Direct Support Professional - DSP 1

YAI•Forest Hills, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal goals, and quality of life. The role provides respectful, person-centered support, emotional encouragement, supervision, and care in accordance with individualized service and behavior support plans. It promotes social connection, community participation, advocacy, communication, skill development, and ethical decision-making while maintaining individuals’ rights, health, wellness, and safety. The position assists with activities of daily living and personal care, medication administration, meals, household tasks, transportation, purchases, and safeguarding personal funds, as appropriate and authorized. It implements behavior support plans, observes and documents behavior and changes, responds to crises using approved intervention techniques, and collaborates with program, clinical, and direct support teams. The role also maintains a safe and therapeutic environment; completes required training, records, and documentation; follows applicable policies and regulations, including HIPAA; and may provide coverage at other YAI or off-site locations. Some assignments may require driving a YAI vehicle to transport individuals. This is a full-time evening position at the Austin Street program in Forest Hills, scheduled Tuesday through Saturday, 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The stated compensation is $18.00 per hour.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Ability to meet the essential physical demands of the position, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling or feeling objects, tools, or controls.
Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment, or to push individuals in wheelchairs; ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds on occasion and to carry out emergency interventions as specified in a 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 positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
Ability and willingness to provide a variety of supports and ADL assistance, 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) within one year of appointment.
Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications required by program assignment and the people supported, which may include Choking – Return Demonstration, AMAP, Diabetes Care, CPR, or Tube Feeding, within one year of appointment.
Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships aligned 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 or shifts and/or report as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies to maintain minimum program coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
For assignments requiring transportation of individuals by vehicle, must hold or obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license and Van certification, based on position, location, and program.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Work or life experience supporting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

Support individuals in maximizing strengths, interests, abilities, personal goals, and quality of life while upholding their rights and building positive relationships.
Encourage socialization and facilitate activities that build social connections and community participation using respectful, person-first communication.
Supervise, protect, and care for individuals; maintain program safety guidelines, facilitate fire-safety learning, and escalate signs of potential harm to self or others.
Promote health, wellness, and safety, provide appropriate supervision, and manage crisis situations in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulations.
Provide support in a variety of settings according to individualized service and behavior support plans and the individuals’ levels of need.
Implement person-centered plans, including IPOP safeguards, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans, in accordance with their goals and requirements.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment; use safe handling procedures and infection-control protocols.
Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping.
Ensure medication is administered as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Teach and develop skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, dispute resolution, and ethical decision-making.
Supervise or plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets and liquid consistencies.
Transport or escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer sites, employment sites, and other locations as applicable.
Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds.
Develop an understanding of specialized clinical needs, including challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
Implement Behavior Support Plans as written by the Behavior Intervention Specialist; collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; and report behavioral or other changes to clinical or leadership teams.
Work collaboratively with the circle of support, communicate programmatic needs, provide feedback, and use a solution-oriented approach during conflicts.
Complete required trainings and certifications, apply acquired skills, and maintain compliance with YAI policies and applicable regulations.
Review communication logs and enter daily events, progress notes, services, and other information in electronic health record systems, including Digital Agency and eMAR.
Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and within applicable timeframes, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, and tracking records.
Use foundational and progressive teaching skills, including Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate (EMOE), task analysis, essential skills, supports, and modifications.
Use person-centered thinking to understand behavior as communication and support positive interactions and de-escalation.
Comply with applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
Consult with program leadership, clinical staff, and direct support staff; attend and actively participate in team meetings.
Use approved YAI and OPWDD verbal, environmental, and physical intervention techniques, including take-downs, to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior and protect the health and safety of individuals and others.
Provide coverage for other direct support staff as requested, including at another YAI or off-site location, and remain beyond the scheduled shift when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
May participate in developing treatment plans.
For certain assignments, operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals when required and properly credentialed.
Perform other duties as assigned.