Direct Support Professional- Westwood, NJ

YAI • Westwood, NJ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities while protecting their rights and providing emotional support. The role promotes quality of life through person-centered communication, social connection, community participation, advocacy, and individualized support in accordance with service and behavior support plans.

The position is responsible for individuals’ supervision, protection, health, wellness, and safety. Duties include supporting activities of daily living and personal care; teaching habilitative and rehabilitative skills; preparing meals in line with dietary needs; administering and tracking medications; scheduling and attending medical appointments; assisting with finances and purchases; and transporting individuals. The role also implements behavior support plans, responds to crises using approved techniques, observes and documents behavior and other relevant information, and communicates with families, providers, clinical staff, and program leadership.

The Direct Support Professional maintains a safe, clean therapeutic environment, completes required documentation and training, participates in team meetings, and reports maintenance or safety concerns. The position may provide coverage across programs and settings, including off-site locations, and may participate in developing treatment plans. Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Compensation: $19.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• 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 physical demands of the position, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, and reaching; handling, fingering, or feeling objects, tools, or controls; lifting or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; assisting with moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or other staff; pushing individuals in wheelchairs; and implementing emergency interventions when needed.
• 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, initiative, and positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
• Willingness and ability to assist with 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 certifications and trainings required for the assignment, including Non-Crisis Invention training, American Heart Association CPR/First Aid certification, New Jersey 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 and report as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies when needed 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 intellectual or developmental disabilities with co-occurring behavioral or mental health needs.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in developing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal goals, relationships, and community connections while upholding their rights.
• Provide supervision, protection, emotional support, and care, and promote individuals’ health, wellness, and safety, including managing crisis situations and escalating concerns about potential harm.
• Implement individualized service plans, behavior support plans, safeguards, and program guidelines; use person-centered approaches and approved teaching and behavior-support techniques.
• Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping.
• Teach and develop habilitative and rehabilitative skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, ethical decision-making, and dispute resolution.
• Plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individuals’ dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets or liquid consistencies.
• Transport and escort individuals to recreational activities, appointments, home visits, volunteer opportunities, employment sites, and other locations; help establish schedules and activities.
• Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance funds and other funds provided.
• Administer medication as prescribed and assist with medication inventories, cabinet checks, over-the-counter inventory, and reordering supplies.
• Schedule medical appointments and ensure timely attendance at follow-up appointments.
• Use petty cash, house funds, and store cards appropriately and maintain purchase documentation and receipts.
• Operate agency vehicles regularly to transport individuals and update related logs and maintenance sheets; coordinate appointments with a supervisor.
• Develop understanding of person-specific clinical needs, including challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
• Collect, record, and summarize data on observable behavior; report changes in behavior and other signs or symptoms to clinical or leadership staff.
• Communicate with families, circles of support, and external providers as directed by clinical or program leadership.
• Collaborate with team members, communicate program needs, participate in team meetings, and help ensure coordinated, high-quality care.
• Complete and maintain required training and certifications and apply the skills learned.
• Review communication logs and document 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 for compliance and billing, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, and tracking.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment; use safe handling procedures and infection-control protocols; report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns.
• Provide coverage across assigned programs and service settings, including off-site locations such as hospitals, and remain on shift or report to another program when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
• Respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior using approved YAI and New Jersey DDD techniques, including verbal, environmental, and physical interventions, as specified by training and applicable plans.
• May participate in developing treatment plans.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, local, regulatory, and HIPAA requirements and perform other assigned duties.
• Be available to work beyond scheduled hours or report as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies when needed to maintain program coverage.

Benefits

• DailyPay available.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and expanded medical plan options; vision insurance 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: High school or GED