Advanced Direct Support Professional

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Advanced Direct Support Professional provides day-to-day direct care and specialized behavioral support to individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and complex behavioral needs. This position is intended for an experienced professional who has demonstrated the ability to support individuals who may experience significant behavioral challenges, mental health concerns, aggression, self-injurious behavior, or other behaviors that could present a risk to themselves or others.

The Advanced Direct Support Professional must have extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania Chapter 6400 regulations, behavioral support practices, crisis prevention, de-escalation, and approved physical intervention techniques. The employee is responsible for implementing each individual’s Behavioral Support Plan, Individual Support Plan, crisis plan, and other clinical recommendations exactly as written.

This position works collaboratively with residential leadership, the clinical department, behavioral professionals, medical personnel, and other interdisciplinary team members to identify and address clinical or behavioral concerns. The Advanced Direct Support Professional also assists individuals in safely accessing and participating in their communities while protecting the health and safety of the individual, staff members, and members of the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Care and Person-Centered Support

• Provide day-to-day direct care and supervision based on each individual’s assessed needs.
• Assist individuals with personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, toileting, meal preparation, housekeeping, medication administration, transportation, and other activities of daily living.
• Promote dignity, respect, choice, independence, privacy, and meaningful community inclusion.
• Provide the level of supervision required by the individual’s plans, assessments, and identified risks.
• Maintain professional boundaries while developing supportive and therapeutic relationships.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in an individual’s mood, behavior, physical health, mental health, or functioning.
• Accurate Medication Administration as taught through the PA DHS Medication Administration course.

Behavioral Support Plan Implementation

• Review, understand, and implement each individual’s Behavioral Support Plan exactly as written.
• Follow all proactive strategies, reinforcement procedures, coping strategies, replacement-skill programs, crisis procedures, and safety protocols identified in the plan.
• Maintain consistency when implementing behavioral interventions across shifts, environments, and community settings.
• Do not use unauthorized, unapproved, or inconsistent behavioral interventions.
• Collect accurate behavioral data and complete all required documentation within established timeframes.
• Identify potential patterns, triggers, environmental concerns, or changes in presentation and communicate observations to the appropriate clinical and operational team members.
• Support individuals in practicing coping skills, emotional regulation techniques, communication strategies, and replacement behaviors.
• Immediately report concerns about the effectiveness, safety, or implementation of a Behavioral Support Plan.

Crisis Prevention and Intervention

• Demonstrate advanced competency in crisis prevention, trauma-informed support, verbal de-escalation, environmental modification, and approved physical intervention techniques.
• Recognize early warning signs of escalation and respond using the preventive strategies identified in the individual’s plans.
• Remain calm, professional, and focused during behavioral or mental health crises.
• Implement only approved crisis interventions in accordance with the individual’s plan, organizational policy, current training, and applicable regulations.
• Use physical restraint only when authorized and necessary to address an immediate risk of harm and when permitted by the individual’s approved plan, organizational policy, applicable regulations, and the employee’s current certification.
• Use the least restrictive intervention necessary and discontinue it as soon as the immediate risk has passed. Physical intervention may never be used as punishment, for staff convenience, or as a substitute for appropriate staffing and proactive support.
• Monitor the individual’s health and safety during and after a crisis intervention and obtain emergency assistance when required.
• Complete all required incident reports, restraint documentation, data collection, notifications, and post-crisis documentation accurately and promptly.
• Participate in post-crisis reviews and assist the team in identifying preventive actions.
• Required Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, psychology, social work, behavioral health, or a related field preferred.
  • At least five years of direct support experience working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities, autism, complex behavioral needs, aggression, self-injurious behavior, or significant mental health needs.
  • Demonstrated experience implementing Behavioral Support Plans and collecting behavioral data.
  • Advanced working knowledge of Pennsylvania Chapter 6400 regulations.
  • Demonstrated competency in crisis prevention, verbal de-escalation, and approved physical restraint or physical intervention techniques.
  • Ability to maintain composure and make appropriate decisions during behavioral emergencies.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with clinical, operational, medical, and administrative departments.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to complete detailed, accurate, and timely documentation.
  • Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to safely operate an agency vehicle.
  • Ability to successfully complete all required background checks and employment clearances.
  • Current CPR and First Aid certification, medication-administration certification, and required crisis intervention certification—or the ability to obtain and maintain them within established timeframes.
  • Ability to use Therap and other required electronic systems.
  Preferred Qualifications
  • NADSP DSP-II or DSP-III certification.
  • Experience supporting individuals with court involvement, psychiatric hospitalization, or complex community safety risks.
  • Experience participating in clinical or interdisciplinary team meetings.
  • Experience with functional behavioral assessments, behavioral data collection, psychiatric services, and restrictive procedure planning.
  • Additional certification in trauma-informed care, mental health, autism support, or crisis intervention.

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