Direct Support Professional, ABA Day Program

Job Description

Job Description

Do you enjoy teaching and coaching others? Do you feel a sense of pride when they "get it?" Are you looking for a job where you can make a difference with an awesome team every day?

PathPoint is currently seeking a Per Diem   Direct Support Professional to join our Pathfinder day program in Northridge, CA . Pathfinder is a behavioral program that provides skills training and support to adults with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. As a DSP, you will use behavior support and teach a variety of skills in the classroom and on community outings. We are looking for compassionate, patient people who are teachers at heart, and experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a plus. The program runs Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4pm.

Schedule: As needed Mon-Fri 8:30a-4p, 7-35 hours per week

Must be flexible and adaptable to changes or modifications to the schedule.

Must be compassionate, flexible, team oriented, patient, familiar with ABA principles, okay with hygiene (adult diapers, etc.)

Responsibilities: 

• Encourage positive behavior and recognize, reward, and celebrate the use of new skills and appropriate responses on a daily basis with individuals. 
• Recognize unique environmental triggers for challenging behavior and proactively plan to avoid them. Support the person in an appropriate response to triggers. Deescalate challenging behavior by acting quickly to modify conditions that may contribute to the behavior.
• Follow treatment and behavior support plans as written and provide feedback on their effectiveness and any barriers to success.
• Create a positive physical and social environment and maximize each person's choices and ability to control his or her environment at all times.
• Support individuals in the areas of personal hygiene including feeding, lifting, transferring, toileting and range of motion.
• Provide support with medication and maintain medication and health records. Ensure medication logs and receipts are updated.

Qualifications: 

• High school diploma or GED is required. BA in Psychology or related field is preferred.
• Prior experience  supporting/instructing individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities and/or mental illness is preferred. Knowledge of ABA therapy is a plus.
• Must receive criminal record clearance through DOJ and pass TB screening and health screening.
• Must have a valid driver's license and satisfactory DMV record.
• Able to endure physical activities such as walking, standing, sitting, stooping, and lifting 30-40 pounds. Physical strength/stature is required as the responsibilities of the position may require restraining an individual when their behavior is dangerous, in order to prevent them from harming themselves or others.

Compensation and Benefit Package: $25.75 per hour. Full-time employee, are eligible for our generous benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, and life/AD&D insurance; paid vacation, holidays, and sick time; wellness program with cash rewards; Section 125 FSA (Flexible Spending Account); 403(b) tax-sheltered retirement savings plan with employer match; and a free Employee Assistance Program.

About PathPoint: PathPoint, a non-profit organization based in Santa Barbara, supports people in living the life they choose. PathPoint partners with people with disabilities, people with mental health diagnoses, and young adults to pursue their hopes and dreams through strengthening workplace abilities, building life skills, and developing meaningful relationships. Founded in 1964, it offers services in five Central Coast and Southern California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.