In-Home Respite Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Arceriecounty; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated Direct Support Professionals to provide essential in-home respite care to individuals with developmental disabilities. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact while earning supplemental income. You will support individuals in their daily activities, ensuring their safety and well-being while their primary caregivers attend to personal matters. Join a compassionate team that values integrity, respect, and teamwork, and contribute to enhancing the quality of life for those you support. If you are enthusiastic about making a difference, this position is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent preferred.
• Must complete agency training including First Aid and CPR.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and assistance to individuals with disabilities.
• Maintain a safe environment and assist with daily living activities.
• Document services and support based on individual needs.

Skills

Communication Skills

First Aid Certification

CPR Certification

Decision-Making Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Office Equipment (Computer, Copier, Fax)

Motor Vehicles

Job description

In-Home Respite Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Job Description

Posted Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 4:00 AM

The Arc Erie County New York has been supporting children and adults with disabilities, and their families inachieving their desired quality of life by creating opportunities through comprehensive services for over 65 years.

Come Achieve with The Arc Erie County!

Fantastic Opportunity to Supplement Your Income!!

Job Title:

DSP I- In-Home Respite Care Provider

Summary:

Provides hourly supervision to individuals w/ developmental disabilities in their homes while primary care giver attends family errands, personal business or takes time for social activities.

Locations:

Lockport, Niagara Falls, Lewiston, Akron, Clarence, Buffalo, Angola, Gowanda, Eden, North Collins, Hamburg & East Aurora

Shift:

Requirements:

High School diploma or GED equivalent

Rate of Pay:

$15.56 per hour

Full Job Description is listed below:

Job Title:

Direct Support Professional I (DSP I)

Department:

Varied

Job Grade:

1

Position Summary: Direct Support Professionals (DSP) have a wide variety of duties and perform an array of activities in support of the habilitative services provided by The Arc Erie County. Tasks of daily living and facilitation of recreational activities depend on the specific abilities of the individuals being served and the nature of the setting where the service is being provided. A Direct Support Professional supports people by providing person-centered assistance and training in areas such as, but not limited to: activities of daily living, self-care skills, money management, cooking, and communication.

Reporting Relationship: Reports directly to the Program Manager.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assures peoples overall safety through maintaining safety standards, familiarity with emergency safety procedures and providing regular training to people in these areas.
• Intervenes with peoples inappropriate and/or potentially injurious behaviors in the least restrictive manner possible, while maintaining a safe environment for the person.
• Documents the provision of services, skill acquisitions and supports daily, contemporaneous and consistent with the Staff Action Plan (if applicable) and Agency procedures.
• Assists people with personal monies and shopping needs.
• Provides first aid when necessary and addresses routine health care needs.
• Prepares or assists people with meal preparation, meal planning and purchasing of food.
• Maintains a clean, safe environment by completing housekeeping and minor maintenance tasks and by providing training and assistance to people in these areas.
• Provides input to the treatment team in the development of a person-centered plan.
• Assists in the assessment of a person’s skills and behavior.
• Attends regular staff meetings, trainings, supervisory conferences and any other assigned meetings.
• Checks agency email regularly, updates supervisor on changes in contact information, maintains communication, completes online training modules in a timely fashion.
• Follows the DSP Core Competencies expectations for completing evaluations.
• Assists people with community integration, by providing support and training.
• Assures confidentiality of information about people.
• Interacts with people’s families, other stakeholders and the community-at-large as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Program Specific Duties/Responsibilities:

Residential:

• Required to work in conjunction with DSP II and/or DSP III to enhance the quality of supports provided.
• Provides support with household management tasks such as meal preparation, cooking, cleaning, inventory and recreational planning.
• Assists with the completion of IRA specific documentation.
• Monitors meals and provides assistance with eating and/or follows feeding protocol, use of adaptive equipment for eating, etc.
  - First Aid Certification, CPR must be taken as provided by the agency within 90 days of hire and must be maintained.

Day Habilitation:

• Monitors meals and provides assistance with eating and/or follows feeding protocol, use of adaptive equipment for eating, etc.
• Under direction of supervisor, develops and facilitates activities/volunteer opportunities for program participants to be productive and participate.
  - First Aid Certification, CPR must be taken as provided by the agency within 90 days of hire and must be maintained.

Respite:

• Provides in-home respite care to children and adults with developmental disabilities while primary caregiver is away. Will provide supervision and nurturing to non-disabled siblings under the age of thirteen.
• Completes assigned paperwork and timesheets following agency guidelines and observing timeframes.
• Responsible to immediately notify the Community Programs Manager or on-call supervisor of any problems, which might impact on the safety of the identified person being supported or the provider’s ability to perform his/her job duties.
• Responsible to review all information pertinent to the care of the person being supported with the Community Programs Manager and parent/guardian prior to provision of service.
• Addresses person being supported needs in the areas of medical/health, behavior, and supervision promptly and communicates them fully to the family and supervisor.
• Intervenes if the person being supported has inappropriate and/or potentially injurious behaviors, in the least restrictive manner possible, while maintaining a safe environment.

- Multi-media First Aid Certification, and other agency required Relias trainings must be taken as provided by the agency within 90 days of hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

High School or equivalent diploma preferred.

In Lieu of High School diploma or equivalent diploma new hires will be required to complete all Arc Erie County New York’s training to include, SCIP, First Aid, CPR and Medication Certification.

Essential Job Functions:

• Physical demands and Exposure Risk outlined on attached form (A)
• Mental Requirements:

The ability to read, write analyze, be perceptive/comprehensive, show good judgment, have good math & decision-making skills, independent action, planning and prioritizing and follow directions. Work independently as well as cooperatively with others. Be approachable, enthusiastic, and personable and meet job-related deadlines accordingly.

• Human Relations Skills:

The ability to communicate with individuals in a positive manner, demonstrate the ability to be a leader and serve as an appropriate role model to individuals. Receive supervision instruction in a positive manner. Adhere to and administer Agency’s policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Maintain a professional attitude and appearance at all times.

• Equipment Operation:

Good knowledge and ability in the operation of motor vehicles; Ability to use office equipment, such as, computer, copier, fax machine, etc. Ability to come in contact with normal household dust/dirt.

• All staff members will assure and demonstrate the promotion of fundamental rights and protections for the people that we support. These include practices that treat people with dignity and respect at all times, ensure safety, best possible health/well-being and provide the person with continuity and personal security through the use of natural supports, positive relationships and opportunities for integration in the community. Staff members should also advocate and work toward assisting the people we support through person-centered planning to achieve the personal outcome goals that they have chosen by facilitating the plans and positive supports necessary to assist the person in progressing toward each outcome.
• Demonstrates the agency values of integrity, respect, responsibility, trust, teamwork, positive attitude, learning and honesty in working with students (persons), families, colleagues and members of our community.
• Good attendance is vital for the efficient and effective operation of quality programming and is an essential job function of this position.

This position is NON-EXEMPT from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standard Act.

The Arc Erie County New York retains the right to change this job description at any time.

The Arc Erie County New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and strong advocate of workforce diversity. Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Veteran.