Direct Support Professional

YAI • New York, NY

8d • $19 - $20

About The Position

YAI is hiring Direct Support Professionals in Ozone Park, Queens, for its Residential Services program. DSPs work closely with people of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), providing support in settings that may include a person’s home, a family home, a YAI residence, a day habilitation center, or the community. The role supports individuals in pursuing personal goals, exercising their rights, building relationships, and living, learning, working, and participating in their communities. Full-time and part-time positions are available, with weekday and/or weekend schedules that may include mornings, evenings, and overnights.

DSPs provide individualized, person-centered support in accordance with service and behavior support plans. Duties may include personal care and activities of daily living, medication assistance, meal preparation, teaching and skill development, community participation and transportation, behavior support, safety supervision, recordkeeping, and collaboration with the individual’s support team. Some assignments may require operating a YAI vehicle and maintaining a valid driver’s license and Van certification.

The role requires physical activity and the ability to assist with moving or lifting individuals, including during emergency interventions. Employees must complete and maintain required training and certifications, follow applicable YAI and OPWDD procedures and regulations, and be able to work beyond scheduled hours or report during holidays, inclement weather, or emergencies when needed to maintain program coverage.

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 on occasion.
• Physical capacity to implement emergency interventions in accordance with an individual’s Behavior Support Plan, including moving or lifting 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.
• Enthusiasm for working with people with I/DD, willingness to take initiative, and positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion in interactions.
• Ability and willingness 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 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 needs of supported individuals, 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 in stressful situations and work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work beyond scheduled hours 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 supported individuals, 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 for DSP 1 positions but is not mandatory.
• 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 personal rights; and provide emotional support while building positive relationships.
• Help individuals pursue personal quality-of-life goals through respectful, person-first communication, social engagement, and community activities.
• Supervise and protect individuals, maintain program safety guidelines, facilitate fire-safety learning, and identify and escalate signs of potential harm to self or others.
• Promote health, wellness, and safety through appropriate supervision and crisis response in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Provide support in different settings according to individualized service and behavior support plans and applicable OPWDD Core Competencies.
• Implement person-centered plans, levels of supervision and safeguards, IPOP requirements, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment and follow safe handling and infection-control procedures.
• Provide personal care and assistance with activities of daily living, including hygiene, bathing, dressing, toileting, laundry, and housekeeping.
• Administer medication as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines when authorized.
• Teach and develop skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, dispute resolution, and ethical decision-making.
• Plan or provide supervision for balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets or liquid consistencies.
• Transport or escort individuals to activities, appointments, home visits, volunteer sites, employment sites, and other destinations.
• Assist with purchases and safeguard individuals’ personal allowance and other funds.
• Develop understanding 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 observable behavior data.
• Observe and report behavioral changes and other signs or symptoms to clinical or leadership staff.
• Collaborate with the individual’s support team, communicate program needs, provide feedback, and participate constructively in resolving conflicts.
• Complete required training and certifications and apply the skills in compliance with YAI policies and applicable regulations.
• Review communication logs and record events, progress notes, services, and other information using electronic records such as Digital Agency and eMAR.
• Complete required documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, and tracking records.
• Use foundational and progressive teaching strategies, including explain, model, observe, and evaluate; task analysis; and appropriate supports and modifications.
• Use person-centered approaches that recognize behavior as communication and help prevent escalation.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory 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, and attend and participate in team meetings.
• Use approved YAI and OPWDD verbal, environmental, and physical intervention techniques, including take-downs, when appropriate to address challenging or self-injurious behavior and protect individuals and others.
• Provide coverage for other direct support staff as requested, including at another YAI or off-site location, and remain on shift when needed to maintain minimum coverage.
• May participate in developing treatment plans.
• For certain assignments, operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals when appropriately credentialed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• DailyPay available.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and more extensive medical plan options, and 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
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed