Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professionals

About the Role:

The Direct Support Professional works with children and adolescents in a residential treatment setting and is responsible for ensuring that those portions of the treatment plan, which deal with day-to-day and independent living skills, are implemented. Acting as a positive role model and providing therapeutic parenting, the Direct Support Professional is charged with the fundamental responsibility of the client's health and safety.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are caring, positive role models who work one-on-one or in small groups to help people of all ages lead safe, full, and independent lives.
As a Direct Support Professional, you’ll be a teacher, a mentor, a role model, and a friend, helping the people you work with achieve a great quality of life. Your client could be anyone from a child who is in the foster care system, to a young adult living with ongoing mental health issues, to an adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You’ll work to support them in a caring manner, in everything from daily routines such as making plans with friends, to joining community events, to grocery shopping and cooking, to participating in recreational activities, and building skills around personal care and relationships.
Being a DSP is not just a job – it’s an amazing opportunity to help others thrive.

QUALIFICATIONS:
A High School diploma or GED equivalent A current, valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is preferred depending on the program.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for day-by-day care of the children 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 clients on trips and outings and supervise activities
• May be called upon to work one on one with a client who is displaying significant stress or assist with management issues as they relate to clients.
• If required, perform therapeutic restraint should a child be out of control. All employees are required to attend appropriate restraint training prior to performing such a restraint
• Drive the child to medical, social or other necessary appointments or assist in returning clients to the campus who are AWOL
• Shares their experience and observation of the children under care with the treatment team and immediately brings to the attention of the supervisor any unusual issues
• May be required to cook/prepare meals for residents within their division
• Other assigned duties as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Willingness to work with children/adolescents living with the impact of trauma and experience mental health challenges
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals
• Patience and understanding for the sometimes slow process of stabilization and recovery
• Excellent youth engagement skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail

EDUCATIONAL / TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or Equivalency is required.
• Driver’s License required to meet all insurance requirements.

PAY: $18.00 per hour 

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US:
• If you have a particular age or type of person you’re interested in working with, you can find your niche
here.
• Our clients and staff are as diverse as New York City, and include people of all cultures, religions,
races, genders, and sexual orientations.
• With over 50 locations throughout the five boroughs, you can work close to where you live.
• Generous vacation time and paid holidays help you achieve a healthy work/life balance.
• We offer an excellent benefits package with affordable, high-quality health and dental insurance with
low co-pays.
• You’ll get extensive, on-the-job training to help you grow and succeed

 

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