Direct Support Professional

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Job Summary: A Direct Support Professional (DSP) plays a vital role in providing direct care and support 

to client with intellectual disabilities and chronic mental illness. They provide support with 

daily living activities, promote community involvement, ensure health and safety along with 

client personal growth in accordance with the Person Center Service Plan (PCSP). The DSP 

will document service progress and communicate with their immediate supervisor about any 

progress, concerns, etc. and must satisfy schedule according to offer letter. The DSP entails 

a high degree of accountability and consequence of error. Ability to stay in close and timely 

communication with others is crucial.

Responsible To: HCBS Supervisor 

Responsible For: Individuals accessing residential and hourly services 

Essential Job Functions:

Compliance:

• Supervise, train, and/or assist clients with disabilities in all phases of daily living to explore and achieve the goals established in the Person Center Service Plan (PCSP). 
• Schedule medical/mental health appointments for respective clients, and coordinate transportation as needed. 
• Complete documentation related to services provided including seizure logs, petty cash sheets, incident reports, relevant checklists, individual’s progress on goals, activities, responses, interactions, staff support needed, within 24 hours of service delivery. 
• Make sure that client documentation is accurate when submitted the first time.
• Follow established processes for completing weekly household tasks, menu as assigned by a supervisor, cleaning, etc.
• Assist clients with appointments, personal cares (hygiene support, feeding), shopping, community activities, etc. as needed – including transportation. 
• Remain actively involved with the client(s) throughout the duration of your shift, encouraging participation in leisure activities. 
• Complete hourly verification forms during each visit.
• Develop a weekly schedule that honors client choice and need while minimizing indirect time. Schedules must be approved by supervisor weekly.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality always. 
• Complete and maintain regulatory requirements for HCBS services. 
• Report all med passes on Medication Administration Record (MAR) and report discrepancies to on-call or HCBS supervisor. 
• Be informed of and capable of handling emergencies such as clients' behavior issues, medical situations, evacuations, etc. and ensure that only non-aversive behavior management techniques are used as outlined in the behavior plans and report all incidents of suspected client’s rights violations. 
• Assist the clients to ensure a clean and safe environment. 
• Ensure that safety standards are adhered to and proper action is taken to correct any violations including immediate communication involving potential health and safety risks. 

Training:

• Complete all orientation, mandatory staff training, and other required coursework as established by agency policy, licensing standards, or supervisory direction.
• Apply knowledge and skills gained from training to daily work responsibilities, ensuring compliance with agency procedures and best practices.

Quality & Excellence:

• Strive to uphold the agency’s mission by providing the highest standards of care and professionalism in all interactions with clients and staff. 
• Perform duties with excellence and accuracy, follow supervisor guidance and maintain a client-centered approach focused on quality, respect, and professionalism.

Professionalism & Respect:

• Maintain a professional appearance and work effectively with people. 
• Demonstrate role modeling, respect and active listening while taking clients in the community.
• Demonstrate understanding of First Resources Corp. policies on code of conduct and code of ethics. 
• Treat clients and co-workers with dignity and respect.
• Adhere to the agency’s Code of Ethics and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients and colleagues.
• Accept feedback with a growth mindset and consistently treat others with respect, courtesy and fairness.

Dependability/Attendance:

• Follow and work the schedule agreed upon with supervisor.
• Demonstrate punctuality, arrive on time for work and meetings.
• Maintain regular attendance and engagement at scheduled staff meetings.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance, adhering to established agency requirements to ensure continuity of services and operational efficiency. 
• Demonstrate reliability by consistently meeting attendance standards and reporting to work as scheduled.

Advocacy/Relationship:

• Advocate and offer choice that supports individual rights and responsibilities.
• Provide a welcoming experience for parents/guardians, volunteers, and other contacts. 
• Build strong, respectful connections with clients and staff by communicating at their level of understanding and using active listening and appropriate body language.
• Advocate effectively for clients, staff, and other stakeholders while maintaining positive rapport with clients, families, vendors, and colleagues. 

Communication Skills:

• Check agency email at least once per schedule shift.
• Actively participate in/initiates communication with all internal/external parties so services for clients are not interrupted due to lack of proper coordination. 
• Demonstrate clear, organized, and effective written and verbal communication in all interactions.
• Communicate respectfully, actively listen, and exhibit strong comprehension skills.

Initiative & Flexibility:

• Perform other related duties as required to accomplish the objectives of the position, as assigned.
• On occasion, be able to work from different locations (site homes, offices, or share co-working space).
• Demonstrate open-mindedness with new technology and other processes that may be implemented by First Resources Corp.
• Willingly step in to support colleagues and assist with team needs, contributing to the overall success of the team and agency.
• Adapt to changing priorities and circumstances with flexibility while maintaining quality and efficiency in work performance.

Cooperation/Commitment/Teamwork:

• Assist in objectively evaluating clients’ skills through input requested during regular site/staff meetings. 
• Approach challenges with a positive and constructive attitude.
• Build and maintain respectful, productive relationships using strong interpersonal relationships skills.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with all team members and partners.

Skills and Qualifications

• Written and verbal communication skills 
• Reporting skills 
• Supply management 
• Scheduling 
• Computer software skills including Microsoft Office 
• Organization skills 
• Time management skills 
• Presentation skills 
• Office equipment maintenance 

Requirements:

Qualifications/Requirements:

• High school education or equivalent; experience working with people with disabilities preferred. 
• Must possess bask knowledge of computers and computer-based programs.
• Satisfactory results on background checks pertaining to criminal and abuse registries. 
• Able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds without restrictions. 
• Successfully complete all new hire orientation checklist.
• Satisfactory attend all required trainings by agency.
• Successfully complete the established medication administration training and observe pass medications accordingly.
• Must have access to a telephone.
• Must have valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and personal auto insurance as required by the State of Iowa and be insurable under the company’s insurance.