DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a member of the interdisciplinary care team who provides compassionate, person-centered support to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health challenges. The DSP assists individuals in achieving their fullest potential by promoting independence, dignity, wellness, safety, and community integration. Working in residential and community settings, the DSP provides assistance with daily living activities, implements individualized support plans, and fosters an environment of hope, respect, and inclusion. Through trauma-informed care and collaborative service delivery, the DSP helps individuals achieve their personal goals and improve their quality of life.

Direct duties include:

• Assisting individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, household chores, laundry, shopping, and community participation.
• Supporting individuals in achieving goals identified in their Individual Service Plans (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plans (IHP), and Behavior Support Plans (BSP).
• Promoting independence, self-determination, and community inclusion.
• Modeling positive behaviors, optimism, and encouragement to help individuals maximize their potential.
• Providing supervision, guidance, and support to develop life skills and increase independence.
• Maintaining a safe, supportive, and person-centered environment.
• Implementing trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care practices.
• Monitoring and responding appropriately to behavioral, medical, and emergency situations.
• Recognizing and reporting suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
• Assisting with medication administration and documentation in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Providing transportation to medical appointments, employment programs, educational opportunities, recreational activities, family visits, religious services, and other community-based activities.
• Assisting individuals with community integration and participation in meaningful activities.
• Participating in ISP development, implementation, and progress monitoring.
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation, including but not limited to: Daily logs, Medication Administration Records (MARs), Goal tracking logs, Incident reports, Behavior documentation, Sleep/awake charts, Weight monitoring records, Seizure records, Fire drill logs, Vehicle logs, Consumer funds documentation, Other agency-required records.
• Completing electronic timekeeping accurately through the HRIS system.
• Assisting with residential licensing, inspections, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Attending all scheduled staff meetings, trainings, and agency events.
• Assisting with on-call responsibilities and emergency situations as requested.
• Working collaboratively with Residential Managers, Lead DSPs, clinical staff, families, guardians, and external service providers.
• Performing special projects and program-related assignments as directed.
• Documenting time worked accurately.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Other responsibilities include:

• Successfully completing all required pre-service, annual, and in-service training programs.
• Implementing healthcare, habilitation, behavioral, and support plans as prescribed.
• Teaching adaptive living skills and supporting individual growth and development.
• Maintaining confidentiality of client information and records.
• Assisting with maintenance of client files, monthly reports, and goal tracking documentation.
• Participating in individual assessments and identification of support needs.
• Cooperating fully with licensing reviews, audits, inspections, and investigations.
• Promoting dignity, respect, and individual rights at all times.
• Maintaining professional relationships and ethical conduct.
• Supporting positive relationships among individuals served, family members, coworkers, and community stakeholders.
• Participating in quality improvement activities and agency initiatives.
• Other duties as necessary to support quality service delivery.

Job qualifications include:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Education, Healthcare, Social Services, or related field preferred.
• Minimum six (6) months to one (1) year of direct support, human services, healthcare, or residential experience preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to meet agency and regulatory background screening requirements.

Required skills include:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping abilities.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and positive behavioral support practices.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office, email, electronic documentation, and timekeeping systems.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals served, families, coworkers, supervisors, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule as required by program needs.

Job competencies include:

Person-Centered Support

Provides individualized supports that promote dignity, independence, choice, and self-determination.

Communication

Communicates professionally and effectively with individuals served, families, coworkers, and community partners.

Trauma-Informed Care

Utilizes trauma-informed approaches to create safe and supportive environments.

Behavioral Support

Implements individualized behavior plans consistently and effectively.

Community Integration

Supports participation in community activities, relationships, and opportunities.

Documentation & Compliance

Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant records and reporting.

Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

Uses sound judgment and effective decision-making when addressing concerns and challenges.

Professionalism & Ethics

Demonstrates integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and professionalism.

Organization & Time Management

Effectively manages responsibilities, schedules, and documentation requirements.

Stress Tolerance

Responds calmly and appropriately during emergencies, crises, and high-stress situations.

Vehicle requirements include:

• Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Vehicle registration and insurance as required.
• Ability to safely operate agency vehicles.
• Ability to transport individuals served.
• Knowledge and safe operation of wheelchair lifts and adaptive transportation equipment.

Equipment/machines include:

• Agency vehicles
• Wheelchair lifts
• Adaptive equipment
• Cellular and multi-line telephones
• Computers
• Copiers
• Fax machines
• Calculators
• Residential appliances and furnishings

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
• Electronic documentation platforms
• HRIS and payroll systems
• Agency-specific software applications

Physical demands include:

• Ability to bend, stoop, twist, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and assist individuals with mobility needs.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to sit for periods of time throughout a work shift.
• Ability to safely drive agency vehicles.
• Ability to assist with transfers and physical support when required.
• Ability to safely perform residential and community-based activities.

• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move over 50 pounds when necessary to safely support individuals and complete job duties.

Working conditions include:

• Residential group homes and community living environments.
• Community locations throughout New Jersey.