Day Hab Direct Support Professional (DSP) - Buffalo

The Arc Erie County NY is a leading nonprofit supporting people with developmental & intellectual disabilities across Western New York, through innovative residential, educational, clinical and employment services. Proudly celebrating our 75th anniversary , we remain committed to empowering individuals and building inclusive communities.

The Arc Erie County NY is seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSP) for our Day Services program on Main St. Buffalo, NY!

Responsibilities for our Day Services DSP's:

• Supports people with disabilities in a center-based program
• Teach daily living, social, and adaptive skills to increase independence
• Provide training for personal hygiene, cooking and safety
• May take individuals on community outings
• Document progress to help our people achieve their goals

Qualifications Needed:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent preferred
• Valid NYS Driver's License w/ approved record required
• Previous experience working with people with disabilities preferred

Schedule and Pay:

• $22.89 per hour!!
• Mon - Fri 8:00am-3:30pm (35 hours weekly)

Employment Benefits:

• Affordable health, dental, vision & life insurance
• 10 paid holidays off!
• No nights, weekends or holidays worked
• 403b Retirement program w/ employer contribution
• Automatic paid time off (PTO)
• On the job, paid training with experienced managers
• Safe working environment
• Apprenticeship program to gain higher salary
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement

See our full Job Description listed below:

Job Description

Job Title:

Direct Support Professional III (DSP III)

Department:

Varied

Job Grade:

2

Position Summary: Direct Support Professionals (DSP) have a wide variety of duties and perform an array of activities in support of the habilitative services provided by The Arc Erie County. Tasks of daily living and facilitation of recreational activities depend on the specific abilities of the individuals being served and the nature of the setting where the service is being provided. A Direct Support Professional supports people by providing person-centered assistance and training in areas such as, but not limited to: activities of daily living, self-care skills, money management, cooking, self-administration of medication, community integration, and communication.

Reporting Relationship: Reports directly to the Program Manager as assigned.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assures peoples overall safety through maintaining safety standards, familiarity with emergency safety procedures and providing regular training to people in these areas.
• Intervenes with peoples inappropriate and/or potentially injurious behaviors in the least restrictive manner possible, while maintaining a safe environment for the person. Use techniques/strategies as identified in behavior plans to support participants to interact in a positive/respectful manner with other and self.
• Transports people to medical appointments (if applicable), recreation activities and other appointments/activities as scheduled. Assists in maintenance of those records.
• Documents the provision of services, skill acquisitions and supports daily, contemporaneous and consistent with the Staff Action Plan and Agency procedures.
• Assists people with personal monies and shopping needs.
• Provides first aid when necessary and addresses routine health care needs.
• Prepares or assists people with meal preparation, meal planning and purchasing of food.
• Maintains a clean, safe environment by completing housekeeping and minor maintenance tasks and by providing training and assistance to people in these areas.
• Provides input to the treatment team in the development of a person-centered plan.
• Assists in the assessment of a person's skills and behavior.
• Attends regular staff meetings, trainings, supervisory conferences and any other assigned meetings.
• Checks agency email regularly, updates supervisor on changes in contact information, maintains communication, completes online training modules in a timely fashion.
• Follows the DSP Core Competencies expectations for completing evaluations.
• Assists people with community integration, by providing support and training.
• Schedules are subject to change due to the needs of the program. Assignments to other IRAs / work locations are subject to change to ensure appropriate supervision is provided for hospitalization/ER admissions and to provide safe minimum coverage.If/When directed to work at another site (other than staff's base location/IRA), staff will be notified. If the notification is made during/while at your shift to switch/float to another location, the agency will reimburse the Federal amount for mileage between the sites. The expectation of this position is that staff will remain awake and perform duties as per the job description or as assigned regardless of the house/IRA that staff are working in.
• In the event of a weather, health or other emergency situation, staff may be REDEPLOYED as need to provide necessary staffing coverage. This may include a redeployment/temporary reassignment to another physical location or line of business, i.e Day Habilitation staff may be redeployed to work in an IRA temporarily.
• Assures confidentiality of information about people.
• Interacts with people's families, other stakeholders and the community-at-large as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Program Specific Duties/Responsibilities:

Residential:

• Administers medications as per individuals' orders and agency protocols
• Monitors meals and provides assistance with eating and/or follows feeding protocol, use of adaptive equipment for eating, etc.
  - Medication Administration, Safe Driving, First Aid Certification, CPR and Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention-Revised training (SCIP) must be taken as provided by the agency within 90 days of hire and must be maintained.

Day Habilitation:

• Administers medications as per individuals' orders and agency protocols

• Monitors meals and provides assistance with eating and/or follows feeding protocol, use of adaptive equipment for eating, etc.
• Under direction of supervisor, develops and facilitates activities/volunteer opportunities for program participants to be productive and participate.
  - Medication Administration, Safe Driving, First Aid Certification, CPR and Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention-Revised training (SCIP) must be taken as provided by the agency within 90 days of hire and must be maintained.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

High School or equivalent diploma preferred.

In Lieu of High School diploma or equivalent diploma new hires will be required to complete all Arc Erie County New York's training to include, SCIP, First Aid, CPR and Medication Certification.

Human Services experience preferred.

PLUS

Have and maintain a valid NYS driver's license and approved driving record.


CSS Positions only: Owner ship and access to an insured car in good operating condition is required.

Essential Job Functions:

• Physical demands and Exposure Risk outlined on attached form (A)
• Mental Requirements:

The ability to read, write analyze, be perceptive/comprehensive, show good judgment, have good math & decision-making skills, independent action, planning and prioritizing and follow directions. Work independently as well as cooperatively with others. Be approachable, enthusiastic, and personable and meet job-related deadlines accordingly.

• Human Relations Skills:

The ability to communicate with individuals in a positive manner, demonstrate the ability to be a leader and serve as an appropriate role model to individuals. Receive supervision instruction in a positive manner. Adhere to and administer Agency's policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Maintain a professional attitude and appearance at all times.

• Equipment Operation:

Good knowledge and ability in the operation of motor vehicles; Ability to use office equipment, such as, computer, copier, fax machine, etc. Ability to come in contact with normal household dust/dirt.

Agency Principles :

• All staff members will assure and demonstrate the promotion of fundamental rights and protections for the people that we support. These include practices that treat people with dignity and respect at all times, ensure safety, best possible health/well-being and provide the person with continuity and personal security through the use of natural supports, positive relationships and opportunities for integration in the community. Staff members should also advocate and work toward assisting the people we support through person-centered planning to achieve the personal outcome goals that they have chosen by facilitating the plans and positive supports necessary to assist the person in progressing toward each outcome.
• Demonstrates the agency values of integrity, respect, responsibility, trust, teamwork, positive attitude, learning and honesty in working with students (persons), families, colleagues and members of our community.
• Good attendance is vital for the efficient and effective operation of quality programming and is an essential job function of this position.

This position is NON-EXEMPT from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standard Act.

The Arc Erie County New York retains the right to change this job description at any time.

The Arc Erie County NY is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) & Affirmative Action Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.