Direct Support Professional (DSP)

DSP-Direct Support Professional

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a role model for the developmentally disabled consumer. The DSP's actions and interactions are based on mutual respect, communication, teamwork, teaching Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The DSP will provide hands on physical assistance for all ADL that the consumer does not complete independently.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administers medication, as per OPWDD AMAP certification.
• Uses a pro-active approach to offer and actively encourage choice making. Utilizes physical redirection techniques, as per OPWDD SCIP certification and individualized adaptive behavior programs.
• Guides, teaches and supervises, and, if necessary, provides physical assistance to the consumer during the performance of self-care routines: toileting, hand washing, bathing, showering, tooth brushing, eating, personal grooming and dressing.
• Implements program goal plans as written i.e. self care, communication, independent living, mobility, learning, economic self-sufficiency, self-direction, and records documentation, including billing as per program necessity.
• Implements physical therapy interventions as written.
• Assists, monitors, and supervises the consumer during the performance of house cleaning chores, i.e. dusting, vacuuming, bed making, laundry, ironing, dishwashing and table setting. Performs all housekeeping responsibilities that the consumers cannot satisfactorily complete.
• Actively participates in and provides supervision during recreation, both within IGHL and in the community. Encourages and schedules opportunities for leisure activities, both individualized and group oriented.
• Maintains DRIVER AUTHORIZATION status, as per IGHL policy and provides transportation and supervision during community integrated activities and medical appointments if applicable
• Teaches the consumers the aspects of good nutrition, i.e. menu planning, diet requirements, food groups, preparation, handling and shopping; provide supervision and, if necessary, hands on assistance.
• Accurately maintains documentation in all logs: nursing, medication, exposure control, behavior, communication and first aid.
• Adheres to IGHL and OPWDD policy, including Safety and Code of Conduct, and completes forms as warranted: time sheets, time off requests, tuition reimbursement, physical complaint reports and incident reports.
• Adheres to emergency policies and administers first aid in accordance with prescribed procedures.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and in-services training.
• Offers suggestions and requests supplies for residential, programmatic, site-specific needs.
• Participates in specialty training such as CPR and keeps certifications current.
• At any time during a DSP's shift he/she may be asked to cover at another location; including hospital coverage based on Agency needs.
• Complete and maintain SCIP, Adult CPR, AMAP and defensive driving certifications within 6 months of hire or transfer in order to keep the DOC pay, as per IGHL policy.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education, Work Experience, and Competencies

• High School Diploma/GED
• Valid NYS Driver's license
• Complete and maintain SCIP and Adult CPR certification, as per IGHL policy
• Work regularly scheduled days, including those that fall on holidays
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. at least five times per hour
• Able to sit, stand or bend throughout the day
• Enthusiastic team player that handles stressful situations professionally with ease

The Direct Support Professional upholds IGHL's mission, emulates the values and commits to the vision.

IGHL CORE VALUES

INTEGRITY: We are committed to an environment that is authentic, fair, honest and operates ethically.

COMPASSION: We treat each other with kindness and empathy, lifting up and supporting one another at all times.

TEAMWORK: We value collaboration, open communication, and building a supportive environment knowing together we can achieve more.

INCLUSION: We embrace diversity in people, ideas, and experiences where everyone is heard, appreciated and accepted.

RESPECT: We value individual experiences and feelings while treating people with kindness and dignity.

VISION

IGHL's Vision is to be a Center of Excellence with state-of-the-art technologies and practices, embracing new business models and leveraging all of our resources. Our professional and competitively-compensated team members act in fidelity honoring the responsibility of providing a lifetime of support to individuals in the IGHL family.

MISSION

The mission of IGHL is to provide lifetime support and innovation services for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

TAGLINE

Supporting people through life