provides positive behavior support to the people we support as necessary.
Prevents, recognizes and reports abuse toward the people we support.
Provides direct services, in person only, that support the participant(s) in a least restrictive manner. The Community DSP teaches, assists, and motivates 1 or more participants in identifying activities that reflect the participant(s) wishes based on the participants objectives and valued outcomes identified in the Life Plan and assist them with developing more independence in those areas.
Assists with participant(s) abilities including areas of self-care, independent living, community integration, etc. as directed in the Staff Action Plan.
Responds appropriately to crisis/emergency situations in order to ensure and secure the safety and well-being of participant(s). Response includes acting appropriately to severity of the situation, adherence to regulatory/agency guidelines, communication and documentation of situation to appropriate staff, honor the participant’s right to assume risk in an informed manner, etc. Prevents abuse and correctly follows procedures for responding and mandated reporting to Agency and Justice Center representatives/personnel as directed. Works with participant(s) and their support network to identify areas of risk and to create safeguards to those concerns.
Proactively and respectfully addresses challenging behaviors with the participant & their Supervisor as needed.
Attends IDT-Interdisciplinary team meetings, or Life Plans meetings, and participates in required trainings, including but not limited to behavioral and medical trainings, as needed.
Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed /processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.
Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.