Direct Support Professional

Helen Keller Services • Sands Point, NY

56d • Onsite

About The Position

Helen Keller Services (HKS) is seeking a Direct Support Professional to join the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) team. HKNC has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss since 1967. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. This is a part-time, in-person position located in a group home in Port Washington, NY. The Direct Support Professional is responsible for providing support to residents in areas such as communication, personal management, home management, money management, community skills, vocation, leisure, and the use of behavior as communication.

Requirements

• High school diploma
• Must possess a valid New York State Driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Four years of paid experience as a residence/group home aide working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities preferred
• One year of experience working with individuals who are DeafBlind, blind, deaf or individuals with multiple disabilities preferred
• Familiarity with American Sign Language highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide consistent instruction in personal grooming, communication, home management, wardrobe management, community skills, vocation, leisure and behavior support, under guidance of the Program Advisor and Assistant Program Advisor.
• Participate in programming that promotes an atmosphere conducive to the growth of all residents and encourages maximum independence and interdependence in all areas of living.
• Provide consistent regular checks on all consumers during shift, ensuring safety and well-being.
• Assist consumers with safe evacuation in the event of an emergency at the home, work site or in the community. Participate in regularly scheduled drills to prepare for such emergencies.
• Accompany and serve as a guide and/or a facilitator of communication for consumers and professional staff members, when assigned. May be required to use personal vehicle on occasion.
• Become CPR and First Aid certified.
• Dispense consumer medications after passing the AMAP course. Must become AMAP certified and maintain this certification as a condition of continued employment.
• Required to sleep-in as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Time
• Personal Days
• Paid Holidays
• Fully-Paid Medical Insurance
• Short Term Disability/ Life Insurance
• Voluntary Ancillary plans
• 403b Program with Employer Match
• Tuition Assistance
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Option to accept the position "No-Frills" for an additional 10% premium on the hourly rate of pay (does not include Union Health Insurance Plan, requires alternative insurance).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED