DSP Residential - Per Diem

Overview Of Primary Responsibilites

Direct Support Professionals work as part of an interdisciplinary team (clinical staff, nurses, families, advocates, etc.) providing services to adults with intellectual/ developmental disabilities. Working under the direction of a Supervisor, Direct Support Professionals provide services that enrich the lives of the individuals we support.

Our mission is to help our individuals live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

Primary Functions

• Duties and responsibilities vary in intensity and frequency (ranging from daily total care to verbal support):
• Advocacy – assists individuals with achieving desired personal outcomes (Core Competency 1)
• Professionalism – (Core Competency 3)
• Health Maintenance – supports individuals in achieving optimal health, which may include medical appointment, medication administration and healthy meal planning and preparation (Core Competency 4)
• Safety – provides continuous care in order to ensure for the overall safety of individuals, as well as colleagues and self (Core Competency 5)
• Household Maintenance - ensures routine household maintenance gets completed as needed, which may include meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, etc. (Core Competency 5, 6)
• Personal Care – supports individuals with all personal care needs, which may include providing hands on assistance (Core Competency 4,5)
• Independent Living Skills Development – helps individuals develop skills to increase independence (Core Competency 6)
• Mentor - serves as a role model, demonstrating appropriate social interactions and implementing approved crisis intervention techniques and strategies as needed (Core Competency 3)
• Operational Support - completes documentation and safety checks, in accordance with regulations and policies, utilizing appropriate computer applications and paper documentation (Core Competency 2, 3)
• Transportation - provides transportation for individuals to various sites in the community utilizing an agency vehicle (Core Competency 7)

Qualifications And Attributes

• Demonstrate all skills and attributes outlined in the NYS DSP Core Competencies
• Complete all mandatory trainings within first 90 days and maintain recertification’s ongoing
• Professionally and effectively communicate both in verbal and written forms
• Understand regulations and document services in real-time utilizing electronic technology
• Be able to multi-task and prioritize job responsibilities
• Respond timely and effectively to emergency and crisis situations
• Be proactive to identify, report and resolve safety/ medical concerns as they arise
• Able to accurately count money and complete basic math and banking transactions
• Complete training to become approved medication administration professional (AMAP) certified and accurately administer medications and maintain certification up-to-date without lapse
• Participate in team meetings and service plan meetings as necessary
• Provide person centered, culturally competent services, which may include celebration of holidays and attendance at religious services
• Provide continuous care and maintain approved staffing ratios at all times, which may include weekends and holidays
• Able to access reliable transportation
• Maintain a valid, unrestricted, insurable driver’s license
• Bilingual English and Spanish speaking is a plus
• Fluent in American Sign Language is a plus

Education And Experience

• Associate’s Degree in a related field
• Or At least 1 year of professional direct care experience or real life experience caring for others
• Internal candidates with at least 6 months of experience supporting people with higher needs (behavioral or medical)

Physical Characteristics

• Must be capable of performing all SCIP Interventions
• Able to provide hands on care to individuals with various physical disabilities, which may include showering, feeding and physical assistance
• Able to perform various household cleaning tasks utilizing cleaning supplies
• Occasional lifting of 25+ pounds, occasional pushing/pulling of 25+ pounds and occasional reaching and bending to perform necessary duties
• Able to ascend and descend stairs
• Able to participate in light to moderate physical activities
• Able to utilize various electronic devices
• Provide transportation utilizing vehicles ranging in size from sedans to large passenger vans
• Exposure to pets may be required at certain sites