Direct Support Professional

General Purpose

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) supports people who have intellectual / developmental disabilities and / or autism spectrum disorder to increase their independence, daily living skills, and empowers them to obtain their goals. A DSP uses person‑centered thinking and approaches to provide daily support to people in decision making, community integration, and in obtaining paid employment.

Uphold the values and mission of Goodwill and OPWDD by understanding, implementing and maintaining all policies and procedures, including safety and documentation as well as fulfilling regular training requirements.

Embody the NYS Direct Support Professional Code of Ethics and Core Competencies.

Support each person in achieving their individualized goals by providing supports detailed in each person’s Staff Action Plan and Life Plan.

Assist in the preparation of each person’s Life Plan, Staff Action Plan, and attend team meetings as needed.

Monitor and document services provided & progress toward goals ensuring that all documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner during shift.

Work as part of the team to ensure participants receive seamless services provision and are engaged in person‑centered activities throughout the day.

Engage participants in community exploration and inclusion by providing participants with person‑centered opportunities and daily choice.

Plan and run appropriate group activities that meet funding source requirements.

Accompany participants to volunteer sites and activities in the community and support them as they complete tasks at volunteer and internship sites.

Accompany participants to buy metro cards and support them in traveling safely on public transportation daily.

Monitor participant’s safety as they arrive and while they are waiting for their transportation at the end of each day.

Follow Medicaid, state funding source, and agency guidelines and regulations when providing and documenting services.

Support participants by pushing their wheelchair for short periods of time such as when the participant needs assistance getting over a curb, the platform gap, and into a train, or if they are tired and need a short break.

Follow safety protocols to foster a safe working environment and report unsafe conditions, environment, and equipment to Supervisor. Observe participants for evidence of injury or bruises and evaluate for changes in emotional and physical status and complete any applicable incident reporting.

Support participants in managing their behavior, intervene as appropriate, and inform supervisor.

Advocate for the people we support and ensure their rights are protected.

Document all program data, including but not limited to: participant services, behavior plan data, community integration logs, assessments, petty cash, metro card distribution, maintenance requests forms, and supply acquisition forms.

Represent Goodwill in a professional manner to families, community partners, and all others.

Work assigned schedules, including but not limited to: arriving and departing on time, requesting time off in advance, and notifying supervisor of changes to assigned work schedule and location.

Perform other related duties as requested.

Provides coverage in multiple locations throughout each week based on programmatic needs.

A DSP Van Driver is also responsible for safely driving and escorting program attendees, in an accessible 12‑passenger van, to/from home and program, transporting groups to activities during the day, and delivering supplies between program sites.

Maintains daily communication with program participants, their families, and program staff regarding pick‑up and drop‑off times, route notifications, and issues/concerns.

Transports program groups to/from activity locations in the five boroughs during the program day.

Maintains schedules and ensures participants and groups arrive at destinations on time.

Assists riders as needed when entering and exiting the vehicle.

Operates vehicle in accordance with Agency Safety Rules, OSHA (Occupational and Safety Health Act), and OPWDD Office of People with Developmental Disabilities…