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About the Role

The Direct Support Professional I (DSP-I) provides compassionate, person-centered support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in New Hope Community's Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) homes. DSPs assist individuals in leading safe, healthy, meaningful, and independent lives while respecting each person's dignity, preferences, rights, and goals. The DSP is much more than a caregiver; they are a teacher, mentor, advocate, coach, companion, and trusted member of each person's support team, helping to transform a house into a home where every individual has opportunities to grow, make choices, develop relationships, and participate fully in community life.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized supports that promote each person's independence, dignity, and quality of life.
• Develop meaningful, respectful relationships built on trust.
• Encourage independence in daily activities.
• Promote informed choice and self-advocacy.
• Assist individuals in achieving goals outlined in their Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
• Teach life skills through encouragement rather than simply performing tasks for individuals.
• Respect privacy, individuality, culture, beliefs, and personal preferences.
• Utilize positive behavior support techniques while maintaining a calm and respectful environment.
• Provide assistance with personal hygiene, bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting.
• Offer mobility assistance and transfers.
• Provide feeding assistance when necessary.
• Give medication reminders or administer medications as certified.
• Assist with meal planning, preparation, and encouraging healthy nutrition.
• Monitor health concerns and report changes in condition immediately.
• Assist individuals in maintaining a clean, safe, and comfortable home.
• Prepare nutritious meals.
• Assist with grocery shopping.
• Perform laundry services.
• Clean common living areas.
• Assist with bedroom organization as desired by the individual.
• Maintain household sanitation.
• Manage inventories.
• Assist individuals in caring for their personal belongings.
• Support budgeting and shopping skills when appropriate.
• Administer medications according to OPWDD regulations after certification.
• Accurately document medication administration.
• Monitor for medication side effects.
• Report medication concerns to nursing staff immediately.
• Maintain current Medication Administration Certification.
• Support individuals in attending medical appointments, shopping trips, restaurants, religious services, family visits, movies, parks, concerts, sporting events, community festivals, volunteer opportunities, vacations, and social gatherings.
• Encourage community participation while promoting dignity, inclusion, and safety.
• Safely transport individuals using agency vehicles when assigned Driver Status.
• Conduct required vehicle inspections.
• Follow defensive driving practices.
• Assist passengers entering and exiting vehicles safely.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation including daily progress notes, goal documentation, Medication Administration Records (MARs), Incident Reports, Accident Reports, Behavior documentation, Communication logs, Electronic Health Records, and required OPWDD documentation.
• Maintain a safe living environment by following infection control procedures.
• Recognize medical emergencies.
• Implement emergency evacuation procedures.
• Utilize SCIP interventions when appropriate.
• Report abuse, neglect, or significant incidents immediately.
• Maintain CPR, First Aid, SCIP, and required certifications.
• Maintain a clean and hazard-free home.
• Work collaboratively with House Managers, Assistant House Managers, Registered Nurses, Physicians, Therapists, Families, Care Coordinators, Day Program staff, and Fellow Direct Support Professionals.
• Participate in team meetings, shift communication, training, continuous quality improvement, and person-centered planning.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (unless enrolled in Associate DSP Program).
• Ability to complete all required OPWDD and New Hope Community training.
• Ability to obtain SCIP, CPR, First Aid, and Medication Administration Certification.
• Valid New York State Driver's License for Driver positions.
• Driving record acceptable under New Hope Community insurance standards.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities (preferred).
• Human Services, healthcare, education, or caregiving experience (preferred).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (preferred).

Skills

• Compassion
• Respect
• Integrity
• Patience
• Reliability
• Professionalism
• Emotional maturity
• Positive communication
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Sound judgment
• Accountability
• Problem-solving
• Commitment to lifelong learning

Location

• Residential homes

Work Type

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Evenings
• Weekends
• Holidays
• Overnight shifts

Experience Level

• Entry Level

Education Level

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate DSP Program

About the Company

• New Hope Community provides compassionate, respectful, person-centered supports that foster independence, inclusion, personal growth, and the highest possible quality of life.