Direct Support Professional

YAI•West Milford, NJ

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal rights, and quality of life. The role provides person-centered supervision, emotional support, daily living assistance, habilitative and rehabilitative skills development, and opportunities for social connection and community participation. Support is delivered in a variety of settings according to each person’s individualized service and behavior support plans, supervision levels, safeguards, and applicable regulations. The position helps maintain individuals’ health, wellness, and safety; responds to crises and challenging or self-injurious behavior using approved techniques; supports medication administration and medical appointments; and assists with meals, personal care, household tasks, transportation, community activities, and personal funds. The role also records observations and service information, communicates with families and providers as directed, participates in team coordination, and completes required training and documentation. The position may provide coverage across programs and settings in the assigned region, including off-site locations.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
High school diploma or educational equivalent.
Must hold or obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license with no more than five points.
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, fingering, or feeling objects, tools, or controls.
Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment, push individuals in wheelchairs, and lift or move up to 25 pounds on occasion; must also have the physical capacity to implement emergency interventions as required by an individual’s Behavior Support Plan.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document services for billing and tracking.
Enthusiasm for supporting people with I/DD, willingness to take initiative, and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
Ability and willingness to assist with 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 certifications and trainings required by the program assignment and the people supported, including Non-Crisis Invention training, American Heart Association CPR/First Aid certification, NJ Medication Administration certification, and Positive Behavior Supports training, as scheduled by a supervisor or designee, within 120 days 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.

Nice To Haves

Work or life experience supporting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities, clinical syndromes, and/or I/DD with co-occurring behavioral or mental health needs.

Responsibilities

Support individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal rights, and quality of life, while building positive relationships and providing emotional support.
Use respectful, person-first communication; encourage socializing; and facilitate activities that build community connections and social capital.
Supervise and protect individuals, maintain program safeguards, teach fire safety, and identify and escalate signs of possible 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 in accordance with individualized service plans, behavior support plans, supervision levels, and DDD standards.
Implement person-centered plans, including Behavior Support Plans, Individualized Service Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment and use safe handling and infection-control procedures.
Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including hygiene, bathing, dressing, toileting, laundry, and housekeeping.
Teach and develop habilitative and rehabilitative skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, dispute resolution, and ethical decision-making.
Plan and prepare or supervise balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets and liquid consistencies.
Transport and escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer opportunities, employment sites, and other locations.
Help plan schedules and community or therapeutic activities, assist individuals with purchases, and safeguard their allowance and other funds.
Administer medication as prescribed and assist with medication inventory, cabinet checks, over-the-counter inventory, and reordering medication or supplies.
Assist with scheduling medical appointments and ensure follow-up appointments are scheduled and attended in a timely manner.
Use petty cash, house funds, and store cards appropriately and maintain purchase documentation and receipts in coordination with a supervisor.
Operate agency vehicles and maintain related logs and maintenance sheets; coordinate appointments with a supervisor.
Develop knowledge of specialized clinical needs, including challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
Implement behavior support plans, guidelines, and protocols; collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; and report behavioral changes and other signs or symptoms to clinical or leadership teams.
Communicate with families, circles of support, and external providers by phone, email, or in person as directed by clinical or program leadership.
Work collaboratively with the support team, communicate program needs, provide feedback, and use a solution-oriented approach to conflicts.
Complete and maintain required training and certifications, including specialized program- and position-related training, and apply learned skills.
Review communication logs and enter daily events, progress notes, services, and other information using prescribed systems, including electronic health and medication 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, including Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate, task analysis, essential skills, supports, and modifications.
Understand behavior as communication and use person-centered approaches to support positive interactions and prevent escalation.
Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
Consult with program leadership, clinical staff, and direct support colleagues; attend and actively participate in team meetings.
Use approved YAI and NJ DDD training techniques, including verbal, environmental, and physical interventions, to respond appropriately to challenging or self-injurious behavior and protect the health and safety of individuals, self, and others.
Provide support or coverage across settings and programs in the assigned region, including off-site locations such as hospitals, and remain on shift or report to another program when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
May participate in developing treatment plans.
Comply with applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
Perform other duties as assigned.