Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) supports individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in a residential treatment setting and is responsible for ensuring that those portions of the Life Plan/Individual Program Plan, which deal with day-to-day and independent living skills, are implemented. Acting as a support and providing therapeutic partnering, the DSP is charged with following the Life Plan/Individual Program Plan and the fundamental responsibility of the Individuals health and safety.

Key Essential Functions:

• Responsible for day by day care of the Individuals in the program including supervision of personal hygiene, social guidance, use of leisure time, and food planning and preparation.
• Develop, supervise and run activity sessions.
• Accompany Individual on trips and outings and supervise activities.
• May be required, to perform SCIP in the event its necessary Employees are required to attend appropriate SCIP training prior to performing such a restraint.
• Drive the Individuals to medical, social or other necessary appointments.
• Accompany Individual on medical appointments as a liaison of the interdisciplinary team, working closely with the medical team to present and receive information to all medical professionals.
• Shares their experience and observation of the Individual under care with the IDT team and immediately brings to the attention of the supervisor any unusual issues.
• Assist/Supervise Individuals with meal preparation including setting dining room table, warming food, portioning for specific Individual and adhering to specifically prescribed modified diets.
• Ensures that Individual are treated with dignity and respect at all times.
• Supports and encourages Individual's decision making on the appropriate level to further promote independence.
• Responsible to oversee activities of daily living (ADL) and all personal hygiene of the Individual.
• Assist the Residence Manager in the development and implementation of community inclusion activities using individuals and family feedback as a guide.
• Work with Individual in a group setting or on a one to one basis depending on the need of the particular Individual.
• Participates in regular staff meetings and trainings.
• May be asked to travel to offsite meetings and trainings.
• Completes regular and timely documentation of all individuals' interactions, including progress and informational notes in the respective electronic records.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
• Complete incident reports as appropriate following an incident.
• Administer medication as needed.
• Comply to the Divisional specific Jewish Orthodox culture and practices
• Other assigned duties as assigned.

Core Competencies for the Position Include:

• Compassion, empathy, patience, and genuine desire to make a positive impact on individual's lives.
• Excellent client engagement skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Attentiveness to individuals and colleagues.
• Adaptability to address situations.
• Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrating Professionalism.
• Supporting Good Health.
• Supporting Safety.

Educational / Training Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• A driver's License is preferred to meet all insurance requirements.

Experience Required / Language Preference:

• Experience with similar population in a residential setting is preferred.
• Bilingual a plus.

Computer Skills Required:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)
• Aptitude for learning new systems and software applications.

Visual and Manual Dexterity:

• Travel in the community with Individual utilizing agency vehicle.
• Engage in physical activities with the residence.
• Ability to reach paper and electronic documents.
• Ability to perform data entry into various computer programs as needed.

Work Environment/Physical Effort:

• To perform the essential functions of this job, the candidate is routinely required to sit (25%of the time) and stand (75% of the time)
• Ability to travel to visit individual in apartments or to escort Individual in the community.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds to assist Individual and to manager stairs in walk-up buildings as needed.
• The role includes assisting individuals with mobility, lifting and supporting daily activities.
• Capable of lifting and/or assisting in lifting individuals who may have limited mobility or require assistance with transfer.

If You Join Us, You'll Have These Great Benefits:

• Generous vacation time, in addition to paid agency holidays and sick days
• Affordable and high-quality medical/dental/vision plans
• Tuition assistance and educational loan forgiveness
• Free continuing education opportunities
• 403(b) retirement benefits and a pension
• Flexible spending accounts for health and transportation
• 24/7 Accessible Employee Assistance Program
• Life and disability insurance
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion working groups that are available for you to join, including Confronting Structural Racism (COR), Coalition Against Anti-Semitism (CAAS), and the LGBTQ Steering Committee

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.