DSP SR I (TL)

Access Supports•Poughkeepsie, NY

22d

About The Position

Direct Support Professional Seniors provide person-centered services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as part of an interdisciplinary team that may include clinical staff, nurses, families, and advocates. Working under the direction of a Supervisor, they help individuals live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives by supporting daily living needs, health maintenance, safety, advocacy, and development of independent living skills. The position provides Residential Habilitation and Day Habilitation services in individuals’ homes and community settings, as appropriate. Direct Support Professional Seniors are responsible for the health and safety of the people they support and for maintaining required staffing ratios, which may require flexibility across shifts, programs, and sites. They also assist the Direct Support Professional Supervisor with mentoring and training Direct Support Professionals and provide leadership, oversight, and feedback to staff. The role is guided by the NADSP Code of Ethics and NYS DSP Core Competencies. Duties vary in intensity and frequency, from daily total care to verbal support, and include personal care, household tasks, medication administration, transportation, documentation, safety checks, and operational support. The position is based in the Pleasant Valley/Poughkeepsie area of New York and pays $21.00 per hour. The stated schedule is Sunday 8 p.m.–4 p.m. and Monday through Thursday 2 p.m.–10 p.m., for 40 hours per week.

Requirements

Demonstrate the skills and attributes outlined in the NYS DSP Core Competencies.
Ability to work in a diverse and inclusive environment with individuals of various abilities.
Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to understand regulations and document services in real time using electronic technology.
Ability to multitask and prioritize responsibilities.
Ability to accurately count money and complete basic math and banking transactions.
Complete training to become an approved medication administration professional (AMAP) and administer medications accurately while maintaining certification without lapse.
Ability to provide person-centered, culturally competent services.
Ability to maintain staffing ratios and provide continuous care, potentially including weekends and holidays.
Ability to provide on-call coverage for the assigned primary site and cluster of sites.
Ability to access reliable transportation.
Valid, unrestricted, insurable driver’s license.
One of the following education and experience combinations: bachelor’s degree in a related field; associate degree in any field plus 2 years of experience; 4 years of experience; or internal candidate with at least 2 years of experience and demonstrated capacity for increased responsibility.
Internal candidates may also be considered based on demonstrated performance and mastery of core competencies.
The DSP Senior works at a Level 1 site, or at a Level 2 site with four beds or fewer that does not have a shared DSP Supervisor or shared DSP Senior.
Ability to perform all SCIP interventions.
Ability to provide hands-on care to individuals with various physical disabilities, potentially including showering, feeding, and physical assistance.
Ability to perform household cleaning tasks using cleaning supplies.
Ability to ascend and descend stairs and participate in light to moderate physical activities.
Ability to use various electronic devices.
Ability to transport individuals in vehicles ranging in size from sedans to large passenger vans.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English and Spanish speaking is a plus.
Fluency in American Sign Language is a plus.

Responsibilities

Support individuals with advocacy and achieving desired personal outcomes.
Provide health maintenance support, including assistance with medical appointments, medication administration, and healthy meal planning and preparation.
Provide continuous care to ensure the safety of individuals, colleagues, and self.
Complete household tasks as needed, including meal preparation, cleaning, and laundry.
Assist individuals with personal care needs, including hands-on support where needed.
Help individuals develop independent living skills and increase independence.
Serve as a role model by demonstrating appropriate social interactions and using approved crisis intervention techniques and strategies as needed.
Complete documentation and safety checks in accordance with regulations and policies, using electronic applications and paper records.
Assist with scheduling direct care staff.
Transport individuals to community locations using an agency vehicle.
Mentor, train, oversee, and provide feedback to Direct Support Professionals.
Perform other duties as needed or assigned.
Complete mandatory training within the first 90 days and maintain ongoing recertifications.
Participate in team meetings and service plan meetings as necessary.
Ensure service plans are written accurately and on time following life plan meetings.
Provide person-centered, culturally competent services, which may include celebrating holidays and attending religious services.
Maintain approved staffing ratios, including through continuous care and coverage that may include weekends and holidays.
Provide on-call coverage for the primary site and an assigned cluster of sites.
Provide leadership and mentorship to a team of DSPs in a residential setting.
Identify, report, and resolve safety or medical concerns and respond effectively to emergencies and crises.