Direct Support Professional

Position Summary:

Under supervision, assists with daily living activities at the person's home, in a daytime non-residential facility or a residential facility. Provides training of basic personal and social skills, simple academics, or work skills to consumers/students in a state school, hospital, juvenile detention facility, residence, group home, workshop, or supported employment environment.

Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards:

1. Arranges for needed medical care and provides needed services to assure that medical care is obtained

• Vacuums, sweeps, mops, cleans bathrooms, dusts, cleans kitchens, and performs other housecleaning chores for incapacitated persons or overburdened caretakers. Trains clients in basic housecleaning/laundry skills.
• Assists clients in shopping for food, household supplies, and clothing. Trains clients in shopping skills noting differences in quantity, quality and price.
• Plans budget with clients. Helps clients pay bills and determine what are the most essential purchases.
• Encourages clients to provide nutritious meals and instructs in meal planning. Assists persons with diet restrictions to plan and prepare food within diet guidelines. Prepares meals when clients cannot do so.
• Assists client in applying for financial assistance, food stamps, medical assistance, and other appropriate community resources.
• Provides emotional support, as needed, to families in crisis and under chronic stress.

2. Assists in presentation of educational group lectures related to appropriate topics

• Assists clients in seeking dependable transportation outside the agency.
• Assures that all persons riding in the vehicle are in seat belts.
• Provides safe transportation for clients, when needed, by following all laws regarding vehicle safety (locally and out of town).

3. Assists with the development of an individual service/treatment plan for each assigned consumer/student

• Listens and talks with clients to obtain information about their needs, improve their self-esteem, and help combat loneliness.
• Assists clients with personal grooming, selecting clothing to wear, or other personal assistance as needed. Reads and writes letters and assists with other routine personal business as needed.
• Instructs family members on care for the disabled client.
  Encourages recreational activities that enhance client self-worth.

4. Cares for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, family disruption or convalescence, providing companionship, personal care, and help in adjusting to new lifestyles

• Observes and reports signs and symptoms of illness to case manager.
• Schedules appointments for needed medical treatment.
• Accompanies client to doctors, obtains doctor's instructions and helps clients to understand and follow doctor's instructions. Provides caregiver with instructions as appropriate.
• Assists clients in obtaining an adequate supply of prescriptions. Develops a safe method to assist client in taking proper dosages of medication.
• Assists in planning and preparing a prescribed diet.

5. Counsels and advises clients on behavioral problems, daily decision-making, and the resolution of minor problems

• Maintains confidentiality of client records.
• Completes all forms and narratives in accordance with agency policies.
• Maintains case records accurately and in proper order.
• Maintains a tickler file for upcoming reviews and deadlines.
• Maintains accurate personal records, e.g., travel, leave, time sheets, etc.
• Provides verbal or written feedback to caseworker/supervisory staff regarding assignments.
• Provides verbal or written feedback to caseworker/supervisory staff regarding assignments and gives immediate feedback if situation warrants immediate casework attention.

6. Instructs and advises clients/residents on daily living skills in one-on-one or group instruction

• Attends unit meetings and supervisory conferences as scheduled to stay up to date with changes in policies and programs.
• Attends internal and external educational programs and meetings as available for continuing education in improving job performance.
• Reads and evaluates relevant literature, manual transmittals, county letters, and memorandums.

7. Observes and monitors client behavior

8. Participates in case reviews, consulting with the team to evaluate the client's needs and plan for continuing services

9. Performs housekeeping duties, such as cleaning, washing clothes and dishes, and running errands

10. Plans, shops for, and prepares meals, including special diets, and assists families in planning, shopping for, and preparing nutritious meals

11. Prepares and maintains records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor

12. Provides transportation for clients/residents to appointments and activities

Sample Technical Competencies:

1. Ability to observe and monitor participants' behavior.
2. Ability to assist and supervise participants with daily living activities.
3. Ability to develop individualized plans.
4. Ability to provide training and/or orientation services to participants.
5. Ability to participate in supportive guidance, staff supervision sessions, program planning meetings, consumer staffing's and service training.
6. Ability to complete evaluations to determine functional level of participants.
7. Ability to complete evaluations to determine functional level of participants.

Minimum Qualifications :


DSP 1: High school diploma or GED AND any combination of training and experience, which would have enabled the applicant to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.

DSP 2: One year experience providing social or direct care services to groups of special needs individuals in a human service setting OR associate degree in a related field OR One year experience at the lower level or position equivalent Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.

DSP 3: Two years' experience providing social or direct care services to groups of special needs individuals in a human service setting OR associate degree in a related field and one year of related experience OR bachelor's degree in a related field OR One year experience at the lower level or position equivalent Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.