Direct Support Professional - Residential

Description

We currently have Full-time, Part-time and Per Diem positions available in locations across WNY:

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide a wide variety of person-centered support and services to people with developmental disabilities, both within Individualized Residential Alternatives or a Safe House setting. DSPs empower the people they work with by providing education, experience, and exposure so they can make their own informed choices. DSPs model, teach and advocate for people with developmental disabilities to support them in achieving their highest level of independent living, enable their fullest participation in society, ensure their civil and human rights are protected and promote their ability to be productive, contributing members of the community.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understands and follows the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) code of ethics.
• Maintains their first allegiance to the people they work for by demonstrating respect and supporting problem solving skills.
• Promotes daily thinking and problem-solving skills of the person served, using active listening and coaching skills to reduce their dependency on staff and increase their self-esteem.
• Encourages growth and recognizes autonomy while being attentive and energetic in always reducing the risk of harm by providing all necessary support indicated in the IPOP.
• Has solid knowledge and understanding of person-centered planning and service delivery.
• Assists in the development (up to and including attending ISP meetings), implementation and on-going evaluation of habilitative service plans that are based on the person's preferences, needs and interests.
• Helps individuals to develop/maintain positive interpersonal relationships with their peers, with others in their families and with people in the community.
• Actively participates at staff meetings by communicating observations concerning progress and reaction to various therapy programs.
• Completes accurate documentation in Therap within required timeframes, based on the implementation of the habilitation plan.
• Provides assistance with navigating the community up to and including providing transportation to individuals when necessary.
• Completes incident reports, ISPs, GERs, TARs, MARs (once Medication Certified), Consent to Share and Release, Informed Consent for Psychotropic Medications, Behavior Tracking and/or ABC Tracking and other agency forms necessary for service delivery.
• Provides ongoing communication within and across departments to ensure proper service delivery is provided.
• Administers prescribed medications and treatments; teaches, observes, reports problem and progress in self-administration of medication; assists the individuals in achieving more independence in administration of medications; teaches use of skin care lotions, topical ointments, eye, and ear drops and assists in their use as needed. Coordinates with the pharmacy and doctors to ensure that adequate supplies of medications are readily available.
• Provides the necessary level of support, as indicated in the IPOP, while empowering and advocating for the individual before, during and after medical appointments. Ensures proper documentation is completed according to Agency policies.
• Proactively ensures the IRA/Safe House is a comfortable home environment that is clean, neat and kept in an orderly condition by teaching, assisting and performing cleaning/housekeeping duties.
• Teaches and reinforces fire safety procedures to people served.
• Understands and executes specific fire/emergency preparedness plans for their assigned sites.
• Checks that all fire exits are clear, night lights and exit signs are lit, windows are locked, and all other items on fire safety checklist.
• Checks fire equipment and reports any malfunction.
• Based on the needs of those receiving services, DSPs will also be responsible for housekeeping, cooking, laundry services, general maintenance of the worksite; and providing physical support with daily activities, personal hygiene, including bathing, dressing, getting in/out of bed, using the toilet, walking, standing, or exercising.
• Assists the Site Manager with assignments as needed, including but not limited to, the purchase/pick up of groceries, supplies and medications, tracking expenditures, routine maintenance and repairs for worksite.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma/GED OR
• Successful completion of our internal assessment of reading/writing abilities

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Must be able to read and write case notes as well as understand written directions.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and cope with stressful situations and deadlines.
• Demonstrate the ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain concentration.
• Create and maintain positive interaction with others.
• Basic computer skills.
• Successful completion of Introductory Period & Annual Training Requirements
• Knowledge of developmental disabilities.

Certifications and Screenings

• Be or become:
  • Medication Administration Certified.
  • CPR/First Aid certified.
  • SCIP-R certified.
• Adequate TB screening.
• Be authorized as an Agency Driver by
• Holding and maintaining a valid NYS Driver's License.
• Maintaining an approved driving record according to Agency Policy and Procedure.

Physical, Medical and Agility Requirements

• Seeing, hearing, walking, sitting, standing, driving, stooping, bending, carrying, stretching, and climbing stairs as well as the ability to perform all required movements required by the SCIP-R curriculum and daily shift assignments.
• Lifting up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Staying awake and alert while on duty.

Psychological and Emotional Demands

• Recognizing the needs of people receiving services and the approved methods for preventing crisis.
• Recognizing varying degrees of behavioral situations, including verbal and physical aggression to provide appropriate, positive behavior support.
• Maintaining a positive approach and using prescribed techniques when de-escalating behaviors to ensure a safe environment for people receiving services and others present.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Will work in Residential Sites as assigned.
• Travel requirements 25%: may be required to work at various locations to ensure coverage and service needs are met.