Direct Support Professional (Citizens) - Complex Support Program

About the role

Practices and promotes the agency’s mission statement in every interaction. Provides ongoing support to people during overnight and morning hours, including self-care routines (toileting, feeding, showering, dressing, diapering), health, safety, alternate positioning, and overall well-being to ensure a high quality of life is maintained.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing support during overnight and morning hours (e.g., self-care routines such as toileting, feeding, showering, dressing, and diapering), health, safety, alternate positioning, and overall well-being.
• Ensure a safe and clean home by assisting with household chores (e.g., laundry) and participating as needed.
• Follow all treatment plans and utilize adaptive and safety equipment to promote independence and ensure health, safety, and well-being.
• Report and document any events or activities that may hinder a person’s health, safety, or well-being (e.g., allegations of abuse, injuries, broken equipment, falls).
• Report to the Justice Center as a mandated reporter if there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect; follow all agency incident policies and procedures.
• Adhere to Federal and New York State regulations, agency policies, the employee handbook, and training requirements.
• Complete and maintain AMAP certification; assist people supported with medication administration according to AMAP policy and procedures.
• Arrive to work by the start of the scheduled shift; adhere to agency policies regarding call-offs and overtime to ensure quality support.
• Support people in preparing meals by teaching concepts such as diet adherence, portion control, and cooking skills.
• Assist people with starting the day positively by waking and greeting them with a soft and kind tone of voice and supporting their preferred morning routine.
• Assist with medication administration according to AMAP policy and procedures.
• Accompany or transport people supported using safe driving practices to day programs or job locations.
• Implement and document all treatment plans and agency-related materials (e.g., overnight checklists, goals, valued outcomes, medical case notes, communication logs, BM and menses charts, sleep charts, seizure logs, behavioral data) via Medisked or paper documentation to assist people in achieving independence in their selected goals.
• Serve as a member of the inter-disciplinary team by attending and participating in meetings to discuss progress, goal achievements, and share information.
• Mentor and act as a role model for new Direct Support Staff by demonstrating supportive routines and reviewing training manuals to ensure new employees are sufficiently prepared.
• Perform other duties as requested by a supervisor.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Qualified New York State Driver’s license that meets agency insurance standards.
• Successful completion and maintenance of AMAP status.
• Ability to communicate and understand written and oral directives/information.
• Excellent team player with a positive attitude.
• Qualified driver status required for overnight Direct Support Professionals working 11 pm–9 am due to morning transportation responsibilities.