Duties and Responsibilities
- Schedule and facilitate monthly house meetings to involve the residents in choosing community activities
- Reinforce positive behaviors in the community and in the residence
- Structure and provide indoor and outdoor recreation programming for the residents, maintaining a calendar of events
- Make all necessary arrangements for community involvement (scheduling, transportation, ticket purchasing, equipment, etc.) and ensure proper staffing
- Assist in the coordination of inter-residential events
- Facilitate active participation of the residents by implementing their individual program plan in their home and community
- Implement behavior support plans and Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP-r) accurately and consistently
- Complete and maintain necessary training to be able to work closely with fellow staff and one-on-one with a resident in an isolated environment within the house or in the community
- Engage in any necessary lifting, moving and/or positioning tasks for residents
- Facilitate improved gross motor, fine motor and range of motion skills
- Promote and facilitate self-care and personal hygiene
- Assist residents with bathing, toileting, dressing and eating as needed including modeling appropriate behavior, using therapeutic equipment and/or therapeutic feeding
- Perform housekeeping tasks when needed including but not limited to: meal preparation, cleaning, laundry and shopping
- Foster receptive and expressive communication through many different avenues including sign language, pictograms and electronic devices
- Navigate the agency's IntrAnet, time tracking and email systems including approving personal time card and responding to emails in a timely manner
- Accurately and consistently complete all required documentation in a continuous manner by utilizing PrecisionCare software and in written form, when necessary
- Follow HIPAA confidentiality laws
- Adhere to the Code of Ethics for DSPs
- Attend and actively participate in regular staff meetings, case reviews, in-service sessions and any other meetings scheduled or requested by the Residence Manager
- Implement fire, safety and emergency procedures in accordance with agency and program standards
- Assist with fire drills
- Safely drive agency or personal vehicle when necessary and maintain Approved Driver Status within the agency
- Maintain certifications in Medication Administration, SCIP-r, CPR and First Aid
- Administer medications to residents in accordance with the Residential Medication policies and procedures
- All other duties as assigned by manager
Minimum Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Ability to read, write, speak and understand English including interpreting documents such as safety rules and policy and procedure manuals
- Must be able to work independently and within a team
- Ability to participate in various physical and recreation activities outside the residence
- Possess a current and valid NYS drivers license with an acceptable driving record
- Have reliable transportation (none of the group homes are located on a bus route)
- High School Diploma or GED
Preferred Qualifications
- 6 months or more experience in similar role
Certifications and Trainings
- NYS Medication Administration
- SCIP-r
- CPR
- First Aid
- All other trainings mandated by the Office for people with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
*Note: all certifications and trainings will be provided by the agency if you do not already possess them Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)