ICF- DSP-1
About The Position
The Direct Support Professional I (DSP-I) – Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) provides compassionate, person-centered care and active treatment to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who require a higher level of medical, behavioral, physical, and personal support. DSPs assist individuals in living safe, healthy, meaningful lives while preserving each person's dignity, rights, preferences, and opportunities for growth. The DSP is an essential member of an interdisciplinary team and works closely with nurses, therapists, physicians, clinicians, supervisors, and families to ensure each individual receives high-quality care while maintaining the greatest possible level of independence. Although many individuals require extensive assistance with daily activities, every person is encouraged to participate in decisions, activities, community life, and skill development according to their abilities.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED (unless participating in the Associate DSP Program)
- Ability to complete all required OPWDD and ICF training requirements.
- Ability to obtain and maintain SCIP, CPR, First Aid, and Medication Administration Certification.
- Valid New York State Driver's License for Driver positions.
- Driving record acceptable under New Hope Community insurance standards.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Experience providing personal care.
- Healthcare, CNA, HHA, or Human Services experience.
- Strong observation and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
Responsibilities
- Provide individualized supports that encourage each person to develop and maintain maximum independence and quality of life.
- Develop respectful and trusting relationships.
- Encourage participation in everyday decisions.
- Promote dignity, choice, and self-worth.
- Support goals identified in the Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
- Teach and reinforce daily living skills whenever possible.
- Utilize positive behavioral supports and trauma-informed approaches.
- Recognize each individual's strengths while providing necessary assistance.
- Provide hands-on assistance appropriate to each individual's needs, including bathing, grooming, oral hygiene, dressing, toileting, continence care, feeding assistance, positioning, range-of-motion assistance, mobility support, wheelchair assistance, and transfers utilizing approved lifting techniques and equipment.
- Monitor skin integrity, and food and fluid intake, and elimination patterns.
- Administer medications upon certification.
- Monitor individuals for changes in physical or emotional condition.
- Report health concerns immediately.
- Record observations accurately.
- Monitor nutrition and hydration.
- Assist with specialized diets.
- Support adaptive medical equipment.
- Recognize signs of illness or distress.
- Follow physician and nursing instructions.
- Assist during medical appointments.
- Implement Behavior Support Plans.
- Utilize approved de-escalation techniques.
- Maintain calm, professional interactions.
- Document behavioral events objectively.
- Support emotional regulation.
- Reinforce positive behaviors.
- Ensure the safety of all individuals.
- Maintain a safe, sanitary, therapeutic home environment by assisting with meal preparation, feeding assistance, housekeeping, laundry, infection prevention, cleaning and disinfecting, inventory management, maintaining adaptive equipment, and ensuring emergency equipment remains accessible.
- Actively encourage participation in community life including day programs, restaurants, shopping, religious services, parks, community events, sporting events, movies, family visits, vacations, therapeutic recreation, and medical appointments.
- Safely transport individuals using agency vehicles (when assigned Driver Status).
- Conduct vehicle safety inspections.
- Secure wheelchairs and adaptive equipment when necessary.
- Assist individuals entering and exiting vehicles safely.
- Complete timely and accurate documentation including daily progress notes, active treatment documentation, goal tracking, medication administration records (MARs), incident reports, accident reports, behavioral documentation, shift communication logs, health observations, electronic health record documentation, and OPWDD and ICF regulatory documentation.
- Maintain continuous awareness of individuals' health and safety.
- Follow infection prevention protocols.
- Utilize Universal Precautions.
- Respond appropriately during medical emergencies.
- Perform CPR and First Aid when required.
- Utilize SCIP interventions when appropriate.
- Recognize signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- Immediately report significant incidents.
- Maintain required certifications.
- Ensure emergency equipment is readily available and operational.
- Work collaboratively with nurses, physicians, therapists, specialists, psychologists, dietitians, managers, families, care coordinators, and fellow DSPs.
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, care planning, shift reports, clinical reviews, training, and quality improvement initiatives.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
