DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP)

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a not-for-profit charity serving children, families, and individuals with developmental disabilities across New York City and Long Island. Our staff of over 500 people provide caring and professional services to nearly 2,000 people every year. Since 1930, Little Flower has been committed to improving the lives and well-being of those we serve by providing foster boarding home care, residential treatment care and where appropriate, adoption. Our work focuses on strengthening the family so that they can provide a safe nurturing environment for raising children and to overcome a myriad of obstacles that threaten a child’s safety.Summary Job Description:The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for implementing person-centered services and supports for adults with IDD residing in Little Flower’s IRA/ICF programs. The DSP is responsible for teaching and implementing the individual’s goals/valued outcomes, both in the residence and in the community. DSPs must be able and willing to teach, provide counseling, and problem solve, while fostering a nurturing, personalized and therapeutic environment. The primary responsibility of all DSPs is to ensure the individual’s overall health, safety and well-being.Essential Functions and Responsibilities:Ensure the overall health and safety of all individuals in the residence. Promote the skills development, interests, and hobbies of the individuals in the residence in a therapeutic environment.Assist individuals with meals and all other Activities of Daily Living skills (ADLs) including but not limited to personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, domestic chores, etc.Provide daily person-centered support/services, including direct care, that are both cognitively and developmentally appropriate. This may include supporting individuals with challenging behavioral and emotional needs, high medical needs and/or physical disabilities.Administer medications as per OPWDD’s AMAP regulations and requirements. Respect the confidentiality and privacy of the people we support.Promote and ensure that the human rights of the people we support are exercised through just, fair and equitable treatment. Assist people we support in understanding and expressing their rights and responsibilities.Recognize that each person we support is a valued member of society and help others to understand their value through advocacy, inclusion and full community participation.Ensure all services and supports are delivered in accordance with the agency’s policies and procedures while adhering to all OPWDD, State and Federal regulations and guidelines.Identify, intervene and report any and all instances of suspected abuse or neglect of any people we support, while fully participating in any and all investigations involving suspected and reported incidentsBe knowledgeable of and implement the person-centered plan for each person we support, including but not limited to habilitative plans, staff action plans, behavior support plans and life plansComplete and submit all required clinical and billing documentation contemporaneously into the Electronic Health Record. If unable to enter the data electronically before completion of hours worked, supervisor must be notified immediately.Participate in all scheduled or required meetings and trainings as requested by the Residential Manager or designeeDrive individuals to and from agency approved activities such as recreational outings, medical and/clinical appointments, etc. as assigned by your supervisor, using an agency vehicleEnsure when driving and operating the agency’s vehicles to follow and respect all city, state, and federal laws, as well as the agency policy and procedures, and the vehicles are driven and maintained in safe condition at all timesAssess and monitor progress while recognizing that each person we support has the potential for lifelong learning and growth.Responsible for monitoring your time and attendance, as well as accurately entering time and attendance into Little Flower’s payroll system contemporaneously.Other duties as may be assigned from time to time without notice by your supervisor Qualifications/Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent requiredValid NYS Driver’s LicenseProfessionalism, integrity and excellent communications skillsAbility to be patient, alert, and awake at all timesMust have computer skillsFlexibility in scheduled work hours as neededEager to learn and hone skills to be a professional in the fieldAble to work with a diverse group of people and be a team playerWork/life experience supporting people with IDD preferredAbility to participate in NYS mandated OPWDD initial trainings during normal business hours, upon hireTuberculosis test mandatory (1x QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test or 2x 2-Step PPD Tests)As needed to perform any of the aforementioned activities, be able to ascend/descend stairs, assist individuals with feeding, bathing, dressing and/or toileting, lift at least 50 pounds, walk, crouch, bend crawl, squat, stand, sit, etc.