Direct Support Professional 1 (DSP 1)- Department

Bridgewell strengthens communities by providing an unmatched range of social and human services that empower people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed, and productive lives. Bridgewell delivers support through community housing, day programs, outpatient treatment, recovery services, education, and employment training. We're committed to helping people in need, from those with autism to people with substance use disorders, become engaged members of their communities. Bridgewell is also the industry leader in developing innovative offerings responding to unmet or emerging needs.

Our employees take pride in making everyday count to its fullest. They are committed to adding value to the lives of the people we support, and they bring energy, ideas, and a passion for service. Does this describe you? Then please consider joining our incredible team!

Connecting People with Possibilities

Mission: Bridgewell inspires hope and empowers people experiencing life challenges to achieve their fullest potential.


Summary: The Direct Support Professional will provide support and assistance to people with developmental, physical and psychiatric disabilities as needed based on the needs of the residential program assigned. The Direct Support Professional will provide support to people in our services who need daily intervention, supervision and skills training in activities of daily living while managing within a home environment and in the community. People in our services may require physical assistance or accommodation. Staff will receive and must pass specialized training to provide enhanced supervision or interventions designed to address multiple disabilities which may include behavioral support or enhanced medical care. Staff may be required to have specialized certifications; be credentialed or trained in specialized areas such as PABC or ABA techniques; and/or have advanced training in areas such as autism, behavioral support and/or healthcare.

Schedule: Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm and Sunday 5:00pm-11:00pm (12 hours per week)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide support and assist people in our services with skills training in all activities of daily living during the day, evening and/or overnight hours (depending on the shift the employee is assigned).
2. Create opportunities and provide support to people in our services to make decisions to develop their skills and foster independence.
3. Provide services to people in our services according to DDS, DMH, MassHealth, HUD, DPH, CARF and all applicable regulatory standards, as well as Bridgewell policies and procedures.
4. Provide support and assist people in our services with all medical, clinical and financial needs.
5. Transport and accompany people in our services as needed to and from medical, recreational and other activities outside the program.
6. Maintain daily progress notes, shift checklists, shift assignments and other required documentation according to DDS, DMH, MassHealth, HUD, DPH, CARF and all applicable regulatory standards as well as Bridgewell policies and procedures.
7. Complete household cleaning duties as assigned.
8. Conduct all steady care calls as per guidelines (applies to all awake overnight shifts)
9. Assist people in our services with accessing resources and recreational opportunities in the community.
10. Administer medications according to MAP regulations, as applicable.
11. Maintain all mandatory training certifications such as FA/CPR, PABC and MAP (not all all-inclusive list).
12. Maintain additional mandated certifications and trainings as required by the program and Bridgewell policies and procedures.
13. Develop positive relationships with guardians, family members and other stakeholders.
14. Serve as the program's specific Fire Safety Officer or Safety Coordinator or Human Rights Officer.
15. Comply with Bridgewell Safety Checks Policy.
16. Attend and participate in program staff meetings and supervision meetings.
17. Other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or GED or at least 5+ years of verified experience in the same position is required.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience working with people with developmental or psychiatric disabilities preferred.

Required Skills/Knowledge:

1. Excellent written and oral communication skills so that writing of required documents is clear and articulate.
2. Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
3. Computer literacy to include ability to use proficiently Microsoft products (Email, Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based applications used by the agency.
4. Ability to drive a large and/or wheelchair van as well as hold a valid US driver's license with a minimum of one year of driving experience in the United States.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands of employees working in residential programs assisting people with their care needs are varied and require the employee to be able to maneuver people of varying weights, and provide lifting, balanced support and physical intervention in a few scenarios.

Described below are essential requirements of staff to ensure the safety of employees and people served alike. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions; however, approval will be based on the needs of the people served and consideration of safety factors related to any program or position within a program.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to be able to:

• Climb stairs, physically assist people served, often weighing more than 200 pounds, with movement, bathroom routines including toileting, assisting with entry and exit of a tub or shower, getting into and out of wheelchairs or dealing with assists that include physical, behavioral and medical interventions.
• Additional lifting or moving may be required as part of activities in the daily living of people in our services.
• Ability to drive a 12-passenger van

Bridgewell offers:

• Excellent health benefits-medical, dental, vision. We believe our benefits package is one of the most competitive.
• Generous paid time off includes your birthday (that's right, we even give you your birthday off!)
• A collaborative work environment that values new insight and personal contributions
• With over one hundred programs in the North Shore, Lowell, and Merrimack Valley we provide excellent opportunities for training and development.
• Additional compensation for on-call rotations
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Why Should You Apply: If the top benefits alone don't sway you, our compassionate and collaborative work environment should! Bridgewell is committed to training and developing staff and provides opportunities for you to have a positive impact on the work you do.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Requires acceptable CORI results according to Bridgewell policy.

Bridgewell is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The pay range listed for this position is the hourly rate range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, or other applicable factors permissible by law.