Direct Support Professional - DSP 1

YAI•New York City, NY

18d•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional (DSP 1) supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal goals, rights, and quality of life. The role provides emotional support, encourages social connection and community participation, and delivers individualized assistance in line with each person’s service plans, behavior support plans, supervision levels, and safeguards. The position is based at the Little Neck Parkway program in Flushing, New York, and is scheduled full time overnight, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The DSP provides supervision, protection, personal care, and assistance with activities of daily living; supports health, wellness, medication administration, meals, skill development, communication, advocacy, and decision-making; and responds to crises using approved YAI and OPWDD techniques. The role may involve supporting people with challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, or complex medical needs. It also includes documenting services and observations in electronic systems, completing required records and trainings, communicating with the individual’s support team, maintaining a safe and organized environment, and reporting safety or maintenance concerns. Depending on assignment, the DSP may transport individuals and may provide coverage at other YAI or off-site locations.

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, 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; ability to implement emergency interventions as specified in a person’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 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 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 assignment and supported individuals, 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 consistent 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, during inclement weather, or during emergencies to maintain program minimum coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
For assignments requiring 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 its 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 quality of life; build positive relationships and provide emotional support.
Encourage socializing, respectful person-first communication, community connections, and progress toward personal goals.
Provide supervision, protection, and care, maintain program safety guidelines, teach fire safety, and escalate signs of potential harm to self or others.
Support health, wellness, and safety, including managing crisis situations in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
Provide individualized support according to service and behavior support plans, supervision levels, safeguards, and OPWDD Core Competencies.
Implement person-centered plans, including IPOP, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans.
Maintain a clean, safe, organized therapeutic environment; follow safe handling procedures and infection control protocols.
Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping.
Ensure medication is administered as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Teach and develop skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, ethical decision-making, and resolution of disputes.
Supervise or 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, appointments, home visits, volunteer sites, and employment sites, as applicable.
Assist with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds.
Develop specialized knowledge of individual needs, including support for adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
Implement Behavior Support Plans as written by the Behavior Intervention Specialist; collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; report changes in behavior or symptoms to clinical or leadership teams.
Work collaboratively with the circle of support, communicate program needs, provide feedback, and maintain a solution-oriented approach to conflict.
Complete and maintain required trainings and certifications and apply the skills learned.
Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, services, and other information into electronic 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, essential skills, supports, and modifications.
Understand behavior as communication and use person-centered approaches to promote positive interactions and prevent escalation.
Comply with applicable Federal, State, and Local requirements, including HIPAA.
Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
Consult with program leadership, clinical staff, and other direct support staff; attend and actively participate in team meetings.
Use approved YAI and OPWDD verbal, environmental, and physical intervention techniques, including takedowns, when responding 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 beyond the scheduled shift when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
May participate in developing treatment plans.
For certain assignments, operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals, when appropriately credentialed.
Perform other duties as assigned.