Experienced Direct Support Professional

Job Description

Job Description

What is a Direct Support Professional?

• Direct Support Professionals provide support and supervision to individuals who have developmental, mental health, or physical disabilities.

Who makes a great Direct Support Professional?

• Has a passion for helping others.
• Is flexible and dependable.
• Displays the qualities of the company’s core values including service excellence, person-centered care, nurturing relationships, ownership, value in every voice, and authenticity.

About the Individual You'll Support

• This role provides one-on-one support to an adult with disabilities who enjoys community outings, daily routines, and spending time with staff. The individual benefits from consistent structure, encouragement, and patient support to build independence and successfully navigate daily activities.
• The primary areas of support include maintaining safety due to a history of elopement, encouraging participation in personal hygiene routines, and assisting with keeping their living environment clean and organized. The individual may require frequent prompting, redirection, and positive reinforcement to complete these tasks and follow established routines.
• Successful staff members are patient, observant, and proactive. They remain attentive in community and home settings, use positive behavior support techniques, communicate clearly, and provide consistent guidance while promoting independence and dignity. Candidates should be comfortable providing ongoing encouragement, maintaining structure, and following individualized support plans to help the individual achieve their personal goals while ensuring their health and safety.

Why is being a Direct Support Professional so rewarding?

• Direct Support Professionals get to know new people and create relationships. They also get to participate in new experiences and have fun while at work! Direct Support Professionals go home every single day knowing they have made a difference.

What are the responsibilities of a Direct Support Professional?

• Helps to establish and keep community relationships and friendships.
• Assists individuals with daily routines including, but not limited to, household tasks, cooking and eating, individual self-care, socializing, use of leisure time, health and safety, money management and behavior management.
• Administers medications.
• Provides transportation.
• Documents services and events through an online computer program.

Who are we looking for?

Applicants must:

• be 18 years or older, with a high school diploma preferred and one year of experience delivering services to individuals with disabilities.
• possess a valid driver’s license, have access to an insured vehicle, have a clean driving record, and need to pass a DHS background study.
• possess basic computer skills to be successful in this position.

Applicant preferences for this specific DSP role:

• Experience supporting individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors or require behavioral intervention strategies.
• The ability to remain calm, attentive, and proactive while ensuring the individual's safety, particularly regarding elopement prevention.
• Patience and consistency when encouraging participation in personal hygiene routines and household cleaning responsibilities.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• A mature, professional approach with the ability to establish appropriate boundaries and build trust.
• A commitment to treating every individual with dignity, respect, patience, and professionalism.

Working Conditions:

The Direct Support Professional is subject to flexible hours, including split shifts, varied days and times, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and overnights, depending on coverage needs of the site and the company. This position may be expected to cover other sites.

This position will travel regularly into the community and work in a variety of settings both inside and outside the site and throughout the community. The Direct Support Professional is subject to frequent interruptions and deadlines imposed. This person sits, walks, bends, lifts, reaches, and moves intermittently during working hours. 

This person is subject to frequent problem-solving activities and has regular contact with individuals, family members, friends, and the public, who may be hostile or emotionally upset. The position may be subject to physically aggressive individuals and may be exposed to infectious diseases, odor, and dust.

Synova Group offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including PTO, paid holidays, health, dental, life insurance, and disability insurance. Paid training is conducted in our Brooklyn Park office and is led by Synova Group employees.  

You will work in an environment that makes you feel proud of what you do and work with others who have a strong desire to support individuals with disabilities. Synova Group focuses on person-centered planning to provide the best care to our individuals. 

Synova Group provides many growth opportunities for those looking to advance their career and places value on internal promotion! 

This position reports to the House Supervisor. The position is classified as non-exempt. 

Synova Group is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.