Direct Support Professional- Lead/ DDWaiver

Kids for the Future; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Kids for the Future in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Supported Living DSP Lead to provide advanced direct support and lead staff in safety, ISP alignment, and documentation quality. This role also coordinates services and daily house operations in line with state regulations.

The position demands providing teaching and support to enhance daily living, behavior, communication, and community participation while ensuring HIPAA and ARCA policy compliance. High school diploma required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to teach, coach, and support individuals with disabilities.
• Attention to detail in documenting progress and behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety inspections, drills and trainings.
• Coordinate ISP/IDT activities and lead staff meetings.
• Ensure quality in documentation and reports.
• Oversee medication accuracy and supply management.
• Support staffing, onboarding, and training.
• Help individuals develop daily living, communication and social skills.

Skills

Teaching / coaching

Attention to detail

Reading comprehension

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Education

High school

Tools

iDocs

Therap

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

• Base Pay $17.75 / Hour
• Other Compensation +$1.00 per hour differential for night awake shifts and +$1.00 per hour differential for weekend shifts
• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt
• Required Degree High school
• Manage Others No

Position Summary

The Supported Living DSP Lead provides advanced direct support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The DSP Lead performs all duties of a Direct Support Professional and additionally serves as a lead staff, supporting safety, compliance, training, documentation quality, coordination of services, and daily house operations in alignment with Individual Service Plans (ISP), ARCA policies, and state regulations .

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. 1. Serve as Safety Assistant, conducting inspections, drills, and safety trainings.
2. 2. Lead staff meetings and coordinate ISP/IDT activities.
3. 3. Review and ensure quality compliance of documentation and reports.
4. 4. Oversee medication accuracy, supplies, and error reporting.
5. 5. Support staffing, scheduling, onboarding, coaching, and training.
6. 6. Provide effective teaching, support, and assistance to implement ISP goals and objectives to enhance individuals’ ability to live and participate in their community to include functional living skills, behavior development, communication, and social skills.
7. 7. Teach and assist with daily living skills including personal hygiene, bathing, toileting, dressing, eating, cooking, housekeeping, mobility, recreation, leisure, employment, shopping, transportation, and community access.
8. 8. Support individuals in making choices and exercising autonomy in their daily lives.
9. 9. Prepare and/or assist individuals with meal preparation following posted menus and dietary guidelines, including pureeing foods if required.
10. 10. Follow CARMPS guidelines during meals and model appropriate ‘family - style’ dining behavior.
11. 11. Teach self - administration of medications when assigned and in accordance with ARCA policies and state regulations, including knowledge of the six rights of medication, expected effects, side effects, and emergency procedures.
12. 12. Implement health and wellness activities and model appropriate nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices.
13. 13. Perform light to heavy housekeeping duties including cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, bed making, and general home upkeep.
14. 14. Accompany and assist individuals during community outings while maintaining professional conduct.
15. 15. Provide transportation using agency or approved personal vehicles, ensuring passenger safety and reporting any accidents immediately.
16. 16. Manage individual and household funds responsibly, including allowances, petty cash, gas monies, and expense accounts, ensuring proper documentation and compliance with ARCA policies.
17. 17. Work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team (IDT), participating in meetings and following direction from supervisors and leadership.
18. 18. Promote health and safety by recognizing signs of illness, adhering to safety policies, maintaining a safe environment, and following emergency on - call procedures.
19. 19. Communicate effectively with individuals served, co - workers, supervisors, families, medical professionals, visitors, and community partners.
20. 20. Maintain accurate documentation including progress notes, incident reports, medication logs, weekly medication counts, and billing documentation using iDocs, Therap, or other required systems.
21. 21. Maintain professional appearance and conduct at all times.
22. 22. Complete all required training within designated timeframes and participate in ongoing in-service training.
23. 23. Abuse/Neglect/Emergency Situations : Treat individuals served with dignity and respect at all times and report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, hazards, or injuries as required by law and ARCA policy.
24. 24. HIPAA Compliance & Confidentiality : Maintain full compliance with HIPAA regulations and ARCA confidentiality policies when accessing Protected Health Information (PHI).

Requirements

Qualifications / Performance Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to provide effective teaching, assistance, and support to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and cognitive disabilities.
• Attention to detail with the ability to objectively observe, document, and report individual progress and behaviors.
• Reading comprehension sufficient to understand and implement Individual Service Plans (ISP).
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish respectful, supportive, and professional relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals who may have limited verbal communication.
• Computer skills including use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and agency documentation systems.

Performance Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
• Negative tuberculosis test or physician clearance required.
• Ability to comply with all agency policies and procedures, including infectious disease protocols.
• ARCA is Federally funded, the use of legalized marijuana, or medical marijuana is strictly prohibited.

Summary

ARCA is an equal opportunity employer committed to its affirmative action plan in employment, benefits administration, and general personnel practices, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, appointment, promotion, compensation, training, career development and disciplinary practices. Opportunities at all levels of the employment relationship will be provided in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law which prohibit employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, medical condition, or other prohibited factors.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, contact Human Resources at 505-332-6700.