Description
Location: Hudson, NY
Pay Rate: $17.50/hr.
Hours: Full time, 40 hours. Shifts will vary based on the need of each site.
Benefits Package.
Job Description:
Direct Support Professionals work as part of an interdisciplinary team (Medicaid Service Coordinator, Clinical, staff, families, advocates, etc.) providing services to adults with developmental disabilities. Our mission is to help our individuals live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Depending on the needs of the individuals, Direct Support Professionals provide assistance with living skills development, health maintenance and medication administration, personal care, and behavioral development.
Direct Support Professionals work in a number of settings in a variety of homes and sites including Group Homes (small residential homes or apartments that serve 2-8 people), Day Programs (living skills & pre-employment training),Home & Community Based Services Habilitation Planning(in-home care and supports), and Vocational Rehabilitation (job skill training and job placement).
Working under the direction of a Supervisor, Direct Support Professionals work to provide services that enrich the lives of our individuals. An emphasis is placed on creating a family- environment that encourages the individuals to self-direct and experience their life to the fullest. Direct Support Professionals assist the individuals in participating in daily and weekly activities of their choice such as shopping, going to movies, enjoying hobbies, etc. Direct Support Professionals also assist advocate and support individuals to be fully integrated into communities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Providing our individuals with the highest quality of care and supports is our mission. The Agency has an unwavering commitment to quality, ethics, and helping people fulfill their dreams and goals. Employees are expected to perform their duties and responsibilities aligned with our Vision and Values.
Some of the duties and responsibilities frequently vary in intensity and frequency (from daily total care to frequent or occasional verbal and emotional support depending on the assignment. Schedule variations may include evenings, weekends and overnight shifts.
Advocacy—Assists individuals with achieving self-identified personal outcomes; works on behalf of individuals to overcome barriers; helps individuals participate in activities of their choice; respects individual’s personal beliefs, choices, and interests
Health Maintenance—Provides care and assistance to promote good health; helps individuals receive medical care and communicates with medical professionals; administers medications according to physician instructions; records information regarding health events, conditions, and status; provides First Aid/CPR and seeks emergency medical care when needed
Personal Care—Helps individuals with eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, and toileting; assists individuals with their mobility including lifting them from a seated or lying down position, helping them walk and maintain stability
Living Skills Development—Helps individuals develop living skills such as cooking, money management, household shopping, doing laundry, personal hygiene, etc.; teaches work-related skills and job preparedness; supports individuals in job search process and maintaining job performance; additionally, assist with developing relationships connected to natural supports and records progress on skill development and achievement. Provides a variety of rehabilitation, supported employment, pre vocational service and community habilitation.
Behavior Development—serves as role model and mentor, demonstrating the desired behaviors, and coaches the individuals using approved techniques and strategies; uses approved physical intervention techniques when necessary to protect individuals and others
Operational Support—Maintains cleanliness of program; drives company vehicle to transport individuals to their activities; completes tasks that are beyond the individual’s abilities; follows policies and procedures for handling money
Professional Behavior—Acts in a professional manner and visionary manner and communicates effectively with others; completes training programs; attends required meetings
Qualifications:
In order to perform these functions and meet the requirements put forth by Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, applicants for the Direct Support Professional position must: 1) be able to legally work in the United States; 2) be 18 years of age or 21 for positions that require the employee to be a driver; 3) for assignments that require the employee to drive a vehicle, must meet the qualifications of a driver as established by our insurance carrier and 4) be able to pass a background check and receive a fingerprint clearance; and be able to provide 3 verifiable non-family references including 1 previous employer.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Ability
Because of the essential duties and responsibilities of the DSP position, applicants for the position must: be able to lift up to 50 lbs., be able to walk, bend, squat, turn in the knees, back, wrists and shoulders, and grasp with both hands (in order to properly perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, Client Intervention Techniques (SCIP), and safe Lifting and Carrying Techniques); be able to communicate and produce service documentation effectively and be able to complete the Agency training programs and successfully pass associated tests to meet competency requirements; employees must be able to pass a TB test.
Working Conditions
While working as a DSP, employees must be prepared for the follow:
1) a typical work schedules— (The Agency operates services 24/7, 365 days a year); 2) possible exposure to blood borne pathogens; 3) possible exposure to profanity, violent, and/or offensive behavior from the individuals.
Qualifications:
Education or Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Preferred six months experience with dual diagnosis (e.g. forensic and/or intensive behavioral health needs, autism or medically involved).
Or
- Bachelor’s Degree in any field with minimum 6 months experience with dual diagnosis (e.g. forensic and/or intensive behavioral health needs, autism or medically involved).
Or
- Associate’s degree with minimum two years’ experience with dual diagnosis (e.g. forensic and/or intensive behavioral health needs, autism or medically involved).
Or
- Minimum four years’ experience with dual diagnosis (e.g. forensic and/or intensive behavioral health needs, autism or medically involved).
Or
- Internal candidate with at least one year experience with dual diagnosis and demonstrated capacity to effectively support people with challenging behaviors (e.g. forensic and/or intensive behavioral health needs, autism or medically involved).
ALL POSITIONS ARE SUBJECT TO A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, FINGERPRINTING AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT CHECK.
Access: Supports For Living is an EEO employer-EEO, AAE, M/F/D/V