DSP - Shift Leader

Division: 

Residential

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Wage Grade:

6

Summary of Duties

The shift leader provides leadership and supervision to the direct care staff in the residential facility. The shift leader ensures that residential habilitation plans are implemented, progress is monitored, and direct support professionals provide proper support to the individuals at their site in accordance with the DSP Code of Ethics. They also play a key role in overseeing the implementation of behavior support plans, the HCBS Waiver initiative, and community activities.

Reports to:

IRA Manager

Job Responsibilities:

Supervision

·Provide direct supervision to DSP staff during shifts, ensuring they follow established protocols, procedures and implement program goals.

·Offer ongoing support and guidance to DSPs, addressing any questions or concerns they may have.

·Assists with staffing needs and staff assignments

·Assisting training sessions for new DSPs

·Participates in the Administrator on-call (AOC) system and off-hour visits to sites.

·Collaborate with supervisors and management to address systemic issues or recurring challenges within the program

·Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors and/or senior management

Puts People First

·Supports a person’s unique capacities and personality and potential

oDemonstrates respect for all individuals being supported

oDemonstrates support for individual choice making in order to enhance confidence and assertiveness

·Gets to know the person through assessment/discovery

oEvaluates the ways in which past and current events and environmental factors, affect the way the person acts/reacts to others

oUses a holistic approach to participate in the individual’s life planning activities and assists in their implementation

oEncourages and supports problem-solving and coping skills

oStays informed about formal and informal assessment and is able to conduct informal assessments in a variety of settings to gain information regarding the individual and his/her response to the environment

oSupports the self-direction of services

·Promotes advocacy with the individual

oProvides opportunities for the individual to be a self-advocate

oPerforms advocate responsibilities while demonstrating respect for the processes and people involved

oDescribes and supports individuals’ rights

oIdentifies when an individual’s rights may have been breached and takes action to prevent, stop and report the possible breach

·Facilitates personal growth and development

oDemonstrates ability to effectively teach skills to people supported

oRecognizes the individuals need for teaching and preferred style for learning and can perform individualized teaching based on this information

oAssess the effectiveness of formal and informal teaching provided and makes adaptations where needed.

·Facilitates supports and services

oAssists in the development, implementation and on-going evaluation of service plans that are based on the individual’s preferences, needs, and interests

oContinuously shares observations, insights, and recommendations with the individual and his/her support team

Builds and Maintains Positive Relationships

·Builds and maintains relationships

oSupports individuals to overcome barriers and challenges to establishing and maintaining a network of relationships and valued social roles

oDemonstrates the ability to identify the individual’s personal strengths, interests and needed supports for community involvement

·Creates meaningful communication

oUses a range of effective communication strategies and skills to establish a collaborative relationship with the person

oDSP modifies own communication to ensure understanding and respect

oDevelops trust by communicating empathetically

oRecognizes the impact of the possible discrepancies between the individual’s chronological age and developmental age when communicating

Demonstrates Professionalism

·Demonstrates Professionalism

§Demonstrates respect in all professional relationships

·Exhibits professional behavior

§Demonstrates the following desirable professional qualities in the worksite: professional demeanor, attention to punctuality and attendance policies, reliability, flexibility, and pleasantness

·Shows respect for diversity and inclusion

§Demonstrates respect in all matters relating to diversity and inclusion

§Demonstrates the awareness, attitude, knowledge and skills (i.e. cultural competence) required to provide effective support to those we serve from any particular ethnic, racial, sexual orientation, religion, gender, socio-economic, age or disability group, as well as any other component diversity groups

·Creates meaningful documentation records

§Maintains accurate records by collecting, compiling, evaluating data and submitting it in a timely manner to the appropriate sources

·Education, training, and self-development activities

§Demonstrates enthusiasm for learning the knowledge and skills required to perform the job

§Readily seeks and accepts feedback to improve performance

§Applies knowledge and skills gained to the job

·Organizational participation

§Adheres to and promotes the mission, culture and practices of the organization

§Participates in the work of the organization in a positive way by using problem solving skills

§Adheres to corporate compliance policies and procedures

·Exhibits ethical behavior on the job

§Knows, understands, and follows the NADSP Code of Ethics

Supports Good Health

·Promotes positive behavior and supports

§Demonstrates effective methods to teach positive behaviors and support existing positive behaviors

§Assesses strategies to evaluate how environmental factors affect behavior

·Supports health and wellness

§Demonstrates and assists in nutritious meal planning and food preparation, storage, and handling procedures

§Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of an individual’s medical, physical, psychological, and dental health care needs

§Demonstrates knowledge of and uses accepted methods to prevent illness and disease, and teaches prevention methods to the individual.

§Recognizes and responds in a timely manner to signs and symptoms of illness/injury and medical emergencies

§Provides a safe and clean environment for the individual based on skill level and risks. Addresses immediate health, safety, and cleanliness concerns immediately upon discovery.

§Accurately documents and adequately protects all health information

§Understands and can implement daily health practices to support good health

·Prevents, recognizes, and reports abuse

§Recognizes concepts related to the prevention of abuse

§Is able to prevent abuse

§Correctly follows procedures for mandated reporting and responding

§Immediately reports all possible incidents to appropriate people upon discovery.

Supports Safety

·Supports crisis prevention, intervention, and resolution

§Demonstrates skill in applying the principles and practices of the OPWDD PROMOTE (Positive Relationships Offer More Opportunities to Everyone) competencies and individual-specific Behavior Support Plan.

§Demonstrates respect for the safety of all others

·Supports safety

§Supports the safety of all individuals in everyday situations

§Follows proper safety procedures in transportation situations

·Ensures safety of individuals during environmental emergencies

§Understands and can carry out plans for responding to environmental emergencies

Is Active and Productive in Society

·Supports active participation in the community

§Supports community participation and contribution

·Performs other duties as assigned

Skills and Abilities

·Possess good time management skills

·Ability and desire to work as part of an interdisciplinary team

·Ability to work independently in the community with a group of individuals receiving services

·Moderate level of written and oral communication skills

·High level of interpersonal skills

·Knowledge of behavioral techniques and developmental disabilities to assist in the care of individuals receiving services

·Knowledge of computer and ability to utilize various software programs

·Successful completion of First Aid, CPR, UKERU, and Defensive Driving upon hire is required.

Education Requirements:

Minimum: High school diploma/GED, a valid clean NYS driver’s license

Preferred: One year experience in health and human services related field with experience with individuals with disabilities.

Must successfully pass background checks

Flexible to work overtime, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays when necessary