DSP I - Track I

United Cerebral Palsy Associations•Stockton, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of program management, the DSP I provides functional skills instruction and personal care to adults with developmental and physical disabilities. This entry-level role is part of the UCPSJ DSP career ladder and includes an introductory period during which the employee learns program routines, completes orientation and required training, and begins delivering Individual Service Plan (ISP)-based instruction under direction. The position applies to both Instructional Assistant work based at the Ben Holt or Manteca day programs and Community Integration Assistant work through Program Without Walls; the instructional setting differs, but the level criteria are identical. The employee provides group and individual instruction, personal care, daily progress documentation, and support for clients’ health, safety, rights, and participation. Work takes place in adult day-program settings, classrooms, multipurpose areas, community settings, vehicles, and outdoor spaces. Employees may be assigned to other UCPSJ program sites and travel between sites during the workday in their own vehicle. Lifting, transferring, and repositioning clients and providing hands-on personal care are essential functions. UCPSJ Safe Client Transfer Protocol certification is a condition of employment and must be passed by the end of the introductory period and kept current. Until certified, the employee must not perform client lifts or transfers and is assigned other duties while training is completed. Full client lifts and transfers are performed by two staff using approved techniques and equipment. The introductory period is governed by the UCPSJ Employee Handbook. To complete it, the employee must pass and maintain lift and safe-transfer certification and complete assigned Relias coursework, as confirmed by the Program Manager. Completion does not change the employee’s level or rate. Advancement is competency-based, requires documented, sustained demonstration of the next level’s criteria, and is subject to an open, funded position. Employment is at will. Employment is conditional on satisfactory completion of the required background and health screening processes described in the posting.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to read, write, and understand English, with strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions from a supervisor.
Knowledge of and ability to work with basic mathematical concepts.
Working knowledge of personal computers.
Valid California Class C driver’s license, clean driving record, and proof of current personal automobile insurance before the first day of employment; these must be maintained throughout employment.
Must pass UCPSJ Safe Client Transfer Protocol certification before the end of the introductory period and keep it current; failure to pass within the introductory period means the employee does not meet the position requirements, subject to the stated extension provision if certification was not made available.
Must complete assigned Relias coursework and the orientation baseline, including client rights, dignity, choice, privacy, and person-centered support.
Must maintain First Aid/CPR certification and meet California Community Care Licensing personnel standards (Title 17 and Title 22).
Must meet employment screening conditions: criminal background check and DOJ/FBI fingerprint clearance, abuse registry check, pre-employment physical examination and drug screen, tuberculosis clearance, and any additional health screening required by California Community Care Licensing.
Must complete mandated reporter training and keep required First Aid/CPR certification current throughout employment.
Must be punctual and dependable, provide excellent internal and external customer service, act ethically and professionally, maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, respond well to supervision, collaborate and work independently, and demonstrate respect and sensitivity to diversity.
Must possess general knowledge of developmental and physical disabilities; individual and group instruction techniques; behavioral and medical knowledge associated with disabilities, including seizure activity; correct lifting, positioning, and transferring techniques; behavior modification techniques; and documentation procedures.
Must be able to remain calm in high-stress situations and meet the universal conduct standards, including respectful communication, support for client choice, person-centered conduct, calmness under escalation, advocacy for clients, accurate and timely documentation, quality daily care, being present and engaged on shift, and professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Must reliably attend work, be ready to support clients during assigned work hours, accept supervision and feedback, and escalate concerns to the Program Manager or designee rather than make decisions outside the role.
Must meet the stated physical demands, with reasonable accommodations potentially available.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in day or residential programs serving persons with disabilities.
Working knowledge of personal computers is described as highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Provides group and individual instruction daily, following clients’ Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and program procedures.
Provides direct personal care, including toileting, as needed and as trained and assigned.
Reads and uses each client’s ISP to understand objectives and the clients served.
Records daily data on each client’s progress toward ISP objectives and completes required documentation accurately and promptly.
Follows floor routines, classroom and vehicle safety procedures, facility emergency procedures, and UCPSJ safety protocols.
Supports clients’ health and safety in the facility and community.
Rides with and supervises clients during transport to and from the program and on community outings, including safe boarding and exiting.
Maintains classroom and program equipment and provides general facility clean-up.
Develops and maintains good rapport with clients, staff, families, stakeholders, care providers, and outside partners.
Assists with and meets California Community Care Licensing regulations (Title 17 and Title 22).
Works at other UCPSJ program sites as assigned, within training and consistent with the position.
After the introductory period, reliably delivers ISP-based group and individual instruction under direction, in the day program or community; provides competent personal care with minimal prompting; and records accurate daily ISP progress data without reminders.
Attends required agency meetings and training as requested by the Program Manager or designee.
Immediately reports suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation, serious injury, medication concerns, seizure activity, medical distress, elopement or elopement risk, unsafe conditions, or violations of client rights through required channels as a mandated reporter, and completes incident documentation.
Uses factual, objective, professional language in records and promptly corrects inaccuracies in records, data entry, or communications, notifying the Program Manager.
Performs other duties as assigned.
When assigned and trained for client-specific clinical supports such as ostomy care, catheter care, or G-tube feeding, hydration, and medication, completes the training and provides the support as directed.