Residential Direct Support Professional
About The Position
The Residential Direct Support Professional assists with coordinating the residential program for people supported by The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence. The role promotes independence, integration, individualization, productivity, personal choice, and growth toward greater independence through person-centered support, training, supervision, and documentation. Staff support the agency’s goals, objectives, philosophy, and values. The position supports people with household and personal funds, nutrition and meal preparation, domestic tasks, leisure activities, transportation, daily living and interpersonal skills, behavioral support programs, health monitoring, and safety. The employee documents services and progress, communicates needs and concerns to management and clinical or nursing staff, participates in crisis intervention and staff meetings, and follows agency policies and procedures. Depending on designation, the employee may administer medications or act as the person in charge when the Residence Manager is absent. The work is performed in the home of the people supported and involves travel as needed within Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties for activities, appointments, and training. The role uses standard office and household equipment and requires regular talking or hearing, as well as frequent standing, walking, lifting, handling objects, and reaching. Hours are flexible to program needs. Full-time work is 40 hours; part-time work requires a minimum of 20 hours, and Sub work a minimum of 15 hours. New hires cannot start before the orientation session beginning December 7, 2026.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Experience working with people with developmental disabilities preferred.
- Valid and acceptable New York State driver’s license.
- Authorization to work in the United States.
- Ability to work hours flexible to program needs; full-time is 40 hours, part-time requires at least 20 hours, and Sub work requires at least 15 hours.
- If designated to administer medications, successful completion of the OPWDD-approved medication course and maintenance of the required certification.
- Ability to attend required in-services and achieve 80% competency on written examinations.
- Competencies include ethical conduct, time management, working independently, operating various cleaning machines, and communicating with management.
- Must meet the physical demands of the role, including regular talking or hearing and frequent standing, walking, lifting, handling objects, and reaching.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with people with developmental disabilities.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
Responsibilities
- Assist people supported with purchasing necessary household equipment, managing personal funds, making purchases and disbursements, and acclimating to the residence.
- Support proper nutrition through meal planning, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and training specified in service plans.
- Guide and instruct people supported in cleaning, domestic tasks, and upkeep of their rooms and property; help maintain the residence in a safe and sanitary condition.
- Provide guidance about leisure activities and arrange or provide transportation as needed.
- Obtain transportation department clearance to drive agency vehicles and maintain driving certification when assigned as a driver.
- Conduct and document fire drills according to regulations and policy.
- Communicate household and personal support needs to the Residence Manager and participate in staff meetings and discussions about support needs and the CR/IRA program.
- Participate actively in crisis intervention when required.
- Implement and follow through on ADL, interpersonal skills, and behavioral support programs as directed and specified in support plans.
- Complete accurate, timely service documentation on the same day programs are implemented, and assist the Residence Manager/QIDP with documentation.
- Administer medications when designated, following physician orders and agency policy, after completing the OPWDD-approved medication course and maintaining certification.
- Attend required in-services and demonstrate proficiency by achieving at least 80% on written examinations.
- Report illness, accidents, changes, or problems in a person’s medical status to the on-call nurse or administrator; follow instructions and complete daily nursing notes and other required documentation.
- Write incident reports (GERs) in accordance with Incident Review Procedures.
- Ensure people’s needs are met while promoting choice, integration, individualization, independence, productivity, safety, and welfare.
- Communicate matters concerning support programs and the physical plant to the Residence Manager or Assistant Residence Manager through the daily log or direct contact as necessary.
- Accept temporary or permanent transfers within the department when needed to meet service needs.
- Follow policies and procedures in the Functional Plan for the assigned work site.
- Document programming, nursing services, clinical services, and self-care in accordance with regulations and training.
- Monitor people supported during sleeping hours as required, attend to their needs, and document observations using bed check logs and team recommendations.
- Perform daily cleaning duties according to schedule and complete cleaning logs and physical plant checklists.
- Act as designated in charge in the Residence Manager’s absence when assigned.
- Follow procedures for use of personal funds and ensure purchases and documentation are handled properly.
- Perform other duties as assigned; responsibilities and activities may change.
- Travel as needed to locations in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties for community activities, outings, appointments, and training.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
