Day Habilitation Direct Support Professional - Suffolk County

Direct Support Professional

We are hiring people for our Brentwood and Coram locations in Suffolk County. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) work closely with people of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Depending on the supports needed, DSPs may work at a day habilitation center, or out in the community.

DSPs assist individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities, upholding their personal rights, displaying patience and tolerance while providing emotional support and building positive relationships. They support people to meet personal goals that characterize quality of life, engage in respectful communications and conversations through person-first language, encourage socializing and facilitate activities that provide social capital and connections to the community.

DSPs are responsible for the overall supervision, protection, and care of individuals at all times including maintenance of program guidelines for the protection of individuals, facilitating learning and training in fire safety and identifying and appropriately escalating signs of an individual's potential harm to self or others. They ensure health, wellness and safety by providing appropriate supervision of the people we support and by managing crisis situations while adhering to applicable policies, procedures and regulations.

DSPs provide support in a variety of settings and in accordance with each person's individualized service and behavior support plans, utilizing support skills for people with varying levels of need and demonstrating the OPWDD Core Competencies. They ensure implementation of person-centered, individualized plans following levels of supervision and safeguards including protective oversight (IPOPs), as well as Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), Staff Action and/or Life Plans for all people we support, understanding the intentions and goals of the plans.

DSPs maintain a clean, safe and organized therapeutic environment. They utilize safe & appropriate handling procedures when working with individuals and implement infection control protocols. They assist with a variety of tasks for people we support, as appropriate/authorized, including providing personal care and assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) including intimate care and personal hygiene (e.g. bathing, dressing, and toileting), laundry and housekeeping.

DSPs ensure that medication is administered as prescribed, in accordance with applicable guidelines. They teach/develop skills, support person-centered advocacy with the individuals, assist in communication, self-expression and resolving disputes amongst individuals, and facilitate ethical decision making. They provide supervision for and/or plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks for people we support in accordance with dietary restrictions and guidelines of specific individuals including for modified diets or liquid consistencies.

DSPs transport and escort individuals on recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer and/or employment sites, etc. They assist people with making purchases, as well as safeguarding personal allowance funds and any additional funds provided. They develop an understanding of specialized clinical knowledge for person specific needs (supporting adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, complex medical needs).

DSPs implement Behavior Support Plan as written by Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS). They collect, record, and summarize data on individuals' observable behavior. They observe and report any changes in behavior, or other signs and symptoms, to clinical and/or leadership team. They serve as a member of a highly effective team (teamwork within the circle of support), providing feedback and communicating programmatic needs to members of team and maintaining a solution-oriented approach during conflicts.

DSPs complete and maintain all necessary trainings and certifications, including specialized trainings based on program and position to ensure compliance with YAI policies and all applicable rules or regulations and apply skills. They review communication logs daily and make entries of events, progress notes, services and/or information; collect and enter data as part of daily operations using an electronic health record (e.g. Digital Agency (DA), Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR).

DSPs review and complete all other required paperwork and documentation to ensure compliance and/or billing completely, accurately and within appropriate timeframes (e.g., notifications, logging, incident reports, update files, maintenance requests, phone calls, and tracking of incidents). They use foundational teaching skills (Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate [EMOE], task analysis, essential skills, supports and modifications, etc.) and progressive teaching. They understand behavior as communication and employ person-centered thinking to support positive interactions and prevent further escalation.

DSPs comply with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They report maintenance, upkeep and safety concerns observed at YAI facilities to Program Supervisor or appropriate designee. They consult with program leadership, clinical and other direct support staff to ensure streamlined and top-quality care for individuals and attend and actively participate in team meetings.

DSPs utilize/demonstrate approved YAI and OPWDD training techniques (i.e. verbal, environmental, and physical interventions, including take downs) to respond timely and appropriately to challenging and/or self-injurious behavior, ensuring the health and safety of the people we support, self and others. They provide coverage for other direct support staff as requested, which may include assisting at another YAI or off-site location (e.g. hospital) based on needs of program and/or individuals supported, including remaining on shift to ensure maintenance of minimum coverage levels for program.

DSPs may participate in the development of treatment plans. For certain assignments, they may be required to operate YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals to and/or from programs, residences, community or other locations on a daily (or other regular) basis with appropriate credentials.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; assisting with lifting/moving individuals of any weight with assistance of mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or pushing individuals in wheelchairs; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person's Behavior Support Plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff.
• Effective written and oral communication skills including the ability to appropriately document services provided for billing and tracking purposes.
• Enthusiasm for working with people with I/DD, willingness to take initiative and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience and empathy and compassion in all interactions.
• Ability and willingness to assist with a variety of supports and ADLs as requested, including regular exposure to and handling of various bodily fluids.
• Basic computer skills – including email, utilizing Workday and related systems (DA, etc.) to complete tasks.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP-R) within one (1) year of appointment.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications as required by program assignment and persons supported (for example: Choking – Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP), Diabetes Care, CPR, Tube Feeding, etc.) within one (1) year of appointment.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships in alignment with YAI's mission and vision.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and work in a high energy, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled hours/shift and/or to report to work as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather or during other emergencies to maintain minimum coverage requirements of program, unless otherwise authorized.
• For assignments that require transporting persons supported by vehicle, must hold or obtain and maintain valid Driver's License and Van certification (based on position/location/program).

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• HS diploma or its educational equivalent
• Work or life experience in the I/DD field is a plus, but not mandatory (for DSP 1 positions)
• For elevated DSP positions, must have at least three (3) years of direct support professional experience with the I/DD population and must obtain (and maintain) required YAI certifications based on setting within six (6) months of appointment.

Compensation

• $18.00/hour - $19.05/hour*
• * depending on qualifications and experience

Benefits

• DailyPay available - Work today, get paid today!
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical and dental insurance - with options for family and more extensive medical plans, as well as vision (for Full time positions)
• Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time (depending on time type)
• 403(b) retirement with employer matching