Direct Support Professional (DSP) - Day/Community Habilitation (St. Lawrence County)

Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country seeks individuals for the role of Direct Support Professional (DSP) in our Day and Community Habilitation Program. This program serves middle-school through adult-aged individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The DSP works within the people’s homes and community to provide individualized personal care, mentorship, and stability and security to the people they support.

The services the DSP provides to each individual are tailored to the needs of that person with the end goal of enhancing their quality of life. Services may include picking individuals up at their homes and accompanying/assisting them to run errands or to participate in community activities, assisting individuals in sorting through choices and encouraging and supporting problem-solving and coping skills, assisting with and teaching individuals daily living skills such as personal hygiene, nutrition, domestic skills, and budgeting skills, and completing required documentation, to name a few. This position does not include handling medications or transporting individuals to medical appointments.

Reports to: Coordinator of Individualized Services

Rate of Pay: $18.90 per hour; paid biweekly; sign-on bonus available

Work Schedule: Full-time; Primarily Monday-Friday days, with occasional, pre-scheduled weekend or evening obligations as determined by the needs of the individuals supported.

Position Summary: Responsible for performing person-centered supports and services with a strong emphasis on personal choice to individuals with developmental disabilities, including advocating for, encouraging, guiding, and teaching individuals in expressing personal choice, daily living skills and habits, community integration, and maintaining a healthy, safe home environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide appropriate care to individuals, assuring their health and safety at all times.
• Assist individuals in evaluating choices and encourage and support problem-solving and coping skills.
• Accompany individuals to community activities and other social, educational, vocational, and recreational activities, aiding and teaching individuals to develop awareness and use of community resources and interact with others.
• Assist and teach individuals to develop/maintain positive interpersonal relationships with their peers, their families, and others in the community.
• Actively participates at staff meetings by communicating observations concerning progress and reactions to new activities and networking with other staff for new ideas and approaches.
• Teach and assist individuals with daily living skills, including personal hygiene, proper nutrition, domestic skills, including housekeeping and meal preparation, and budgeting skills.
• Prepare documentation/notes promptly for each activity and submit them for billing purposes.
• Transport individuals utilizing personal vehicles to scheduled activities and events (mileage is reimbursed).
• Maintain appropriate contact and communication with the individual’s family, advocates, and significant others.
• Work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to ensure various opportunities for individuals.
• Perform other duties as requested or directed by the supervisor.

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Successful completion of the Agency orientation and training program.
• NYS Driver’s License with two years of driving experience required.
• Acceptable motor vehicle abstract to meet Agency insurability standards.
• Reliable personal vehicle for business use.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs, transfer and support individuals with and without help.
• Physical strength to safely respond should a behavioral crisis occur.
• Ability to operate personal and Agency vehicles.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
• Some exposure to infectious diseases, hygiene issues, food, and other odors.
• Able to tolerate atmospheric conditions when performing regular outdoor seasonal activities.
• Ability to operate mechanical devices used by individuals.

Sign-on Bonus Details:

Sign-on bonuses are paid as follows for Direct Support Professional positions and are divided into four equal payments that are paid out at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and one year of employment:

$500 for per diem status (less than 30 hours per week)

$750 for part-time status (30 - 37 hours per week)

$1,000 for full-time status (37.5 - 40 hours per week)

Benefits:

Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country offers eligible employees excellent, affordable benefits options. Options include medical, dental, and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Term Life/AD&D insurance, long-term and short-term disability, 401(k), and other elective programs. We also offer generous time off, including vacation, personal, and sick time, as well as paid holidays.