Direct Support Professional

Job Description

Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have two part time career opportunities available to join the HKNC team as a Direct Support Professional in our group home located in Port Washington, NY .  The Direct Support Professional  is responsible for providing support to the residents in the areas of communication, personal management, home management, money management, community skills, vocation, leisure and the use of behavior as communication.  

This is an in-person position located out of our group home in Port Washington, NY.   

Available Shifts: 

1. 16 hours per week.   Sunday-Monday. 4pm-12am

Pay Rate: $22.9440/hour.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide consistent instruction in the following areas: personal grooming, communication, home management, wardrobe management, community skills, vocation, leisure and behavior support, under guidance of the Program Advisor and Assistant Program Advisor. 
• Participation in programming which consistently promotes an atmosphere conducive to the growth of all residents and encourages maximum independence and interdependence in all areas of living. 
• Provides consistent regular checks on all consumers during shift, ensuring safety and well-being. 
• Assists consumers with safe evacuation in the event of an emergency at the home, work site or in the community. Participates in regularly scheduled drills to prepare for such emergencies. 
• Accompanies and serves as a guide and/or a facilitator of communication for consumers and professional staff members, when assigned. To accomplish this, it may be required to use personal vehicle on occasion. 
• Becomes CPR and First Aid certified. Dispenses consumer medications after passing the AMAP course.  Must become AMAP certified and maintain this certification as a condition of continued employment in this position.  
• Required to sleep-in as assigned

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE  

• High school diploma 
• Four years of paid experience as a residence/group home aide working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities preferred
• One year of experience working with individuals who are DeafBlind, blind, deaf or individuals with multiple disabilities preferred
• Must possess a valid New York State Driver’s license. 
• Familiarity with American Sign Language highly preferred.  

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees.  We offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including:

• Paid Vacation  
• Paid Sick Time
• Personal Days 
• Paid Holidays 
• Fully-Paid Medical Insurance*
• Short Term Disability/ Life Insurance
• Voluntary Ancillary plans
• 403b Program with Employer Match
• Tuition Assistance 
• Career Advancement Opportunities  

*Candidate has the option to accept the position "No-Frills".  No-frills positions receive an additional 10% premium on the hourly rate of pay, but do not participate in the Union Health Insurance Plan. Individuals seeking a No-frills position must show they have alternative insurance to be eligible.

HKNC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with a disability to complete the essential functions of their job.