Direct Support Professional- Day Services (Amherst)

Amherst•Amherst, NY

10d

About The Position

Direct Support Professionals support the character, choices, strengths, interests, and needs of people served while helping maintain a safe, healthy, and clean environment. They plan, coordinate, and implement meaningful daily activities that promote independence, inclusion, and productivity, including activities related to daily living and personal care as well as games, music, and art. The role may involve transporting people, supporting community activities, completing documentation, maintaining the site, and administering medications according to work location and required procedures. Work functions and hours may vary by department and location, and Day Services staff may be assigned to a residential or alternate day program site, partially or for a full shift, depending on service delivery needs. The position requires a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license meeting agency policy, basic computer skills, and the ability to perform the listed physical tasks and support people with repositioning, lifting, and transferring as required by their person-centered plans. CPR and SCIP-R certification are required; medication administration certification depends on work location. The posting states a pay rate of $19 per hour, increasing to $20 per hour after successful completion of a six-month probationary period.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years of age.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Have a valid driver’s license that meets agency policy.
Be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Be able to read, write, and comprehend plans and documentation.
Have basic computer skills for communication and documentation.
Be able to meet physical requirements that include standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, and climbing.
Be able to lift 35 pounds.
Be able to support people with repositioning, lifting, and transferring as required by their person-centered plans.
Have the physical agility and ability to react to emergency situations.
Have CPR certification.
Have Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP-R) certification as required by regulatory guidelines.
Work at least 15 hours per week and no more than 29 hours per week if hired as a part-time Direct Support Professional, unless otherwise specified by the program.

Responsibilities

Respect and maintain the confidentiality of the people served.
Demonstrate a positive and caring attitude toward people served, families, and staff.
Plan, coordinate, and implement meaningful daily activities related to daily living, personal care, and person-centered goals that promote independence, inclusion, and productivity.
Complete tasks necessary to ensure the health and safety of each person receiving services.
Safely transport people according to proper procedures when approved to drive.
Determine with the group which community locations they would like to visit, and schedule and document those activities.
Perform daily site cleaning, food preparation, and laundry as needed.
Complete daily documentation and other paperwork promptly and accurately according to OPWDD and agency standards, as applicable.
Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-service training, and other relevant agency meetings and trainings.
Maintain compliance with agency-mandated in-service and online training.
Work assignments at other agency locations as needed within the shift or other availability, including residential or alternate day program assignments for Day Services.
Perform CPR and Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP-R).
Record time worked at the beginning and end of each shift and work the minimum number of accepted hours hired for.
Administer medications and follow proper procedures depending on work location.
Comply with agency policies and procedures and perform other duties as assigned.