Residential Direct Support Professional

Company Description

Happiness House is a private nonprofit health, educational, residential and human service organization that has been serving communities in the Finger Lakes Region since 1969. Today with sites in Canandaigua, Geneva, Gorham, Rochester, Happiness House offers an array of educational, therapeutic, recreational, residential and family support programs and services for children and adults with and without disabilities. On average, Happiness House serves more than 1,150 families each year.

Our staff consists of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals and clinicians with expertise in the areas of Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Physical, Occupational, Speech and Music Therapies, Psychology, Service Coordination, Nursing and Developmental Disabilities.

Committed to serving individuals with autism, traumatic brain injury, neurological impairments, as well as a wide variety of developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, our staff partners with individuals and their families to support them in meeting their goals.

Job Description

Job Title: Residential Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Location: Gorham site

Pay Range:
For full/part time: $16.25 - $18.50
For substitutes and non drivers: $15.75 - $18.00

Reports to: Residential Supervisor & Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: This position may have a full-time, part time or relief schedule. Days and hours of work are determined for each vacancy and would typically include an evening or overnight shift.

Summary/Objective: Provides safety and supervision of all individuals focusing on fulfilling the Agency's Mission, Vision and Values and providing services which meet or exceed the goals of the individual, department and the agency.

Essential Functions:

1. Imparts agency philosophy of "Equal Opportunity, Independence and Realization of Individual Potential" to children, families, program staff and community resources.
2. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to individuals and their families in accordance with agency policy.
3. Provides oversight to ensure safety and supervision of residents. May be required to stay on-shift after hours should there be an emergency, weather hazard, or other unforeseen occurrence.
4. Provides assistance, training and supervision with various activities of daily living, helping each individual to improve their ability to live more independently, while addressing specific individualized outcomes as outlined on service plan.
5. Implements health-related and medication regimens for all consumers in accordance with policies and procedures. Implements behavior treatment plans as written, following documentation protocol as required.
6. Accompanies residents to off-site locations/activities, helping them to access and utilize community resources (i.e. grocery shopping, recreation, entertainment, medical appointments, banking, etc).
7. Assists residents with planning and accessing recreational and social activities.
8. Provides input regarding assessment and capabilities for team meetings/progress updates, etc. Attends meetings as requested.
9. Acts as a role model for program participants by interacting with others in a professional and respectful manner, dressing appropriately, and using good personal hygiene.
10. Maintains necessary documentation as required and per agency policies.
11. Communicates regularly with agency personnel to provide opportunities for exchange of information and discussion of concerns. Provides feedback to Supervisor regarding resident and/or facility concerns.
12. Assists residents in working toward achievement of their goals, while ensuring adherence to applicable Behavioral Support Plans.
13. Manages crisis situations per agency policies and procedures, contacting Administrator on-call as necessary.
14. Helps to ensure a positive appearance of the facility by assisting with site inspections, timely reporting of maintenance needs, performs general housekeeping and home maintenance activities, etc.
15. Creates opportunities for, and encourages individuals to make as many decisions as possible, ranging from basic choices, such as food and clothing, to long term planning of life goals.
16. Ensures individual care meets or exceeds established standards in areas including personal hygiene, grooming, feeding, care and respect for individual's belongings, room cleaning, and other daily living skills.
17. Provides emergency and first aid treatment, within their scope of training, as needed until relieved by other staff, a professional medical person, or other designated person.
18. Attends all departmental or other related meetings for those individuals assigned to him/her. Participates and acts as a contributing member in the development and maintenance of person-centered Res Hab plans. Implements and monitors Res Hab Plans as scheduled.
19. Participates in the team decision-making process and carries out decisions consistently.
20. Presents a positive and professional public image. Has a polite and professional interaction with individuals, families, staff, and members of the community.
21. Attends all required training and any other training as assigned by supervisor.
22. Participates in conferences, workshops and in-service training as needed or recommended to enhance job skills and personal growth and development.
23. Adheres to agency's policies and procedures as well as department guidelines.

Competency Requirements:

1. Individual/Client Focus.
2. Ethical Conduct.
3. Flexibility.
4. Initiative.
5. Personal Effectiveness/Credibility.
6. Teamwork Orientation.

Supervisory Responsibility: None.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment: This job operates in a residential setting.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds. See attached physical limitations.

Travel: Travel is primarily local during the business day, but employee may be expected to work at any of the residential houses.

Required Education and Experience:

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Experience working with special needs population preferred.
3. Valid and clean NYS driver's license.
4. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
5. Must obtain and maintain Medical Certification.
6. Ability to complete required training classes.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: None

The listed base pay range is a good faith representation of current potential base pay for successful applicants. It may be modified in the future. Pay is determined by factors including experience, relevant qualifications, internal equity, and location.

EEO Statement

The agencies are equal opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants in the hiring, promotion, compensation, placement, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence or any other term or condition of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation/identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, domestic violence victim status, prior arrest and conviction records or any other protected category in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Qualifications

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Experience working with special needs population preferred.
3. Valid and clean NYS driver's license.
4. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
5. Must obtain and maintain Medical Certification.
6. Ability to complete required training classes.

Additional Information

To complete an online application for employment please go to the following link: