Direct Support Professional - DSP 1

YAI•Astoria, NY

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal goals, and quality of life. The role provides respectful, person-centered support, emotional care, supervision, and assistance with daily living while protecting each person’s rights, health, wellness, and safety. Support is delivered in accordance with individualized service plans, behavior support plans, applicable safeguards, and regulatory requirements. The position includes personal care and assistance with activities of daily living, medication administration as authorized, skill development, meal preparation, transportation, community participation, advocacy, and safeguarding personal funds. The DSP also implements behavior support strategies, observes and documents behavior and services, communicates changes and concerns to clinical and leadership teams, maintains a safe and therapeutic environment, and participates in team meetings and required training. The role may require coverage at other program or off-site locations, extended shifts, holiday or emergency work, and operating a YAI vehicle when required by the assignment. This is a full-time evening position at Astoria Manor 2 in Astoria, scheduled Tuesday through Saturday, 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Compensation is $18.50 per hour.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling or using objects, tools, and controls.
Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment, push individuals in wheelchairs, and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Physical capacity to perform emergency interventions described in a person’s Behavior Support Plan, including lifting or moving individuals of any weight with or without equipment or assistance from other staff.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including documenting services for billing and tracking.
Enthusiasm for working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, initiative, positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
Ability and willingness to provide a variety of supports and assist 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) within one year of appointment.
Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications required by program assignment and individuals supported, such as Choking – Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel, 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 scheduled hours or shifts and report as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies 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 applicable to the 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 their strengths, interests, abilities, and personal goals while upholding their rights and building positive relationships.
Use respectful, person-first communication and facilitate social connections, activities, and community participation.
Provide supervision, protection, and care, including fire-safety training and appropriate escalation of signs of potential harm to self or others.
Support health, wellness, and safety, including managing 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 needs of people with varying levels of support needs.
Implement person-centered plans, safeguards, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans as written.
Maintain a clean, safe, organized therapeutic environment and use appropriate handling procedures and infection-control protocols.
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 communication, assist with self-expression and dispute resolution, and facilitate ethical decision-making.
Supervise or plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual dietary restrictions and guidelines.
Transport or escort individuals to recreational activities, appointments, home visits, volunteer sites, employment sites, and other locations as needed.
Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard their allowance and other funds.
Develop understanding of person-specific clinical needs, including challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
Implement Behavior Support Plans, collect and record observable behavior data, and report behavioral changes or other signs and symptoms to clinical or leadership teams.
Work effectively with the team and circle of support, communicate program needs, provide feedback, and maintain a solution-oriented approach to conflicts.
Complete required trainings and certifications and apply the skills learned.
Review communication logs and enter event information, progress notes, services, and other data in electronic health record systems.
Complete required records and paperwork accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, maintenance requests, and tracking documentation.
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 regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
Report maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
Consult with program leadership, clinical staff, and other direct support staff and actively participate in team meetings.
Use approved YAI and OPWDD training techniques, including verbal, environmental, and physical interventions, when responding to challenging or self-injurious behavior.
Provide coverage for other direct support staff, including at other YAI or off-site locations, and remain on shift when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
May participate in developing treatment plans.
May operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals when required by the assignment.
Perform other assigned duties.