Direct Support Professional - DSP 1

YAI•New York, NY

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional (DSP 1) supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, and quality of life. The role provides person-centered assistance, emotional support, respectful communication, social engagement, supervision, and care in accordance with individualized service and behavior support plans. It includes maintaining health, wellness, safety, and a clean therapeutic environment; responding to crisis situations; and supporting individuals with varying needs, including challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs. The position may involve personal care and activities of daily living, medication administration, skill development, advocacy, meal preparation, transportation, support with purchases and personal funds, and implementation of Behavior Support Plans. DSPs observe and document behavior and services, communicate changes and concerns to clinical and leadership teams, complete required records and trainings, and collaborate with colleagues. The position is per diem and located at Dawson Manor 1 in Ozone Park, New York.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Ability to meet the position's physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling 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 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 Behavior Support Plan.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document services for billing and tracking purposes.
Enthusiasm for working with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, initiative, 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 Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R) within one year of appointment.
Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications required by the program assignment and 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 regularly scheduled hours and/or report as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies to maintain minimum coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
For assignments involving transportation, must hold or obtain and maintain a valid driver's license and Van certification, as required by the position, location, or program.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent.
Work or life experience supporting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

Support individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, and personal quality-of-life goals while respecting their rights and using person-first communication.
Provide supervision, protection, emotional support, and care, maintain program safety guidelines, teach fire safety, and identify and escalate potential risks of harm.
Promote health, wellness, and safety, supervise individuals appropriately, and manage crisis situations in accordance with policies and regulations.
Implement individualized service plans, Behavior Support Plans, Staff Action Plans, Life Plans, supervision levels, safeguards, and protective oversight requirements.
Maintain a clean, safe, organized therapeutic environment and follow safe handling and infection-control procedures.
Provide personal care and assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, personal hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping, as authorized and appropriate.
Administer medication as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Teach and develop skills, support advocacy and communication, assist with self-expression and dispute resolution, and facilitate ethical decision-making.
Plan or supervise the preparation of 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 as needed.
Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds.
Develop knowledge of person-specific clinical needs, including support for adults with 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 and leadership teams.
Collaborate with the circle of support and direct-support, clinical, and program leadership teams; communicate program needs, contribute feedback, participate in team meetings, and take a solution-oriented approach to conflicts.
Complete and maintain required trainings and certifications and apply the skills in accordance with YAI policies and applicable rules and regulations.
Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, services, and other information in electronic health record systems, including Digital Agency and eMAR.
Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, 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 applicable federal, state, local, and other regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
Use approved YAI and OPWDD verbal, environmental, and physical intervention techniques, including take-downs, as trained and required to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior.
Provide coverage for other direct-support staff as requested, including at other YAI or off-site locations, and remain beyond the scheduled 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 when appropriately credentialed.
Perform other duties as assigned.