Our Direct Support Professionals are the heart of the WSC team, so we ensure they are offered ample training.
We go well beyond compliance to cultivate an environment of learning and growth.New Hire Orientation
Staff complete initial training in several areas:
- The people we support – Intellectual Disability overview, building relationships and community membership, positive behavior supports, Proactive Approaches to Behavioral Challenges, documentation skills.
- Rights of the individuals we support – Human rights, mandated reporting of abuse and neglect, confidentiality, and HIPAA.
- Human resources overview – Worker safety/OSHA, preventing sexual harassment and violence in the workplace, cultural diversity, union orientation.
- Health and safety – Fire safety, emergency procedures and COOP, infectious disease control, vital signs, nutrition, observing signs and symptoms of illness, defensive driver training, Red Cross CPR and First Aid, and Medication Administration Program.
A substantial portion of our orientation is available online, but several courses have a live component for skills or discussion.
Once staff have completed their general orientation, they advance to their assigned program site and complete job shadowing and training specific to the individuals they support.
Our training is comprehensive, including modules on:
Human Services and Professionalism
Empowering Individuals
Communication
Assessment and Behavior
Community Supports and Service Networking
Supporting Skill Development
Advocacy
Vocational, Educational and Career Support
Crisis Prevention and Intervention
Documentation
Health and Safety
Our staff have many ongoing training opportunities – both review of earlier learning, and new topics that match program needs or professional goals.
For more information about our employees’ learning and development, please contact Michael Santasieri, Director of Quality Assurance and Training: msantasieri@wscinc.org; 617.629.3552.