Direct Support Professional - DSP NJ
Company: YAI
Location: New York City
Posted on: January 23, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description If you are a current YAI
employee, please click this link to apply through your Workday
account. About the Position: YAI promotes a person-centered
approach by creating supports that cater to the specific needs of
each person. Under supervision of the Program Supervisor, Direct
Support Professionals (DSPs) provide direct support to individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), assisting
with activities of daily living (ADLs) including intimate and
personal care, teaching daily and independent living skills,
providing individual and group counseling and promoting community
integration. DSPs ensure the harmonious and safe daily conduct of
the individuals in assigned program(s), and the overall care and
well-being in accordance with YAI guidelines, ensuring safety and
health of individuals at all times. DSPs work directly with people
in their home, work, community and daily life in varying
capacities. Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities: Assists
individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and
abilities, upholding their personal rights, displaying patience and
tolerance while providing emotional support and building positive
relationships. Supports people to meet personal goals that
characterize quality of life, engages in respectful communications
and conversations through person-first language, encourages
socializing and facilitates activities that provide social capital
and connections to the community. Responsible for the overall
supervision, protection, and care of individuals at all times
including maintenance of program guidelines for the protection of
individuals, facilitating learning and training in fire safety and
identifying and appropriately escalating signs of an individual’s
potential harm to self or others. Ensures health, wellness and
safety by providing appropriate supervision of the people we
support and by managing crisis situations while adhering to
applicable policies, procedures and regulations. Provides support
in a variety of settings and in accordance with each person’s
individualized service and behavior support plans, utilizing
support skills for people with varying levels of need and
demonstrating the DDD Standards. Ensures implementation of
person-centered, individualized plans following levels of
supervision and safeguards including Behavior Support Plans (BSPs),
Individualized Service Plans (ISPs), Staff Action and/or Life Plans
for all people we support, understanding the intentions and goals
of the plans. Maintains a clean, safe and organized therapeutic
environment. Utilizes safe and appropriate handing procedures when
working with individuals and implements infection control
protocols. Assists with a variety of tasks for people we support,
as appropriate/authorized, including: Providing personal care and
assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) including intimate
care and personal hygiene (e.g. bathing, dressing, and toileting),
laundry and housekeeping. Teaching/developing habilitative and
rehabilitative skills. Supporting person-centered advocacy with the
individuals. Assisting in communication, self-expression and
resolving disputes amongst individuals. Facilitating ethical
decision making. Providing supervision for and/or planning and
preparing balanced meals and snacks for people we support in
accordance with dietary restrictions and guidelines of specific
individuals, including for modified diets or liquid consistencies.
Transporting and escorting individuals on recreational activities,
medical appointments, home visits, volunteer and/or employment
sites; actively participates in establishment and/or creation of
schedules for, volunteer opportunities, community and/or
therapeutic activities for program. Assisting people with making
purchases, as well as safeguarding personal allowance funds and any
additional funds provided. Ensures that medication is administered
as prescribed, in accordance with applicable guidelines. Assists
with medication inventory, including medication cabinet checks and
over-the-counter (OTC) inventory, performing within applicable
timeframes and reordering medication and/or supplies, as needed.
Assists with scheduling of medical appointments for people
supported and ensures that follow-up appointments are scheduled and
attended in a timely manner. Appropriately utilizes petty cash and
house funds, including store cards, obtaining and maintaining
documentation or receipts for purchases in accordance with
applicable rules in coordination with supervisor. Operates agency
vehicle to transport individuals to and/or from programs,
residences, community or other locations on a regular basis and
updates related logs and maintenance sheets, coordinating
appointments with supervisor. Develops an understanding of
specialized clinical knowledge for person specific needs
(supporting adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum
disorders, complex medical needs). Implements Behavior Support
Plan/Behavior Guidelines and Protocols as specified in applicable
plans. Collects, records, and summarizes data on individuals’
observable behavior. Observes and reports any changes in behavior,
or other signs and symptoms, to clinical and/or leadership team.
Communicates by phone, email and/or in person with circles of
support, including families and external providers, to provide
updates and/or obtain information, as directed by clinical or
program leadership. Serves as a member of a highly effective team
(teamwork within the circle of support), providing feedback and
communicating programmatic needs to members of team and maintaining
a solution-oriented approach during conflicts. Completes and
maintains all necessary trainings and certifications, including
specialized trainings based on program and position to ensure
compliance with YAI policies and all applicable rules or
regulations and applies skills. Reviews communication logs daily
and makes entries of events, progress notes, services and/or
information; ensures all pertinent information is communicated
between members of the team and/or shifts using prescribed in-house
communication systems and collects and enters data as part of daily
operations using an electronic health record and/or medication
record (e.g. Digital Agency (DA)). Reviews and completes all other
required paperwork and documentation to ensure compliance and/or
billing completely, accurately and within appropriate timeframes
(e.g., notifications, logging, incident reports, update files,
maintenance requests, phone calls, and tracking of incidents). Uses
foundational teaching skills (Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate
[EMOE], task analysis, essential skills, supports and
modifications, etc.) and progressive teaching. Understands behavior
as communication and employs person-centered thinking to support
positive interactions and prevent further escalation. Reports
maintenance, upkeep and safety concerns observed at YAI facilities
to Program Supervisor or appropriate designee. Consults with
program leadership, clinical and other direct support staff to
ensure streamlined and top-quality care for individuals and attends
and actively participates in team meetings. Utilizes/demonstrates
approved YAI and NJ DDD training techniques (i.e. verbal,
environmental, and physical interventions, including take downs) to
respond timely and appropriately to challenging and/or
self-injurious behavior, ensuring the health and safety of the
people we support, self and others. Regularly provides support
and/or coverage in a variety of settings and programs across
assigned region and/or service delivery settings, including
assisting at off-site locations (e.g. hospital) based on needs of
program and/or individuals supported and remaining on shift or
reporting to another program to maintain minimum coverage levels.
May participate in the development of treatment plans. Complies
with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency
requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA). Performs all other duties, as assigned.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of
age. HS diploma or its educational equivalent; and Must hold or
obtain and maintain valid Driver’s License with no more than five
(5) points. Ability to meet essential physical demands of position
including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting,
stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with
hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools
or controls; assisting with lifting/moving individuals of any
weight with assistance of mechanical lifts or other equipment
and/or pushing individuals in wheelchairs; lifting and/or moving up
to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with
and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Behavior
Support Plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of
any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other
staff. Effective written and oral communication skills including
the ability to appropriately document services provided for billing
and tracking purposes. Enthusiasm for working with people with
I/DD, willingness to take initiative and ability to demonstrate
positivity, patience and empathy and compassion in all
interactions. Ability and willingness to assist with a variety of
supports and ADLs as requested, including regular exposure to and
handling of various bodily fluids. Basic computer skills –
including email, utilizing Workday and related systems (DA, etc.)
to complete tasks. Must hold or obtain and maintain certifications
and trainings as required by program assignment and persons
supported including, but not limited to Non-Crisis Invention
training, American Heart Association CPR/First Aid certification,
NJ Medication Administration certification and Positive Behavior
Supports training as scheduled by supervisor or designee, within
120 days of appointment. Ability to develop and maintain
professional relationships in alignment with YAI’s mission and
vision. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and work in
a high energy, fast-paced environment. Ability to work beyond
regularly scheduled hours/shift and/or to report to work as
scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather or during other
emergencies to maintain minimum coverage requirements of program,
unless otherwise authorized. Preferred Qualification Requirements
(desired requirements beyond MQRs above) Work or life experience
supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD),
clinical syndromes and/or I/DD with cooccurring behavioral/mental
health needs. Schedule: Full-time, part-time, weekday and/or
weekend positions available - including morning , evening, and
overnight schedules. Benefits: DailyPay available - Work today, get
paid today ! Tuition reimbursement Medical and dental insurance -
with options for family and more extensive medical plans, as well
as vision (for Full time positions) Paid vacation, holiday, and
sick time (depending on time type) 403(b) retirement with employer
matching contributions Life insurance and long-term disability
Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping,
and more. Check out our benefits page to learn more! Compensation:
$18.50/hour to $19.25/hour All qualified applicants will receive
consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national
origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled
veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Keywords: YAI, Perth Amboy , Direct Support Professional - DSP NJ, Social Services , New York City, New Jersey
