Direct Support Professional- Teaneck, NJ

YAI • Teaneck, NJ

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal rights, and quality of life. The role builds positive relationships, uses respectful person-first communication, encourages social connection, and supports individuals in pursuing personal goals and participating in community activities.

The position provides ongoing supervision, protection, and care, including health and safety oversight, crisis response, implementation of individualized service and behavior support plans, and assistance with activities of daily living. Duties may include personal care, habilitative skill development, meal preparation, medication administration, transportation, appointment coordination, safeguarding funds, and supporting recreational, volunteer, employment, and community activities.

The Direct Support Professional documents services and observations, tracks behavior and medication information, communicates with families and providers as directed, participates in team meetings, and completes required training and paperwork. The role also maintains a safe, clean environment, follows applicable policies and regulations, and may provide coverage across programs or off-site settings as needed.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• 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 position’s physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, and reaching; handling, fingering, or feeling objects, tools, or controls; and occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment, push individuals in wheelchairs, and implement emergency interventions as required, 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 I/DD, initiative, positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
• Willingness and ability to provide a variety of supports and ADL assistance, 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 by the program and people supported, including Non-Crisis Intervention, American Heart Association CPR/First Aid, NJ Medication Administration, and Positive Behavior Supports training, as scheduled and within 120 days 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 report as scheduled on holidays, during inclement weather, or during emergencies 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 I/DD with co-occurring behavioral or mental health needs.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in developing strengths and abilities, pursuing personal goals, exercising personal rights, building relationships, and connecting with the community.
• Provide appropriate supervision, protection, and care, and identify and escalate signs of potential harm to an individual or others.
• Promote health, wellness, and safety; manage crisis situations in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Implement individualized service, behavior support, and other person-centered plans, including Behavior Support Plans, Individualized Service Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans.
• Provide personal care and assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping.
• Teach and develop habilitative and rehabilitative skills; support communication, self-expression, advocacy, ethical decision making, and dispute resolution.
• Plan or supervise preparation of balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual dietary restrictions and guidelines.
• Transport and escort individuals to activities, appointments, home visits, volunteer opportunities, employment sites, and other locations; maintain related vehicle logs and coordinate appointments with a supervisor.
• Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance funds and other funds provided.
• Administer medication as prescribed and assist with medication inventory, cabinet checks, OTC inventory, and reordering supplies as needed.
• Assist with scheduling medical appointments and ensure follow-up appointments are arranged and attended in a timely manner.
• Use petty cash, house funds, and store cards appropriately and maintain purchase documentation and receipts.
• Develop knowledge of individual-specific clinical needs and implement behavior support plans, guidelines, and protocols.
• Collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; report behavioral changes and other signs or symptoms to clinical or leadership staff.
• Communicate with families, external providers, and other members of individuals’ circles of support as directed by program or clinical leadership.
• Work collaboratively with the support team, communicate program needs, provide feedback, and use a solution-oriented approach during conflicts.
• Complete and maintain required trainings and certifications and apply the skills learned.
• Review communication logs, enter progress notes and service information, and communicate pertinent information between team members and shifts using prescribed systems.
• Complete required paperwork and electronic records accurately and on time, including incident reports, notifications, maintenance requests, and billing or tracking documentation.
• Use foundational and progressive teaching skills, understand behavior as communication, and support positive interactions while preventing escalation.
• Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or appropriate designee.
• Consult and coordinate with program leadership, clinical staff, and direct support staff, and attend and participate in team meetings.
• Use approved YAI and New Jersey DDD techniques, including verbal, environmental, and physical interventions, to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior.
• Provide coverage in varied settings and programs across the assigned region, including off-site locations such as hospitals, and remain on shift or report to another program when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
• May participate in developing treatment plans.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• DailyPay available.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and more extensive 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