Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

The Adolphus Group • Residential Services • Pennsylvania 6400 / 6100 Programs

Reports To

Residential Supervisor / Residential Coordinator

Career Pathway

DSP → Residential Supervisor Trainee → Residential Supervisor

Role Type

Frontline Direct Support Position

Position Summary

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at The Adolphus Group are trusted team members who provide hands-on, person-centered support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in licensed residential homes. Working within Pennsylvania's 6400 and 6100 regulatory frameworks, DSPs are responsible for promoting health, safety, dignity, independence, inclusion, and meaningful daily living.

This is a professional frontline role that requires consistency, accountability, emotional regulation, and adherence to clinical and compliance standards. DSPs help individuals achieve personal goals, follow structured routines, participate in community life, and receive support in a manner that preserves each person's rights, choice, privacy, and autonomy.

DSPs are expected to provide trauma-informed, person-centered, and equity-driven care while maintaining accurate documentation, participating in incident response and reporting, following individualized plans, and supporting compliance with DHS expectations.

Growth Pathway Note: DSPs who demonstrate professionalism, accountability, strong performance, sound judgment, and leadership potential may be considered for advancement into the Residential Supervisor Trainee Program and participation in the Residential Supervisor Academy.

Core Responsibilities

Daily Support & Personal Care

• Assist individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, mobility, and personal hygiene.
• Provide meal planning, preparation, dining support, and nutritional assistance based on ISP goals, preferences, and dietary needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and respectful living environment.
• Encourage independence, choice, community participation, and skill development whenever possible.

Service Implementation & Documentation

• Implement Individual Support Plans (ISPs), Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), Risk Mitigation Plans, and other approved support strategies.
• Accurately complete shift notes, data collection, progress tracking, communication logs, and incident reports within required timeframes.
• Document services provided, changes observed, and significant events in accordance with agency and regulatory expectations.
• Communicate relevant information to supervisors and team members to support continuity of care.

Health, Safety & Medication Administration

• Administer medications in accordance with Pennsylvania Medication Administration Program requirements and agency policy, when certified and authorized.
• Monitor and report changes in health, behavior, emotional well-being, psychiatric condition, or daily functioning.
• Support emergency drills, safety checks, risk mitigation strategies, and incident management procedures.
• Follow all health, safety, medication, and reporting protocols to support a safe residential environment.

Crisis Prevention & Trauma-Informed Response

• Use approved de-escalation, redirection, and support techniques consistent with trauma-informed care practices.
• Respond to behavioral, emotional, or environmental crises with professionalism, calm judgment, and care.
• Preserve individual dignity, rights, privacy, choice, and autonomy at all times.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical care standards in all interactions.

Professionalism & Team Collaboration

• Attend required trainings, staff meetings, supervision sessions, and professional development activities.
• Maintain confidentiality, healthy boundaries, and ethical standards of care.
• Communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, healthcare professionals, families, and other members of the support team as appropriate.
• Demonstrate reliability, accountability, professionalism, and positive teamwork during all assigned shifts.

Core Competencies

• Person-centered thinking and respectful support
• Professional communication and teamwork
• Documentation accuracy and timeliness
• Emotional regulation and crisis response
• Safety awareness and compliance mindset
• Accountability, reliability, and sound judgment

Growth & Development Opportunities

The Adolphus Group is committed to developing future residential leaders. DSPs who demonstrate strong performance, professionalism, accountability, reliability, and leadership potential may be considered for advancement into the Residential Supervisor Trainee Program and participation in the Residential Supervisor Academy. Successful completion of the Academy prepares employees for advancement into residential leadership positions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver's license preferred or required based on assigned location needs.
• Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting, transferring, standing, and assisting individuals with mobility needs.
• Ability to successfully complete required onboarding, annual training, and certification requirements, including fire safety, individual rights, trauma-informed care, CPR, First Aid, and Medication Administration when applicable.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Prior experience in human services, direct care, behavioral health, healthcare, or a related field preferred but not required.

Work Environment

This role involves direct, physical, and emotionally engaged care work within licensed residential homes. Shifts may include mornings, evenings, overnights, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage as needed. The environment may include individuals with complex medical, behavioral, or psychiatric needs. Staff must be prepared to respond to emergencies, follow plans with fidelity, collaborate with the support team, and maintain professionalism in a dynamic residential setting.

Compensation & Benefits

Paid Time Off: 64 hours annually, including 40 vacation hours and 24 sick hours.
Holiday Pay: The Adolphus Group observes 8 paid holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting Day 1.
Growth: Paid training, internal promotion pathways, and leadership development opportunities.

Pay Frequency

Employees are paid weekly. Payroll runs on “A Week” Fridays and covers two weeks of work. A full pay calendar will be provided during onboarding.

Job Code

2000-(001-004)

Before You Start

Employment with The Adolphus Group is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States, completion of all onboarding paperwork in iSolved, completion of required background checks and clearances as applicable, and agreement to company policies and standards of conduct.