Lead Direct Support Professional

Company Overview

Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, Eden is a community-services provider and not-for-profit organization, serving children and adults with autism for over 40 years. Founded in 1975, Eden began as a small, family-oriented school for individuals with autism and today offers classes from pre-K through age 21. In addition, Eden provides services for adults with autism including residential and employment programs, as well as providing clinical and training support for families and professionals.

INTRODUCTION

We have an exciting career opportunity for a Lead Direct Support Professional (DSP), who will provide basic life skills training and behavior support programs to participants in their residence and in the community in order to meet their individual therapeutic needs. The schedule for this position is five (5) eight (8) hour days (1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) with a Saturday or Sunday as one of the (5) five days per week; flexibility as needed. The location is in Robbinsville, NJ. Pay rate starts at $21.25/hr.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision

• Supervise shift Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and substitutes; assist in completing Teacher Quality Assessments (TQAs) and performance evaluations
• Coordinate and assist with training of residential staff.
• Work with Program Supervisors to provide timely feedback to Direct Support Professionals.

Teaching and Behavior Support (Clinical)

• Assist in the development of Individual Habilitation Plans (IHPs) and Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) for assigned participants; troubleshoot as needed.
• Ensure data collection on all teaching and behavior support programs and review for accuracy and progress.
• Assist the Program Supervisor to create habilitation environments that are supportive of participant needs and the use of evidence-based practices for intervention purposes.
• Assist in coaching DSP’s as needed in correct implementation of Professional Crisis Management techniques.
• Ensure consistent implementation of participant’s Behavior Support Plans (BSPs).
• Manage maladaptive behaviors including tantrums, self-injury, and aggression.

Report Writing and Administration

• Implement residential schedule to ensure adequate staff coverage for all shifts.
• Assist in the completion of monthly reports: behavioral, clinical, financial, medical and facilities paperwork monthly and/or as necessary.
• Record, update, and maintain data via Therap relating to each participant’s performance on individual teaching and behavior support programs.
• Assist in maintaining participant files, e.g. medical, dental, IHP, etc.
• Assist in scheduling of medical and dental appointments including follow-ups; provide coverage as necessary.
• Assist in monitoring of residential and participant budget-related activities
• Assist in completing and submitting weekly time and attendance records and time off requests.
• Complete and adhere to all necessary purchasing, requisition, and accounting forms and procedures.
• Participate in monthly medication check-in with the Health and Social Services Coordinator as needed.

Facilities

• Perform light facilities-based maintenance duties to include but not limited to: changing light bulbs; unclogging toilets and drains; simple furniture repairs; trash removal; and moving small pieces of furniture.
• Maintain safe living conditions by performing tasks such as simple snow removal, maintaining an uncluttered environment, changing batteries in smoke detectors, etc.
• Assist with basic pool maintenance under the direction of the Facilities department staff, if applicable to residence.
• Report any maintenance issues/needs to the Facilities department.

Communication and Meetings

• Maintain responsive professional and proactive communication with parents and colleagues.
• Participate in regularly scheduled individual meetings with residential supervisor, regularly scheduled house staff meetings, and scheduled staffing for participants as necessary.
• Notify Supervisor or Coordinator immediately of any situation which compromises the safe and effective operation of Residential Services.
• Cooperate with Eden Autism Services and Department of Human Services staff in any inspection or investigation.
• Represent Eden in a professional manner at all times when with participants in the community.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education:  High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree in Social Services or related field is preferred.

Experience/Requirements:

• Minimum two (2) years of direct care work experience, preferably with developmentally disabled individuals.
• One (1) year supervisory experience.
• Fee for Service/Therap certification a plus.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with record in good standing (less than 5 points)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time during the work day, including bending, squatting, kneeling, stretching and stooping; and reaching above shoulder level.
• Vision requirements including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to utilize and maintain physical restraints with participants as needed.
• Ability to pass and maintain Professional Crisis Management (PCM) certification. 
• Mobility to ensure the safety of participants at all times. 

Specialized Skills and Knowledge 

• Ability to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of applied behavioral analysis
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and correspondence.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service on a consistent basis.
• Basic math skills including: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to effectively interact with individuals and groups, both internally and externally, in order to achieve desired results.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to implement physical techniques including personal control, crisis, and restrictive procedures as trained; may be required to provide physical assistance and/or prompting to an individual. 
• Beginner to intermediate proficiency in MS Office including Word and Excel.

Eden is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Eden Autism is an E-Verify Employer