Direct Support Professional - Western Suffolk County

YAI • Middletown Township, NJ

5d • $19 - $20

About The Position

YAI is hiring Direct Support Professionals for its Bay Shore, Huntington, Northport, Deer Park, Central Islip, and Dix Hills locations in Western Suffolk County. The role supports people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in settings that may include a person’s home, a family home, a YAI residence, a day habilitation center, or the community. The program area is Residential. DSPs help people pursue personal goals, exercise their rights, develop skills, build community connections, and live, love, work, and learn in their communities.

The position provides person-centered support in accordance with individualized service, behavior support, and safety plans. Duties may include supervision and protection, personal care and activities of daily living, medication administration, meal preparation, transportation, community participation, behavior support, crisis response, documentation, and coordination with clinical and program teams. DSPs maintain a safe and therapeutic environment, complete required trainings and certifications, and follow YAI policies and applicable regulations.

Full-time and part-time positions are available, with weekday and/or weekend schedules and morning, evening, and overnight options. Employees may need to work beyond scheduled hours or report during holidays, inclement weather, or emergencies to maintain program coverage. Compensation is $18.50–$19.55 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling objects 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 lift or move up to 25 pounds on occasion; must also have the physical capacity to carry out emergency interventions as described in a person’s 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 ability to demonstrate positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
• 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 Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R) within one year of appointment.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications required by the program and individuals supported, such as Choking – Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel (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 report as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies to maintain minimum program coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
• For assignments involving transportation of individuals, 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 educational equivalent.
• Work or life experience in the I/DD field is a plus but is not mandatory for DSP 1 positions.
• For elevated DSP positions, at least three years of direct support professional experience with the I/DD population and required YAI certifications for the setting, obtained and maintained within six months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities; uphold their personal rights; provide emotional support; and build positive relationships.
• Help individuals work toward personal quality-of-life goals, communicate respectfully using person-first language, socialize, and connect with their communities.
• Provide supervision, protection, and care, including maintaining program safeguards, teaching fire safety, and escalating concerns about potential harm to self or others.
• Promote health, wellness, and safety; supervise individuals appropriately; 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 OPWDD Core Competencies.
• Implement person-centered plans, including protective oversight, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans, and understand their goals.
• 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 bathing, dressing, toileting, personal hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping.
• Administer medication as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines.
• Teach and develop skills, support advocacy, assist with communication and self-expression, help resolve disputes, and facilitate ethical decision-making.
• Supervise or plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks according to individuals’ dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets and liquid consistencies.
• Transport or escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer or employment sites, and other destinations.
• Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard their personal allowance and other funds.
• Develop knowledge of specialized needs, including support for 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 behavioral or health changes to clinical or leadership staff.
• Work collaboratively with the circle of support, communicate program needs, provide feedback, address conflicts constructively, and participate actively in team meetings.
• Complete required trainings and certifications and apply the skills in accordance with YAI policies and applicable requirements.
• Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, services, and other information into the electronic health record and related systems.
• 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 techniques, including Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate, task analysis, and supports and modifications.
• Understand behavior as communication and use person-centered approaches to support positive interactions and prevent escalation.
• Comply with Federal, State, Local, and other applicable 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, to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior while protecting the safety of individuals and others.
• Provide coverage for other direct support staff when requested, potentially at another YAI or off-site location, and remain on shift when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
• Participate in treatment-plan development when applicable.
• Operate a YAI motor vehicle for regular transportation duties when required by the assignment and when appropriately credentialed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• DailyPay available.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and more extensive medical plan options, and vision coverage for full-time positions.
• Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time, depending on time type.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Life insurance and long-term disability.
• 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