POSITION SUMMARY
The primary role of the Lead Direct Support Professional (DSP)/Shift Lead, on their assigned shift, is to guide and lead the DSPs as they work alongside the people we support to help them achieve their personal outcomes in relation to vocational training. This includes working with people supported to develop daily living, professional, social, and informed decision-making skills while also supporting their health and safety. This role requires the ability to speak, read, and write in English at a level sufficient to successfully complete required training, understand and follow support plans, communicate with care teams and providers, accurately document services and patient information, and to comply with health and safety standards.
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Works with the people we support to help them identify and realize their personal life goals.
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Advocates with the people we support in a variety of situations.
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Works with the people we support to teach them new life skills.
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Works in partnership with the people we support to promote their health and safety.
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Assists the people we support to overcome barriers and challenges to establishing and maintaining a network of relationships and valued social roles.
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Works with the people we support and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop service plans that aid the person in achieving their personal life goals.
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Provides positive behavior support to the people we support as necessary.
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Prevents, recognizes and reports abuse toward the people we support.
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Accurately documents service provision, daily notes and other information as required.
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Promotes and supports community involvement for the people we support.
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Transports clients in a company vehicle to locations in the community to assist with adhering to staff action plans.
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Performs healthcare-related tasks, such as medication administration, when needed.
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Performs and assigns directives and essential daily tasks as instructed by the Manager; ensures completion of all assigned tasks
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Communicates with the Manager regarding any crisis situations or events occurring at the day program/residence and follows through with any directives given.
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Provides support and training to all Direct Support Professionals to ensure a proper orientation of employees to the work environment.
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Ensures all services are provided as outlined in the individual’s service plan, and that all documentation is completed contemporaneously.
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Communicates with the people we support, family members, community representatives, and external providers in a professional, respectful manner.
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Ensures that the residence/day/vocational program, including the external property, is clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing at all times.
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Provides ongoing protective oversight to individuals living in the residence/attending day program.
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Reports all violations and/or accidents in agency vehicle in accordance with New York State regulations and agency policy.
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Follows OSHA regulations, and ensures all staff follow OSHA regulations, including universal precautions.
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Participates in life plan or interdisciplinary team meetings as requested or assigned
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Ensures that all required documentation (paper and electronic) is completed/processed appropriately, in a timely manner, and meets quality and compliance thresholds.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Additional Essential Functions for Lead Residential DSP:
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Administers bedside or personal care, such as ambulation or personal hygiene assistance.
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Cares for individuals during periods of incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care, or help in adjusting to new lifestyles.
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Performs housekeeping duties, such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes or dishes, or running errands.
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Plans, shops for, or prepares nutritious meals or assists individuals in planning, shopping for, or preparing nutritious meals.
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Coordinates staffing when callouts occur on assigned shift to ensure minimum supervision levels are met.
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Ensures medical and clinical appointments and follow up care is coordinated, scheduled and received within required timeframes.
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Ensures proper use and maintenance of household equipment and appliances.
Additional Essential Functions for Lead Vocational DSP:
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Creates and implements training programs and curriculum that assists individuals in learning skills to prepare for employment.
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Leads and facilitates training programs that teach individuals employment skills in applicable areas such as building maintenance or office/administrative support.
Responsibilities of All FREE Employees
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Always communicates in a respectful manner with all people including the people we support, supervisors, other valued team members, and members of the community.
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Complies fully with FREE’s confidentiality policies by holding in strictest confidence all information pertaining to members, residents, the people we support and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
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Meets all safety training requirements; adheres to all safety policies and reports any and all unsafe conditions; takes measures to prevent accidents and/or eliminate conditions that pose a safety or health risk.
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Coordinates, supports, attends and participates in all required events/ meetings/ reviews/ committees, including ones outside of standard working hours.
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Meets all job requirements and stays in compliance.
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Adheres to FREE’s standard of ethical behavior as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct as well as applicable laws and regulations.
Please note the above duties, responsibilities, and essential functions are a non-exhaustive list, and may be changed by FREE at any time, with or without notice to the employee.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Education:
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High school diploma or equivalent required
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Experience:
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Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing direct supports to individuals with disabilities
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Specialized Training, Licenses, Certifications:
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Must have valid SCIP and CPR/FA certifications (provided upon hire if needed)
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Valid AMAP certification required (must obtain within 120 days of hire)
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Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities:
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Proficient computer skills preferred
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Functional proficiency in spoken and written English
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Proficient writing skills with grasp of basic grammar and spelling
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Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keeping others informed and anticipating needs is essential
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Must be efficient, well organized, and have excellent communication skills
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Other Requirements:
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18 years of age or older
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Valid driver’s license and ability to satisfy criteria to be an agency driver required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role is performed in-person; travel will be required
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
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Employee is required to sit, walk and stand for prolonged period of time (at least 8 hours).
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Employee is required to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
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Employee is required to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax and filing cabinets.
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Employee is required to reach with hands and arms.
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Employee is required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch or stand on a stool as needed.
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Employee is required to be able to lift 50 pounds at a time.
Notwithstanding the above listed physical requirements of this position, FREE will provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to perform the essential functions of the position, provided such reasonable accommodations do not cause undue hardship on FREE.