Direct Support Professional - DSP 2

YAI • Kingston, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This role performs all duties of a DSP 1, ensuring the overall supervision, protection, and care of individuals. The DSP 2 assists individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities while upholding their personal rights and facilitating activities that provide social capital and connections to the community. This position ensures health, wellness, and safety by providing appropriate supervision in various settings and supporting individuals with varying levels of need, in accordance with their individualized service and behavior support plans. The DSP 2 takes the lead during crisis situations, effectively deescalating issues and directing DSP 1s. They ensure the implementation of person-centered, individualized plans, including protective oversight and Behavior Support Plans (BSPs). The DSP 2 models professionalism, maintains a clean and safe environment, and utilizes safe handling procedures. They assist with personal care, medication administration, teaching skills, advocacy, communication, meal preparation, transportation, and financial management. This role requires specialized clinical knowledge to provide effective supports and serves as a role model for other staff. The DSP 2 implements Behavior Support Plans, collects and summarizes data, and reports any changes or concerns to the clinical and/or leadership team. They are a member of a highly effective team, communicating programmatic needs and maintaining a solution-oriented approach. The DSP 2 completes and maintains all necessary trainings and certifications, reviews communication logs, and enters data into electronic health records. They complete and maintain all required paperwork and documentation for compliance and billing. The DSP 2 uses foundational teaching skills and participates in team meetings, potentially running shift meetings. They utilize approved training techniques to respond to challenging behaviors and may provide training to less-experienced staff. The DSP 2 provides coverage for other direct support staff as requested, potentially at other locations. They comply with all regulatory agency requirements, including HIPAA. The DSP 2 may assist with administrative tasks, participate in the implementation of changes, prepare monthly summaries, and participate in life plan meetings. For certain assignments, they may be required to operate a YAI motor vehicle. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; assisting with lifting/moving individuals of any weight with assistance of mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or pushing individuals in wheelchairs; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Behavior Support Plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff.
• Effective written and oral communication skills including the ability to appropriately document services provided for billing and tracking purposes.
• Enthusiasm for working with people with I/DD, willingness to take initiative and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience and empathy and compassion in all interactions.
• Ability and willingness to assist with a variety of supports and ADLs as requested, including regular exposure to and handling of various bodily fluids.
• Basic computer skills – including email, utilizing Workday and related systems (DA, etc.) to complete tasks.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R) within one (1) year of appointment.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications as required by program assignment and persons supported (for example: Choking – Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP), Diabetes Care, CPR, Tube Feeding, etc.) within one (1) year of appointment.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships in alignment 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 regularly scheduled hours/shift and/or to report to work as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather or during other emergencies to maintain minimum coverage requirements of program, unless otherwise authorized.
• For assignments that require transporting persons supported by vehicle, must hold or obtain and maintain valid Driver’s License and Van certification (based on position/location/program).

Nice To Haves

• Work or life experience supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities
• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or another Human Services field; and at least two (2) years of relevant experience; or Be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program in a human services field; or High School Diploma or its education equivalent and at least four (4) years of relevant experience; or Satisfactory combination of education, experience and/or training as authorized by START/NCSS and/or appropriate State regulatory agency (e.g. OPWDD, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Performs all duties of DSP 1, ensuring overall supervision, protection, and care of individuals.
• Assists individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities, while upholding their personal rights and facilitating activities that provide social capital and connections to the community.
• Ensures health, wellness, and safety by providing appropriate supervision in various settings and supporting individuals with varying levels of need, in accordance with individualized service and behavior support plans.
• Takes the lead during crisis situations, effectively deescalating situations and directing DSP 1s.
• Ensures implementation of person-centered, individualized plans, including protective oversight (IPOPs) and Behavior Support Plans (BSPs).
• Models professionalism, maintains a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment.
• Utilizes safe and appropriate handling procedures and implements infection control protocols.
• Assists with personal care and activities of daily living (ADLs), including intimate care and personal hygiene.
• Ensures medication is administered as prescribed.
• Teaches and develops skills.
• Supports person-centered advocacy with individuals and for individuals with I/DD.
• Assists in communication, self-expression, and resolving disputes amongst individuals.
• Facilitates ethical decision-making.
• Provides supervision for and/or plans and prepares balanced meals and snacks in accordance with dietary restrictions.
• Transports and escorts individuals on recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer and/or employment sites.
• Assists people supported with making purchases and safeguarding personal allowance funds.
• Understands and uses specialized clinical knowledge of person-specific needs to provide effective supports.
• Implements Behavior Support Plan as written by Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS).
• Collects, records, and summarizes data on individuals’ observable behavior.
• Observes and reports any changes in behavior, or other signs and symptoms and/or potential concerns, to clinical and/or leadership team.
• Reports maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns observed at YAI facilities to Program Supervisor or appropriate designee.
• Serves as a member of a highly effective team, providing feedback and communicating programmatic needs.
• Appropriately communicates concerns and/or issues relating to team dynamics and situations with persons supported to supervisor, clinical staff and/or other leadership.
• Communicates by phone, email and/or in person with circles of support, including families and external providers.
• Completes and maintains all necessary trainings and certifications.
• Reviews communication logs daily and makes entries of events, progress notes, services and/or information.
• Collects and enters data as part of daily operations using an electronic health record.
• Reviews and completes all other required paperwork and documentation.
• Uses foundational teaching skills (Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate [EMOE], task analysis, essential skills, supports and modifications, etc.) and progressive teaching.
• Attends and actively participates in team meetings as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT).
• Utilizes/demonstrates approved YAI and OPWDD training techniques to respond timely and appropriately to challenging and/or self-injurious behavior.
• Provides coverage for other direct support staff as requested, which may include assisting at another YAI or off-site location.
• Complies with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including HIPAA.
• May perform, assist with and/or guide less experienced staff with a variety of administrative tasks relating to financial, clinical and/or medical functions.
• May participate in the implementation of changes, including new processes, procedures or systems.
• May assist with or prepare monthlies for persons supported by reviewing and accurately summarizing progress data.
• May participate in life plan meetings for persons supported and development of treatment plans.
• May participate in and/or guide less experienced staff with writing services and safeguards, establishing goals and informing updates to life and/or staff action plans.
• For certain assignments, may be required to operate YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Benefits

• Consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED