Direct Support Professional - Eastern Suffolk County

YAI•Centereach, NY

5d•$19 - $20

About The Position

YAI is hiring Direct Support Professionals for its residential program in Eastern Suffolk County, including locations in Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, Centereach, Setauket, and Medford. DSPs support people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities in settings that may include a person’s or family’s home, a YAI residence, a day habilitation center, or the community. The role focuses on helping people pursue personal goals, exercise their rights, build relationships, develop skills, and participate in their communities while maintaining their health, safety, and well-being. DSPs provide individualized support in accordance with service and behavior support plans, including supervision, personal care, medication support when authorized, meal preparation, teaching, transportation, and assistance with daily activities. They respond to crises using approved techniques, observe and document behavior and services, communicate with clinical and program teams, and complete required records and training. The role may require coverage at other locations, remaining beyond a scheduled shift to maintain minimum staffing, and operating a YAI vehicle for certain assignments. The position requires meeting physical demands that include frequent movement and, when needed, assisting with the movement of people of any weight using equipment or other staff. Applicants must be at least 18 and able to work calmly in a fast-paced environment. Required certifications, including SCIP-R, must be obtained and maintained within one year of appointment; other certifications may be required according to the assignment. A valid driver’s license and van certification are required for assignments involving transportation.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Ability to meet the role’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, other equipment, and/or assistance from other staff; push individuals in wheelchairs; and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Physical capacity to carry out emergency interventions as specified in an individual’s Behavior Support Plan, including lifting or moving individuals with or without equipment or other staff assistance.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including documenting services for billing and tracking.
Enthusiasm for supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, initiative, and positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
Willingness and ability to provide varied 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 people supported, such as choking return demonstration, 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 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 when needed to maintain minimum program coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
For assignments requiring transportation of people supported, 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 educational equivalent.
Work or life experience in the intellectual and developmental disabilities 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, abilities, personal rights, and quality-of-life goals.
Build positive relationships and encourage social connections, communication, self-expression, advocacy, and community participation.
Provide supervision and protect the health, safety, and well-being of individuals, including maintaining program safeguards and responding to crises.
Implement individualized service, behavior support, supervision, and safeguard plans, including IPOP, BSP, Staff Action, and Life Plans.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment; use safe handling procedures and follow infection-control protocols.
Provide personal care and assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, laundry, and housekeeping, as appropriate and authorized.
Administer medication as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines, when assigned and authorized.
Teach and develop skills using appropriate teaching methods and supports.
Plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks, following individual dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets and liquid consistencies.
Transport or escort individuals to recreational activities, appointments, home visits, volunteer placements, employment sites, and other locations as assigned.
Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard their personal allowance and other funds.
Develop understanding of person-specific clinical needs and implement Behavior Support Plans as written by a Behavior Intervention Specialist.
Collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; report behavioral changes and other signs or symptoms to clinical or leadership staff.
Collaborate with the support team, communicate program needs, participate in team meetings, and contribute feedback using a solution-oriented approach.
Complete required training and certifications and comply with YAI policies, applicable regulations, and HIPAA.
Review communication logs and enter progress notes, service records, 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, and tracking records.
Use approved YAI and OPWDD techniques, including verbal, environmental, and physical interventions, to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior.
Report maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
Provide coverage for other direct support staff or locations as requested, including remaining 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 duties as assigned.