Direct Support Professional - Bay Ridge & Cobble Hill

YAI•New York, NY

4d•$19 - $20

About The Position

YAI is hiring Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in Bay Ridge and Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. DSPs work with people of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Depending on individual support needs, work may take place in a person’s home, a family home, a YAI residence, a day habilitation center, or the community. The role supports YAI’s mission to create opportunities for people with I/DD to live, love, work, and learn in their communities. DSPs help people pursue personal goals, exercise their rights, develop skills, build relationships, and participate in their communities. They provide person-centered support and supervision, promote health and safety, implement individualized service and behavior support plans, and assist with daily living, personal care, medication, meals, activities, transportation, and money management as authorized. The role also involves responding to crises, documenting services and events, communicating with teams, maintaining a safe environment, completing required training, and complying with applicable policies and regulations. Full-time and part-time positions are available, with weekday and/or weekend schedules, including morning, evening, and overnight shifts. Some assignments may require transporting people supported in a YAI vehicle and maintaining appropriate driving credentials. Compensation is $18.50 to $19.50 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, fingering, or feeling objects, tools, or controls.
Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or to push individuals in wheelchairs; ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds occasionally; and physical capacity to implement emergency interventions as required by a person’s Behavior Support Plan, with or without equipment or staff assistance.
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 assist with 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) certification within one year of appointment.
Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications required by program assignment and the people 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 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.
For assignments requiring transportation of people supported, 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 rights; provide emotional support; and build positive relationships.
Help people pursue personal quality-of-life goals, communicate respectfully using person-first language, socialize, and connect with their communities.
Provide supervision, protection, and care; maintain program safeguards; facilitate fire-safety learning; and identify and escalate signs of 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, using appropriate support skills for differing levels of need.
Implement person-centered plans, including protective oversight, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans, and understand their goals and safeguards.
Maintain a clean, safe, organized therapeutic environment and follow safe handling and infection-control procedures.
Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including hygiene, bathing, dressing, toileting, laundry, and housekeeping, as appropriate and authorized.
Ensure prescribed medication is administered according to applicable guidelines.
Teach and develop skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, dispute resolution, and ethical decision-making.
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, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer or employment sites, and other destinations.
Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds.
Develop knowledge of specialized clinical 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 and collect, record, and summarize data on observable behavior.
Observe and report changes in behavior or other signs and symptoms to clinical and leadership teams.
Work collaboratively with the circle of support, communicate program needs, provide feedback, and use a solution-oriented approach to conflicts.
Complete and maintain required training and certifications, including specialized training, and apply the skills learned.
Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, services, and other information in records and electronic health systems, including 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, and appropriate 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 relevant 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 techniques, including verbal, environmental, and physical interventions, to respond appropriately to challenging or self-injurious behavior and protect the health and safety of individuals, staff, and others.
Provide coverage for other direct support staff as requested, potentially at another YAI or off-site location, and remain on shift when needed to maintain minimum program coverage.
May participate in developing treatment plans.
For certain assignments, operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals to and from programs, residences, community locations, or other destinations, with appropriate credentials.
Perform other duties as assigned.