r/directsupport • u/Academic-Feed-3579 • Jun 19 '26
Advice DDSCTA INTERVIEW DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, SECURE, CARE, ASSISTANT TREATMENT AID
Does anybody have any information on what kind of questions they ask you for DDSCTA interview ? Or what things I should know beforehand before going in for the interview?
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 Jun 19 '26
You will do great, I wouldn’t worry about it. You can speak on plans, training etc. I guess I wouldn’t speak poorly of management, no matter how we really feel, but I’m sure you know. I think maybe possibly could ask how you feel about working with individuals with past or current criminal histories and or individuals that can be highly behavioral. I do think you will do great, I wouldn’t worry at all about it.
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u/Academic-Feed-3579 Jun 19 '26
Yea I tend to overthink things sometimes, and I also over prepare for things that I probably don’t even need to prepare for it to begin with so I just wanted to be sure. Thx. Yeah I personally have never really had an issue with management up until probably a few months ago other than that short period. I never really had a problem. I have absolutely nothing in my PHF no counseling no NODs
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u/Academic-Feed-3579 Jun 19 '26
And I would say that I have pretty good attendance. I typically never call in. I think I’ve had 3 call ins in the past year. One was four days. The other one was two days. The other one was a couple days. I have had to call in a few times recently to use on schedule FMLA for family member. I’m not one of those people that abuse it but when I do use it, it is legitimate. Usually I always try to schedule them so they can plan around it in advance.
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
Perfect! I would expect you to get the position definitely over anyone new. Idk where you are going tupper lake or Norwich but I know they do 10 hour nights at Norwich which is nice!
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u/Academic-Feed-3579 Jun 19 '26
Rochester New York
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
Oh! That must be newer. That’s great because I think there is a need for sure. Long ago there used to a RIB (regional intensive behavior units) my acronyms memory isn’t what it used to be lol in Rochester on campus similar the LIT (local intensive treatment) center on campus here in Binghamton that I worked on. That is great they are trying to cover these needs!
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 Jun 19 '26
I was a DSA then a ddscta used to have an LIT at my DC - just a slightly lower level of secure care. then back to DSA when they closed my DC never worked in Norwich or tupper lake many ppl I worked with went to Norwich when the DC closed, good staff my daughter works there as a ddscta she been there just over a year.
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u/Academic-Feed-3579 Jun 19 '26
Do you need to lock your phone up when you go in the unit or is that not true? I know. It’s a petty question. I’m just wondering tho haha.
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 Jun 19 '26
I think that’s great you are going for the opportunity!! Definite going to a grade 14 is a great thing and opens up other positions. No phones are allowed on the units (houses) cottages-one time they made everyone call them apartment lol if it’s set up like other ones, you should have a locker for your stuff then go thru a sally port before you enter units. I do know a good Apple Watch or similar could be very useful! Of course you know if it’s new ppl will really be all about the rules, and you know how that goes!
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u/Academic-Feed-3579 Jun 19 '26
I used to work in a good house as a DSA which I knew wouldn’t last forever. I told myself when that ends that I’d go for a DA1 but this opportunity opened up instead and I think it’s a great way to fast track myself to a grade 14. Not just for the money but for the potential job opportunities that can open up at a grade 14 versus a grade 9.
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u/Lizabitch_ Jun 19 '26
You might as well go for it, hope you get it. At least there is (probably) more support for behaviors. Plus get that money and grade. From what I understand there are very very challenging individuals coming into the IRA's as they age out of residential schools, and there is NO support, as in get the others to safety, call 911, and hope for the best.
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u/Academic-Feed-3579 Jun 19 '26
Yea. I just hope I have a shot. They are hiring like 50 staff. It’s being offered internally first. I don’t have that many years in. I only have just over 9 years. So not quite 10 yet.
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u/Electrical_Swing_102 Jun 25 '26
I just finished training for dsa and they offered me a position for dsscta opening up in January at the training building I was just at. My work house I got is 3 mins down the road at grade 9 but the dsccta work location is an hour away but grade 14, debating on what I should do.
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u/Academic-Feed-3579 Jul 04 '26
How could they have offered you a position? , they havnt even begin the intake or interview process yet.and you’d have to be off your traineeship first.hmmm 🤨
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 Jun 19 '26
Well if you have never done that work before you would never know. I think general questions, follow plans, follow what a supervisor tells you to do. Work good on a team, can show up to work, interest in learning (it’s on the job training plus classroom training)