Direct Support Professional - DSP 1

YAI•New York, NY

1d•$18 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional (DSP 1) supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, and personal goals. The role provides person-centered assistance, emotional support, supervision, and care while upholding individuals’ rights and promoting social participation, community connections, and quality of life. DSPs follow individualized service, behavior support, and safety plans; support health and wellness; respond to crises; and maintain a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment. The position includes assistance with personal care and activities of daily living, medication administration, teaching and skill development, meal preparation, transportation, community activities, and safeguarding individuals’ funds. The DSP implements behavior support strategies, observes and documents behavior and services, communicates changes or concerns to clinical and program leadership, and works collaboratively with individuals, their circles of support, and colleagues. The role also requires completing required training and certifications, maintaining accurate records and electronic health documentation, and complying with YAI policies and applicable regulations, including HIPAA. This is a full-time evening position at the Rego Park - 97-30 57th Ave location, scheduled Sunday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The position may require working beyond scheduled hours, holiday or emergency coverage, and, for certain assignments, driving individuals in a YAI vehicle. Compensation is $18.00–$18.79 per hour.

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 or feeling objects, tools, or controls.
Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment, push individuals in wheelchairs, and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds; physical capacity to implement emergency interventions as required by an individual’s Behavior Support Plan.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document services for billing and tracking.
Enthusiasm for working with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities; willingness to take initiative; and positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion in interactions.
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 program assignment and the people supported, such as Choking – Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel, 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 program coverage, unless otherwise authorized.
For assignments involving transportation, 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 its educational equivalent.
Work or life experience supporting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

Support individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, abilities, and personal goals while upholding their rights and building positive relationships.
Promote respectful, person-first communication, socialization, community participation, and connections.
Provide 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 accordance with individualized service and behavior support plans and the OPWDD Core Competencies.
Implement person-centered individualized plans, including protective oversight, 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.
Assist with personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping.
Administer medication as prescribed and in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Teach and develop skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, dispute resolution, and ethical decision making.
Supervise or plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individuals’ dietary restrictions and guidelines, including modified diets and 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 specialized clinical knowledge for person-specific needs, including challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
Implement Behavior Support Plans as written by the Behavior Intervention Specialist; collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; and report changes or symptoms to clinical or leadership teams.
Work collaboratively with the circle of support and program team, communicate program needs, provide feedback, and participate in team meetings.
Complete and maintain required training and certifications and apply the skills in accordance with YAI policies and applicable regulations.
Review communication logs and enter events, progress notes, services, and other information into required systems, including electronic health records and medication administration records.
Complete required paperwork and documentation accurately and on time, including notifications, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, and tracking records.
Use foundational and progressive teaching methods, including Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate, task analysis, essential skills, supports, and modifications.
Use person-centered approaches to understand behavior as communication and promote positive interactions and prevent escalation.
Comply with Federal, State, Local, and other relevant regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or designee.
Consult with program leadership, clinical staff, and direct support staff to coordinate quality care.
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, potentially at another YAI or off-site location, 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 required and appropriately credentialed.
Perform other duties as assigned.