Direct Support Professional - Teaneck, NJ

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Assists individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities, upholding their personal rights, displaying patience and tolerance while providing emotional support and building positive relationships.
• Safeguards the well-being of individuals by providing emotional support, engaging in respectful communications and conversations through person-first language, encouraging socializing, and facilitating activities that provide social capital and connections to the community.
• Oversees the safety and well-being of individuals, supervising and protecting them at all times, adhering to program guidelines, and managing crisis situations.
• Supports individuals in achieving their personal goals, teaching and developing habilitative and rehabilitative skills, and supporting person-centered advocacy.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment, implementing safe and appropriate handling procedures, and administering medications as prescribed.
• Ensures the health and safety of individuals by providing supervision, managing crisis situations, and adhering to policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Facilitates ethical decision-making, assists with meal preparation and transportation, and assists with scheduling medical appointments.
• Develops an understanding of specialized clinical knowledge for individual needs, implements Behavior Support Plans, and collects and records data on individuals' behavior.
• Communicates with circles of support, provides updates, and obtains information as directed, and communicates with the team and maintains a solution-oriented approach during conflicts.
• Completes and maintains all necessary trainings and certifications, reviews communication logs, and completes required paperwork and documentation.
• Utilizes foundational teaching skills, understands behavior as communication, and employs person-centered thinking to support positive interactions and prevent escalation.
• Reports maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to appropriate personnel and consults with leadership to ensure streamlined and top-quality care.
• Participates in team meetings and utilizes approved YAI and NJ DDD training techniques to respond to challenging and/or self-injurious behavior.
• Provides support and coverage in various settings and programs, including assisting at off-site locations, and remains on shift or reports to another program to maintain minimum coverage levels.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• At least 18 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Driver’s License with no more than five (5) points
• Ability to meet essential physical demands including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger, or feel objects, tools, or controls; assisting with lifting/moving individuals of any weight with assistance of mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or pushing individuals in wheelchairs; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Behavior Support Plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff.
• Effective written and oral communication skills including the ability to appropriately document services provided for billing and tracking purposes.
• Enthusiasm for working with people with I/DD, willingness to take initiative, and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience, and empathy and compassion in all interactions.
• Ability and willingness to assist with a variety of supports and ADLs as requested, including regular exposure to and handling of various bodily fluids.
• Basic computer skills – including email, utilizing Workday and related systems (DA, etc.) to complete tasks.
• Hold or obtain and maintain certifications and trainings as required by program assignment and persons supported including, but not limited to Non-Crisis Invention training, American Heart Association CPR/First Aid certification, NJ Medication Administration certification and Positive Behavior Supports training as scheduled by supervisor or designee, within 120 days of appointment.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships in alignment with YAI’s mission and vision.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and work in a high energy, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled hours/shift and/or to report to work as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather or during other emergencies to maintain minimum coverage requirements of program, unless otherwise authorized.

Preferred Qualification Requirements

• Work or life experience supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), clinical syndromes, and/or I/DD with cooccurring behavioral/mental health needs.