Direct Support Professional - Westchester

YAI • Rye Brook, NY

4d • $19 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

YAI is hiring Direct Support Professionals for residential and day services at locations throughout Westchester County, New York, including Rye Brook, Port Chester, and Mamaroneck. The role supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in pursuing personal goals and living, learning, working, and participating in their communities. Full-time and part-time positions are available, with weekday and/or weekend schedules and morning, evening, or overnight shifts.

Direct Support Professionals provide person-centered supervision, care, and assistance in accordance with each individual's service and behavior support plans. Support may include personal care and activities of daily living, medication administration, teaching and skill development, meal planning, transportation, community participation, and safeguarding personal funds. The role also involves implementing behavior support plans, observing and documenting behavior and services, communicating changes or concerns to clinical and leadership teams, maintaining a safe environment, and collaborating with individuals, colleagues, and other members of their support network.

The position requires completion of applicable training and certifications, accurate electronic health record and other required documentation, and compliance with YAI policies and relevant regulations, including HIPAA. Depending on assignment, the employee may transport individuals in a YAI vehicle, cover shifts or other locations, remain beyond scheduled hours to maintain program coverage, and work during holidays, inclement weather, or emergencies. The role has physical demands that include frequent movement, assisting with transfers and mobility, occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds, and implementing emergency interventions as needed.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to meet the 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 and/or push individuals in wheelchairs; ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds occasionally and to implement emergency interventions as needed, with or without equipment or assistance from other staff.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document services for billing and tracking purposes.
• Enthusiasm for working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and willingness to take initiative.
• Ability to demonstrate positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion in interactions.
• Ability and willingness to provide a variety of supports and activities of daily living, 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 within one year of appointment, Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention–Revised (SCIP-R) certification.
• Must hold, or obtain and maintain within one year of appointment, additional certifications required by the program and individuals supported; examples include Choking Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel, Diabetes Care, CPR, and Tube Feeding.
• 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 report to work as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies when needed to maintain minimum program coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
• For assignments involving transportation, must hold, or obtain and maintain, a valid driver's license and Van certification as required by position, location, or program.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities; uphold their personal rights and build positive relationships.
• Help individuals pursue quality-of-life goals through respectful, person-first communication, social engagement, and community connections.
• Provide supervision, protection, and care, including maintaining program safety guidelines, teaching fire safety, and escalating signs of potential harm.
• Promote health, wellness, and safety; supervise individuals and manage crises in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Provide supports in a variety of settings according to individualized service and behavior support plans and each person's level of need.
• Implement person-centered plans, including protective oversight, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment; follow safe handling and infection-control procedures.
• Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping.
• Administer medication as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines.
• Teach and develop skills, support advocacy and self-expression, help resolve disputes, and facilitate ethical decision-making.
• Plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets or liquid consistencies.
• Transport or escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer opportunities, and employment sites.
• Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds.
• Develop person-specific clinical knowledge, including knowledge relevant to adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
• Implement Behavior Support Plans as written by a Behavior Intervention Specialist; collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; and report changes or symptoms to clinical or leadership teams.
• Collaborate as a member of the support team, communicate program needs, provide feedback, and maintain a solution-oriented approach to conflicts.
• Complete and maintain required training and certifications and apply the skills learned.
• Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, services, and other information using electronic health record systems such as Digital Agency and eMAR.
• Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, phone calls, and incident tracking.
• Use foundational and progressive teaching skills, including Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate, task analysis, and appropriate supports and modifications.
• Understand behavior as communication and use person-centered approaches to support positive interactions and prevent escalation.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, local, and other regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
• Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
• Consult and coordinate with program leadership, clinical staff, and direct support staff; attend and actively participate in team meetings.
• Use approved YAI and OPWDD training techniques, including verbal, environmental, and physical interventions, to respond appropriately to challenging or self-injurious behavior and protect the safety of individuals and others.
• Provide coverage for other direct support staff when requested, including at other YAI or off-site locations, and remain on shift when needed to maintain minimum program coverage.
• May participate in developing treatment plans.
• For certain assignments, operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals, with required credentials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• DailyPay access, allowing employees to receive pay for work completed that day.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and more extensive medical plan options, as well as vision coverage.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed