Direct Support Professional

Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused behavioral health organization in New York City seeks a Direct Support Professional to work with children and adolescents in a residential treatment setting. The role requires ensuring care and implementing treatment plans while acting as a positive role model. Candidates should possess strong youth engagement skills and have a high school diploma. Compassion and the ability to work with trauma-impacted youth are essential. The position involves documentation, supervision during activities, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Some work experience with a similar population in a residential setting is preferred.
• A Driver’s License is required to meet all insurance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for day-to-day care of clients, including personal hygiene and social guidance.
• Develop and supervise activity sessions for clients.
• Accompany clients on trips and supervise activities.
• Complete regular documentation of all resident interactions.

Skills

Youth engagement skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Attention to detail

Patience and understanding

Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals

Education

High School diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

The Jewish Board’s Community Behavioral Health treatment programs provide compassionate, high quality, evidence-based services to individuals and families in the communities we serve. Our staff uses a culturally competent, person centered approach to help individuals and their families develop skills and resources to improve overall functioning, to instill hope, and to strengthen resiliency. Our programs work closely with community partners to address health disparities in our neighborhoods while also celebrating the strengths and resilience of our communities. Our children’s community residences are single site residences that provide group living for eight children and/or adolescents. The program provides a supervised, trauma informed therapeutic environment which seeks to develop the resident\'s skills and capacity to live in the community and attend school/work as appropriate.

Position Overview

The Direct Support Professional works with children and adolescents in a residential treatment setting and is responsible for ensuring that those portions of the treatment plan which deal with day to day and independent living skills are implemented. Acting as a positive role model and providing therapeutic support, the Direct Support Professional is charged with the fundamental responsibility of the client\'s health and safety.

Key Essential Functions

• Responsible for day-to-day care of the client in the program including helping consumers to maintain their personal hygiene, social guidance, use of leisure time, and food planning and preparation.
• Develop, supervise and run activity sessions.
• Accompany clients on trips and outings and supervise activities.
• May be called upon to work one on one with a client who is displaying significant stress or assist with management issues as they relate to clients.
• Drive the clients to medical, social or other necessary appointments.
• Shares their experience and observation of the clients under care with the treatment team and immediately brings to the attention of the supervisor any unusual issues.
• Will be required to cook/prepare meals for residents within the program.
• Participates in weekly team meetings (Virtually/ in-person).
• Participates in regular staff meetings and trainings. May be asked to travel to offsite meetings and trainings
• Completes regular and timely documentation of all resident interactions, including progress and informational notes in the respective electronic records
• Coordinate and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team
• Complete incident reports as appropriate following an incident
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Willingness to work with children/adolescents living with the impact of trauma and experience mental health challenges
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals
• Patience and understanding for the sometimes slow process of stabilization and recovery
• Excellent youth engagement skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail

Educational/Training Required

• High School diploma is required.
• A Driver’s License is required to meet all insurance requirements.

Experience Required / Language Preference

• Some work experience with a similar population in a residential setting.

Computer Skills Required

• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Aptitude for learning new systems and application software

Visual and Manual Dexterity

• Must have the ability to read and write

Work Environment/Physical Effort

• Travel in the community with residents utilizing agency vehicle
• Engage in physical activities with the residence

We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This applies with respect to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, termination, assignments, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and all other terms and condition of employment as well as general treatment during employment.

We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities, without regard to any protected classifications, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Any employees who need assistance to perform their job duties because of a physical or mental condition should contact human resources.