Direct Support Professional - DSP 1

YAI•New York City, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

YAI is hiring a Direct Support Professional to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Little Neck Parkway program. The role provides person-centered assistance that promotes individuals’ strengths, interests, abilities, personal rights, quality of life, independence, social connections, and community participation. The position is full-time overnight, 10:30 p.m.–6:30 a.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The Direct Support Professional provides supervision, protection, personal care, and support in accordance with individualized service plans, behavior support plans, supervision levels, safeguards, and applicable policies and regulations. Duties may include assistance with activities of daily living, medication administration, meals, skill development, communication, advocacy, money management, transportation, and participation in recreational, medical, volunteer, employment, and other activities. The role also involves responding to crisis situations, implementing approved behavior interventions, documenting services and incidents, and collaborating with individuals’ support teams. Employees must complete required training and certifications, maintain accurate documentation, follow infection-control and safety procedures, and comply with applicable regulatory requirements, including HIPAA. Depending on assignment, the employee may need to operate a YAI vehicle and obtain the required driver’s license and van certification. The role may require coverage beyond scheduled hours or on holidays and during emergencies to maintain program staffing.

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 other staff, push individuals in wheelchairs, and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Physical capacity to implement emergency interventions specified in an individual’s Behavior Support Plan, including lifting or moving individuals 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.
Enthusiasm for working with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, willingness to take initiative, and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
Ability and willingness to provide varied supports and assistance with 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 Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention–Revised (SCIP-R) certification within one year of appointment.
Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications required by the program assignment and people supported, potentially including choking return demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP), diabetes care, CPR, and 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 under stress and work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled hours or shifts, and to report as scheduled on holidays, during inclement weather, or during emergencies to maintain minimum program coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
For assignments requiring transportation of individuals, must hold or obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license and van certification, as required by the 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, abilities, personal rights, and personal goals, while building positive relationships and encouraging community connections.
Provide supervision, protection, and care, including maintaining program safeguards, teaching fire safety, and identifying and escalating potential harm to individuals or others.
Promote health, wellness, and safety; manage crisis situations in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
Provide support in a variety of settings according to individualized service plans and behavior support plans, supervision levels, and safeguards.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment; use safe handling procedures and follow infection-control protocols.
Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, laundry, and housekeeping, as appropriate and authorized.
Ensure medications are administered as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Teach and develop skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, ethical decision-making, and dispute resolution.
Supervise or plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual dietary restrictions and guidelines.
Transport or escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer or employment sites, and other locations.
Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds.
Implement behavior support plans, collect and document observable behavior data, and report behavioral or health changes to clinical or leadership staff.
Work collaboratively with the support team, communicate program needs, provide feedback, participate in team meetings, and maintain a solution-oriented approach.
Complete required training and certifications and apply learned skills in accordance with YAI policies and applicable regulations.
Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, services, and other information in electronic systems, including electronic health and medication administration records.
Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, and tracking records.
Use foundational and progressive teaching skills, and apply person-centered approaches to understand behavior as communication and prevent escalation.
Comply with federal, state, local, and other applicable regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
Use approved YAI and OPWDD verbal, environmental, and physical intervention techniques, including take-downs, when appropriate to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior.
Provide coverage for other direct support staff as requested, potentially at another YAI or off-site location, and remain on shift when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
May participate in developing treatment plans.
For certain assignments, operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals, if appropriately credentialed.
Perform other duties as assigned.