FT Direct Support Professional II

Institute for Community Living (ICL) is a non-profit organization servicing the NYC-Metro area and for over 35 years, we’ve provided life-saving care to New Yorkers in need that includes but is not limited to addiction assistance, mental health services, and housing support for all. Proudly doing so, with integrity, love, and respect. Our goal is to have a positive and long-lasting impact on the lives of the people and communities we serve with the hope of providing the care, support, and attention they need.

So it is our pleasure to announce that we are currently seeking a full-time (40 hours) candidate for the role of Direct Support Professional II (DSP II) to join our team

By ICL definition, under the direct supervision of the Residence Mgr., Asst. Residence Mgr. and guidance of our Registered Nurse, a DSP II is someone responsible for providing a variety of levels of support and services that involve, encouraging, guiding, teaching, and advocating for individuals with SEVERE intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD).

At all of our nine residential programs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Bronx, we provide 24/7 on-site service in buildings with 4 to 14 occupants, providing program assistance to help promote the growth and independence of the individuals who live there. – To learn more about what DSPs do and their Core Competencies, please ‘Click Here’ for further info.

MIN. ROLE REQUIREMENTS & PREFERENCES:

• Location: Bronx, NY 10456
• Available 5 Days min. b/w Monday to Sunday with options for O.T. – Shift: Days & Hours TBD
• VALID Driver’s License State ID – NY, NJ, CT, or PA State preferred but not mandatory
• EDU: GED/HSE or higher and/or Certified DSP from an accredited public or private organization
• EXP: 2+ years of DSP and/or Home Health Aid (HHA) experience – preferably in a residential setting
• Proper attire at all times – this includes work pants, boots, and outer/inner-wear
• PLEASE NOTE: per ICL policy, all applicants MUST be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after any potential start date

ICL BENEFITS:

PLEASE NOTE: ICL Company Benefits are exclusive to employees working 20+ hours and EDU Leave is 40+ hours ONLY

• PAID Orientation and Training + Union
• Choice of full and/or partial Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits (spousal and child coverage available too)
• Life & AD&D Insurance + Medical Flexible Spending
• Mental Health Services and Providers
• Educational & Parental Leave
• Tuition & Work-Life Assistance
• Commuter Benefits Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Matching 403B (non-profit)
• Payroll Benefits: Corporate Fitness Account / NYS College Savings Program / Etc.
• Discounts on select ticketed purchases provided by Plum Benefits
• And many more…

If you feel that you’re a suitable candidate for this role and would like to join our organization, please submit your resume in response to this ad to contact a recruiter in HR for further related info to the role below or benefits above…

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of private information
• Ability to stand, bend, kneel, squat, and stretch for long periods
• Knowledge of maintenance and cleaning products, standards, and equipment usage
• Ability to work in a setting with individuals with mental illness and/or behavioral disorders
• Ability to follow official policies and procedures regarding state and federal OPWDD regulations
• Able to stand, bend, stretch, and lift bedridden and/or incapacitated clients – certain residencies, not all
• Knowledge of active treatment plans, basic safety info, and skills related to socializing and caregiver needs
• Strong communication, interpersonal, writing, and conveying skills – bi-lingual is a plus but not mandatory
• Ability to safely operate a vehicle and drive clients from one location to another – company vehicle provided
• Ability to perform physically demanding manual labor, including lifting clients and objects weighing up to 50+ lbs
• Ability to follow all safety guidelines per the performance of the tasks mentioned below...

DSP II TASKS – ADMINISTRATIVE:

• Potentially assist in the orientation and training of other staff
• Assess individuals’ strengths, and provide a service-based response on each individual's skill level, needs, and preferences
• Commune with other direct care staff, supervisors, or clinical staff to share info and obtain direction for specific assignments
• Actively participate in staff meetings by communicating observations concerning progress and reactions to various therapy programs; may openly suggest alternative programs or procedures based on experience with the individual’s habilitation plan
• As a member of the Program Planning Team (PPT), it is a DSP’s responsibility to observe, record, and report ALL behavior and specific responses to programming, medication, interpersonal relationships, etc. to the staff supervisor in a prescribed format helping towards the development of individual programs and habilitation plans

DSP II TASKS – PERSONAL CARE:

• Assist, teach, and reinforce in properly using and caring for eyeglasses, hearing aids, and prostheses as prescribed by appropriate medical practitioners
• Assist, teach, and reinforce accepted infection control and personal grooming techniques using or concerning razors/shavers, incontinence care, menstrual care, dental care, and overall self-care as needed
• Assist, teach, and reinforce individuals with personal hygiene care such as bathing, hair and nail care, toileting, grooming routines, and the use of skin care lotions, topical ointments, eye, and eardrops and assist in their use as needed as needed
• Assist, teach, and reinforce individuals in dressing, clothing selection, storage, laundering, and repair of clothing and accessories; help them shop for clothing, maintain an adequate supply of and account for personal clothing and possessions when socializing; aids in the selection, purchase, care, and use of age-appropriate personal belongings
• Please Note: If pets are in the home, teach/assist with their feeding, grooming needs, and care as well unless you have a medical condition confirming you cannot do so otherwise

DSP II TASKS – MEDICAL CARE:

• Assist with visits to health practitioners; prepared to act to ensure the health and safety of individuals in emergency situations
• Administer and teach individuals first aid treatments; and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques and perform other health-related techniques as required
• Safely store medical supplies and ensure that all areas are kept in a neat and orderly condition for easy and safe access; report any abuse of medical treatment by individuals
• Take records, and report temperatures, blood pressures, pulse rate, weight, and other significant symptoms/health-related occurrences; aids individuals in understanding, recording, and reporting such factors
• Accompany individuals to medical, dental, and other health-related appointments; deliver prescriptions to the pharmacy, take medication to home site and log same; and instruct/observe individuals with the use of those substances
• Administer prescribed medications and treatments; teach, observe, and report problems and progress in self-administration of medication programs; assist individuals in achieving more independence in the administration of such medications
• Apply valid and accepted limits for inappropriate behavior and help control and restrain individuals with challenging behaviors in their care; report unusual incidents and physical or behavioral symptoms promptly and accurately to the supervisor

DSP II TASKS – HOUSEHOLD CARE:

• Safely store supplies and ensure that all areas are kept in a neat and orderly condition for easy and safe access; report all unsafe conditions for the following task below…
• Maintenance – perform, teach, reinforce, and assist individuals with minor and routine indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks and repairs such as changing light bulbs, and fuses, replacing faucet washers; grounds keeping, and obtaining repair services for appliances – ie: automobiles, vans, mowers, etc.
• Cleaning – perform, teach, reinforce, and assist individuals with routine housekeeping duties such as dusting, mopping, washing floors and walls, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming rugs, bed-making, both linen storage and replacement, trash cleaning/removal, and various household inventories
• Culinary – teach and assist individuals in eating who cannot feed themselves independently; to eat in a family-style setting; model mealtime socialization skills; plan, shop, store, prepare, and serve meals using currently accepted nutritional standards; clean kitchen and dining areas, and dispose of leftover food safely
• Fire Safety – perform, teach, reinforce, and assist individuals with proper fire safety procedures in the living unit; conduct fire drills following the fire evacuation plan; check to see that fire exits are clear; check fire equipment and report any malfunction; check to see that night-lights and exit signs are on, and windows locked

DSP II TASKS – IDD GROWTH & SKILLS ASSISTANCE:

• Accompany individuals and provide maximum support for community integration in social settings and programs such as cultural, religious, social, medical, and worksite events relating to the skills below…
• Motor Skills – aids individuals through exercises designed to increase physical coordinative functions
• Mobility Skills – aids individuals in the development of their mobility skills; transports or arranges for transport of individuals to community events
• Emotional Skills – aids in explaining feelings, resolving conflicts, and teaching/reinforcing acceptable means of dissipating frustration, and anger
• Personal Skills – teach and reinforce principles of human growth and development, including human sexuality, as determined by each person's developmental level and program plan
• Communication Skills – perform, teach, and reinforce the use of a variety of communication skills; aid them in developing awareness and use of community resources and in interacting with others; communicate with individuals in their care, their families, and others who meet them
• Financial Skills – teach money mgmt. principles; completes/aids in the completion of banking activities; provides an accurate accounting of all financial transactions made on behalf of individuals in your care
• Working Skills – perform, teach, and reinforce acceptable work habits – e., punctuality, dress, and grooming; enable individuals to develop readiness for work outside the home, or in support of individuals' habilitative goals
• Interpersonal & Socializing Skills – develop/maintain positive relationships with their peers, families/relatives, and others in the community; plan, teach, supervise, and participate in a variety of seasonal community leisure and recreational activities and craft projects; conduct holiday celebrations selected by residents and staff; accompany individuals to both indoor and outdoor social outings – e: dances, camping trips, swimming, horseback riding, basketball, or other sports; assists in selection and teaching of appropriate community inclusion
• Perform other job-related tasks as assigned in an organized and respectful manner…

#IND