Direct Support Professional

Program Kew Gardens IRA Location: Kew Gardens - 84-18 127th St. Schedule: Per Diem. Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities Assists individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities, upholding their personal rights, displaying patience and tolerance while providing emotional support and building positive relationships. Supports people to meet personal goals that characterize quality of life, engages in respectful communication through person‑first language, encourages socializing and facilitates activities that provide social capital and community connections. Supervises, protects, and cares for individuals at all times, maintaining program guidelines, facilitating fire safety training, and escalating signs of potential self‑ or other‑harm. Ensures health, wellness, and safety by providing supervision, managing crisis situations, and adhering to applicable policies, procedures, and regulations. Provides support in various settings according to individualized service and behavior support plans, utilizing support skills for people with varying needs and demonstrating the OPWDD Core Competencies. Implements person‑centered individualized plans, including levels of supervision, safeguards (IPOPs), Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), Staff Action and/or Life Plans. Maintains a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment. Uses safe hand‑holding procedures and infection control protocols when working with individuals. Assists with personal care and activities of daily living (ADLs), including intimate care, personal hygiene, laundry, and housekeeping. Ensures medication is administered as prescribed in accordance with applicable guidelines. Teaches and develops skills for individuals. Supports person‑centered advocacy with the individuals. Assists in communication, self‑expression, and dispute resolution among individuals. Facilitates ethical decision making. Provides supervision and plans balanced meals and snacks in accordance with dietary restrictions and guidelines. Transports and escorts individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer and employment sites, etc. Assists people with making purchases and safeguards personal allowance funds and additional funds. Develops an understanding of specialized clinical knowledge for person‑specific needs (e.g., adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, complex medical needs). Implements Behavior Support Plan as written by the Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS). Collects, records, and summarizes data on individuals’ observable behavior. Observes and reports any changes in behavior or other signs and symptoms to the clinical and/or leadership team. Serves as a member of a highly effective team, providing feedback and communicating programmatic needs while maintaining a solution‑oriented approach during conflicts. Completes and maintains all necessary trainings and certifications, including specialized trainings based on program and position, to ensure compliance with YAI policies and applicable regulations. Reviews communication logs daily, makes entries of events, progress notes, services, and/or information, and records data as part of daily operations using an electronic health record (e.g., Digital Agency (DA), Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR)). Completes all required paperwork and documentation to ensure compliance and billing accuracy within appropriate timeframes. Uses foundational teaching skills (Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate [EMOE], task analysis, essential skills, supports, and modifications) and progressive teaching. Understands behavior as communication and employs person‑centered thinking to support positive interactions and prevent escalation. Complies with all federal, state, local, and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including HIPAA. Reports maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns observed at YAI facilities to the Program Supervisor or appropriate designee. Consults with program leadership, clinical staff, and direct support staff to ensure streamlined, high‑quality care and attends team meetings. Utilizes approved YAI and OPWDD training techniques (verbal, environmental, physical interventions, including take‑downs) to respond to challenging or self‑injurious behavior. Provides coverage for other direct support staff as requested, which may include assisting at another YAI or off‑site location, and remains on shift to maintain minimum coverage levels. May participate in the development of treatment plans. For certain assignments, may be required to operate a YAI motor vehicle to transport individuals, based on program and location requirements. Performs all other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualification Requirements Must be at least 18 years of age. Physical ability to meet essential demands of the position, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling objects, and lifting/moving individuals up to 25 pounds or using mechanical lifts. Ability and willingness to assist with a variety of ADLs and to handle bodily fluids. Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document services for billing and tracking. Enthusiasm for working with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, demonstrating positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion. Basic computer skills (email, Workday, digital health record systems). Hold or obtain and maintain Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised (SCIP‑R) within one year of appointment. Hold or obtain and maintain additional certifications as required by program assignment (e.g., Choking – Return Demonstration, Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP), Diabetes Care, CPR, Tube Feeding, etc.) within one year of appointment. Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships in alignment with YAI’s mission and vision. Remain calm in stressful situations and work in a high‑energy, fast‑paced environment. Work beyond regularly scheduled hours/shift, report on holidays, inclement weather, or emergencies as needed. For assignments requiring transportation, hold a valid Driver’s License and Van certification (based on position/location/program). Preferred Qualification Requirements High School diploma or equivalent. Work or life experience supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Compensation $18.00/hour to $18.79/hour. EEO Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr YAI - Seeing beyond disability