DSP SR I (TL)

Access: Supports for Living•Poughkeepsie, NY

About The Position

Direct Support Professional Seniors work as part of an interdisciplinary team—including clinical staff, nurses, families, and advocates—to provide services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Under the direction of a Supervisor, they provide person-centered support intended to help individuals live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Services may include Residential Habilitation and Day Habilitation in individuals’ homes and in the community. The role supports activities of daily living, such as personal care, meal preparation, medication administration, and health maintenance, as well as independent living skills such as money management, community integration, and social skills. DSP Seniors advocate for the people they support and help mentor and train Direct Support Professionals. They follow the NADSP Code of Ethics and use the NYS DSP Core Competencies as the foundation for person-centered support. DSP Seniors are responsible for the health and safety of the people they support and provide continuous coverage to maintain program staffing ratios. Coverage may require flexibility across shifts, programs, and sites. The position is based in the Pleasant Valley/Poughkeepsie area of New York, pays $21.00 per hour, and lists a schedule of Sunday 8pm–4pm and Monday–Thursday 2pm–10pm (40 hours).

Requirements

Demonstrate the skills and attributes outlined in the NYS DSP Core Competencies.
Ability to work in a diverse and inclusive environment with individuals of varying abilities.
Complete mandatory trainings within the first 90 days and maintain ongoing recertifications.
Communicate professionally and effectively in verbal and written forms.
Understand regulations and document services in real time using electronic technology.
Ability to multitask and prioritize responsibilities.
Respond promptly and effectively to emergency and crisis situations.
Proactively identify, report, and resolve safety or medical concerns.
Accurately count money and complete basic math and banking transactions.
Complete training to become an approved medication administration professional (AMAP) and administer medications accurately while keeping certification current.
Provide person-centered, culturally competent services, which may include celebrating holidays and attending religious services.
Provide continuous care and maintain approved staffing ratios, including when weekend or holiday coverage is required.
Ability to access reliable transportation.
Maintain a valid, unrestricted, insurable driver’s license.
One of the following education and experience combinations: a bachelor’s degree in a related field; an associate degree in any field plus 2 years of experience; 4 years of experience; or, for an internal candidate, at least 2 years of experience and demonstrated capacity for increased responsibility.
Internal candidates may also be considered based on demonstrated performance and mastery of core competencies.
Be capable of performing all SCIP interventions.
Able to provide hands-on care to individuals with various physical disabilities, including showering, feeding, and physical assistance.
Ability to perform household cleaning tasks using cleaning supplies.
Ability to occasionally lift 25+ pounds, push or pull 25+ pounds, and reach and bend to perform duties.
Ability to ascend and descend stairs and participate in light to moderate physical activities.
Ability to use various electronic devices.
Ability to provide transportation using vehicles ranging in size from sedans to large passenger vans.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English and Spanish speaking is a plus.
Fluency in American Sign Language is a plus.

Responsibilities

Advocate for individuals and assist them in achieving desired personal outcomes.
Support individuals’ health maintenance, including medical appointments, medication administration, and healthy meal planning and preparation.
Provide continuous care to support the safety of individuals, colleagues, and self, and maintain required staffing ratios.
Complete household tasks such as meal preparation, cleaning, and laundry.
Support individuals with personal care needs, including hands-on assistance when needed.
Help individuals develop independent living skills.
Serve as a role model, demonstrate appropriate social interactions, and use approved crisis intervention techniques and strategies as needed.
Complete documentation and safety checks in accordance with regulations and policies using computer applications and paper documentation.
Assist with scheduling direct care staff.
Transport individuals to community sites using an agency vehicle.
Mentor, train, oversee, and provide feedback to Direct Support Professionals.
Perform other duties as needed or assigned.
Work flexibly across shifts, programs, and sites to provide staffing coverage.
Participate in team and service plan meetings as necessary and ensure service plans are completed accurately and promptly after life plan meetings.
Provide on-call coverage for the primary site and an assigned cluster of sites.
Provide leadership and mentorship to a team of DSPs in a residential setting.