Direct Support Professional- Teaneck, NJ

YAI • Teaneck, NJ

7d

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal goals, and quality of life. The role provides person-centered assistance, respectful communication, emotional support, and opportunities for social connection and community participation, while protecting each person’s rights, health, wellness, and safety.

The position provides supervision and support in accordance with individualized service and behavior plans, including personal care and activities of daily living, skill development, meal preparation, medication administration, transportation, appointment coordination, and assistance with funds. The employee responds to crises and challenging behaviors using approved YAI and NJ DDD techniques, observes and documents behavior and services, communicates with families and providers as directed, and works with clinical and program teams to maintain high-quality care. The role also includes maintaining a safe and organized environment, completing required documentation and training, and providing coverage across assigned programs and settings as needed.

This position is based in Teaneck, New Jersey, and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The position pays $19 per hour. Applicants must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and hold or obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license with no more than five points. The position requires meeting the described physical demands and completing required program trainings and certifications within applicable timeframes.

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 position’s physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and using hands to handle, finger, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight, with mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or other staff, and to push individuals in wheelchairs; ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds on occasion.
• Physical capacity to implement emergency interventions specified in a person’s Behavior Support Plan, including lifting or moving individuals of any weight 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 purposes.
• 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 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 by program assignment and individuals supported, including Non-Crisis Invention training, American Heart Association CPR/First Aid certification, NJ Medication Administration certification, and Positive Behavior Supports training, as scheduled and 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 or shifts and/or report as scheduled on holidays, in 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 maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal rights, and quality-of-life goals through patient, respectful, person-centered care.
• Encourage socializing and facilitate activities that build community connections and social capital.
• Provide ongoing supervision, protection, and care, maintain program safety guidelines, facilitate fire-safety learning, and identify 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 support in a variety of settings according to individualized service and behavior support plans and applicable DDD standards.
• Implement individualized plans and safeguards, including Behavior Support Plans, Individualized Service Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment and use safe handling procedures and infection-control protocols.
• 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 individual dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets and liquid consistencies.
• Transport and escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer opportunities, employment sites, and other locations; help create schedules for community and therapeutic activities.
• Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance funds and other funds provided.
• Administer medication as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines; assist with medication inventories, cabinet checks, OTC inventory, and reordering medication or supplies as needed.
• Assist with scheduling medical appointments and ensure follow-up appointments are scheduled and attended in a timely manner.
• Use petty cash, house funds, and store cards appropriately and maintain receipts and purchase documentation in coordination with a supervisor.
• Operate agency vehicles and maintain related logs and maintenance sheets; coordinate appointments with a supervisor.
• Develop understanding of person-specific clinical needs, including support for adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
• Implement behavior support plans, behavior guidelines, and protocols; collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; and report changes or symptoms to clinical and leadership teams.
• Communicate with families, external providers, and other members of individuals’ circles of support as directed by clinical or program leadership.
• Contribute to an effective team by sharing feedback, communicating program needs, taking a solution-oriented approach to conflict, and participating in team meetings.
• Complete and maintain required training and certifications and apply the skills learned in accordance with YAI policies and applicable regulations.
• Review communication logs daily, enter events, progress notes, services, and other information, and communicate pertinent information across team members and shifts using prescribed systems.
• Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, and billing-related records.
• 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 support positive interactions and prevent escalation.
• Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or appropriate designee.
• Consult with program leadership, clinical staff, and other direct support staff to help ensure coordinated, high-quality care.
• Use approved YAI and NJ DDD verbal, environmental, and physical intervention techniques, including takedowns, when appropriate to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior and maintain safety.
• Provide support or coverage across assigned regional 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.
• May participate in developing treatment plans.
• Comply with federal, state, local, and other applicable regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• DailyPay available, allowing employees to get paid for work the same day.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and more extensive medical plan options; vision coverage 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
• Education Level: High school or GED