Direct Support Professional

Community Living Corporation is a nonprofit organization that provides residential and day services to developmentally disabled adults in Northern Westchester County. Community Living Corporation is seeking a Direct Support Professional to join our team!

Direct Support Professional - Full-Time/Part-Time/Per Diem

The Direct Support Professional is to ensure the best possible emotional, physical, social well-being of our clients we serve. CLC expects all of its employees to respect all clients, families and co-workers. It is also expected that staff maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding client matters and keeping a safe, comfortable and clean environment for clients. All staff is required to work at any site as needed. Staff can be re-assigned to another location within the agency or may be required to do split shifts between locations.

Essential Functions

• ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living). Responsible for assisting, instructing and supervising consumer’s personal hygiene during any scheduled shift
• Provide “Active Treatment.” “Active treatment” is defined as the application of therapeutic strategies taught in PBS and clinical trainings under the guidelines of the Behavioral Mental Health Model. Utilize philosophy of the therapeutic model and apply this knowledge to daily work.
• Assist clients in choosing appropriate clothing, taking into consideration weather and work situations. Staff is required to complete a clothing inventory on a quarterly basis, and assist consumers with replenishing or replacing personal items while also taking into consideration the families desires on purchasing and discarding of clothing.
• Direct Support staff is responsible for providing the following medical services to the clients we serve. Again, there may be other responsibilities assigned by the RM, PA, RN, or other supervisor as needed:
• Administration of medication daily.
• Observing and reporting physical conditions and behaviors daily.
• Recording physical and behavioral events and/or changes and reporting promptly to Health Services daily.
• Documentation and secure storage of medications daily.
• Awareness of how to activate the emergency medical and administrative systems.
• Knowledge of OSHA standards and regulations.
• Timely communication to Health Services regarding medication inventories/ordering daily.
• Escorting and remaining with client (if client approves) for their medical appointments when scheduled.
• Safeguarding and prompt delivery to Health Services of all medical documentation after each medical appointment.
• Administration of First Aid and CPR as required
• Attending to medical needs, including: monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and other physical symptoms such as sleep and bowel habits, applying first aid, and administering medication and monitoring of medication side effects daily.
• Understanding, implementing and documenting each clients Residential Habilitation Plan.
• Required to assist and instruct clients in planning and preparing a healthy menu (as reviewed by the dietician). Staff will also assist in purchasing groceries, supervising or assistant with cooking and proper food preparation and storage.
• Responsible for providing a safe, comfortable and clean environment. This will include but is not limited to kitchen maintenance, housekeeping instruction and general upkeep of the home or apartment.
• Staff is responsible to also ensure that the exterior perimeters of the homes are well maintained. Clients are to be actively engaged in receiving instruction and oversight with tasks involving outdoor maintenance; ie- raking, sweeping, shoveling as well as gardening and outdoor planning as needed.
• Responsible for assisting clients in choosing activities and programs that are appropriate to the individuals’ interests, age and functioning level. Staff is also responsible for money assigned; collecting receipts used during and outing and transportation to and from community based programs.
• Staff will be asked to provide support in listening to clients concerns about work, family, relationships and peers by implementing given training and techniques in diffusing and redirecting situations.
• Responsible for teaching clients the importance of personal priorities and responsibilities. Staff must guide consumers to make good choices regarding client weekly spending and to assist in budgeting weekly expenditures.
• Required to complete mileage logs, ensure gas tank is full at end of shift and to maintain cleanliness of interior and exterior of vehicle.
• Required to transport clients to Medical Appointments and programs. Communicating with Day Programs and escorting the clients into the building to be received by staff is necessary daily.
• Completing mail runs and van maintenance daily.
• Monitoring clients’ sleeping habits, documenting any irregularities; completing bed checks daily.
• Running fire drills when needed.
• Overnights must call in to their Assistant Residential Director and/or Administrator on-call every hour.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with all staff members including Administration, Accounting, Residential, Health Services, Human Resources, Purchasing, Maintenance and Vocational.

Must possess a HS Diploma/GED, valid driver's license for a minimum of 3 years, and own transportation.

• Signing Bonus up to $1000.00 (*Full Time Employees - $500.00 upon hire and $500.00 upon completion of a probationary period and required trainings.)
• Full-Time Employee Health Insurance Paid in Full

It is the policy of Community Living Corporation (CLC ) to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, CLC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.