Day Habilitation Direct Support Professional - Suffolk County

YAI • Brentwood, NY

5d • $19 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

YAI is hiring Direct Support Professionals for its Brentwood and Coram locations in Suffolk County. DSPs work closely with people of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), providing support at a day habilitation center or in the community according to each person’s needs. The role supports YAI’s mission to create opportunities for people with I/DD to live, love, work, and learn in their communities.

DSPs provide person-centered support that promotes individuals’ goals, rights, independence, relationships, community participation, health, wellness, and safety. They follow individualized service, behavior support, and supervision plans; assist with personal care and daily living activities; support learning and communication; respond to crises; and document services and observations. The position involves collaboration with individuals’ support teams, clinical and program leadership, and other direct support staff.

This is a weekday position with full-time and part-time schedules listed. Shifts include 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Compensation is $18.50–$19.55 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling or manipulating objects, tools, or controls.
• Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or to push individuals in wheelchairs; ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds occasionally and to carry out emergency interventions as required by a person’s Behavior Support Plan.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document services for billing and tracking.
• Enthusiasm for working with people with I/DD, willingness to take initiative, and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
• Willingness and ability to assist with varied supports and activities of daily living, including regular exposure to and handling of bodily fluids.
• Basic computer skills, including email and use of Workday and related systems such as Digital Agency.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention–Revised (SCIP-R) certification within one year of appointment.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain any additional certifications required for the program and people supported, such as Choking Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP), Diabetes Care, CPR, or Tube Feeding, within one year of appointment.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships consistent with YAI’s mission and vision.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work beyond scheduled hours or shifts and/or report to work as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies to maintain minimum program coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
• For assignments involving transportation of individuals, must hold or obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license and Van certification, as applicable to the position, location, and program.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or educational equivalent.
• Work or life experience in the I/DD field is a plus, but is not mandatory for DSP 1 positions.
• For elevated DSP positions, at least three years of direct support professional experience with the I/DD population and required YAI certifications for the setting, obtained and maintained within six months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities while upholding their personal rights and providing emotional support.
• Help people pursue personal quality-of-life goals through respectful, person-first communication, social engagement, and community connections.
• Supervise, protect, and care for individuals; maintain program safeguards; facilitate fire-safety learning; and identify and escalate potential risks of harm.
• Promote individuals’ health, wellness, and safety, including managing crisis situations in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Provide support in a variety of settings according to individualized service and behavior support plans and applicable OPWDD Core Competencies.
• Implement person-centered plans, including IPOP safeguards, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized therapeutic environment and follow safe handling and infection-control procedures.
• Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, laundry, and housekeeping, as authorized and appropriate.
• Administer medication as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines.
• Teach and develop skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, ethical decision-making, and dispute resolution.
• Plan and prepare, or supervise, balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individuals’ dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets or liquid consistencies.
• Transport or escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer sites, employment sites, and other destinations as required.
• Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds.
• Develop specialized clinical knowledge relevant to the people supported, including adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
• Implement Behavior Support Plans as written by a Behavior Intervention Specialist; collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; and report changes or symptoms to clinical or leadership staff.
• Collaborate with the support team, communicate program needs, provide feedback, participate in team meetings, and maintain a solution-oriented approach to conflicts.
• Complete and maintain required trainings and certifications and apply the skills learned.
• Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, service information, and operational data in electronic systems, including an electronic health record and eMAR where applicable.
• Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, and incident tracking.
• Use foundational and progressive teaching methods, including Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate, task analysis, and appropriate supports and modifications.
• Recognize behavior as communication and use person-centered approaches to support positive interactions and prevent escalation.
• Comply with relevant federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
• Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
• Consult and coordinate with program leadership, clinical staff, and direct support staff to provide high-quality care.
• Use approved YAI and OPWDD verbal, environmental, and physical intervention techniques, including takedowns, when needed to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior while protecting the safety of individuals and others.
• Provide coverage for other direct support staff as requested, potentially at another YAI or off-site location, and remain on shift when needed to maintain minimum program coverage.
• Participate in treatment-plan development when assigned.
• Operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals when required by the assignment and when appropriately credentialed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• DailyPay access.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options for full-time positions, including family and more extensive medical-plan options.
• Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time, depending on employment time type.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Life insurance and long-term disability.
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed