DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL-HOURLY

Job Description

Job Description

Job DescriptionDirect Support Professional (DSP)

Job Title: Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Reports To: Program Coordinator
Supervises: None
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides direct care, supervision, training, and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential setting. The DSP promotes independence, dignity, personal growth, health, safety, and community inclusion while implementing individualized support plans, behavior support programs, and daily living skills training. This position requires compassionate care, professional conduct, accurate documentation, and adherence to organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

QualificationsRequired Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One (1) year of experience in a medical, psychiatric, nursing, childcare, or developmental disability setting.
• College, vocational, or technical training equal to 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or 720 classroom hours may substitute for the required experience.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Ability to meet all Department of Children and Families (DCF) background screening requirements, including local law enforcement, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and DCF clearances.

Required Certifications and Training

Must obtain and maintain current certification/training in:

• Professional Crisis Management (PCM)
• CPR and First Aid
• Medication Administration
• Behavior Assistant Training (minimum 20 hours)
• Core Assurances Training and other required agency trainings

Required Competencies

• Ability to effectively support individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates professionalism, maturity, reliability, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to build positive relationships with consumers, families, staff, community partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to attend all required trainings, meetings, and staff development activities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform physical duties required to support consumers safely.
• Ability to assist with lifting, transferring, positioning, and mobility support using approved techniques and equipment.
• Ability to safely implement approved restraint techniques when necessary.
• Ability to kneel, bend, stoop, walk, stand, and rise from kneeling without using a consumer or consumer-related equipment for assistance.
• Ability to pass a physical ability assessment as part of the hiring process.

Notice of Physical Ability Requirement

Applicants must be capable of performing essential job-related physical functions. As part of the interview and application process, candidates will be required to demonstrate the ability to safely rise from a kneeling position without utilizing a consumer, wheelchair, bed, or other consumer-related furniture for support.

Essential Job Duties and ResponsibilitiesConsumer Support and Daily Living Assistance

• Assist consumers with activities of daily living (ADLs), including:
  • Personal hygiene and grooming
  • Bathing and showering
  • Oral care
  • Dressing and clothing maintenance
  • Toileting
  • Meal preparation and dining support
  • Room maintenance and organization
• Support participation in meaningful leisure activities and community inclusion opportunities.
• Ensure consumers receive appropriate supervision based on individualized support plans.
• Promote consumer choice, independence, and self-determination.

Implementation of Individual Support Plans

• Follow all consumer Implementation Plans as written.
• Complete assigned skill-building and training programs.
• Provide support that encourages independence and personal growth.
• Assist consumers with transportation to programs, appointments, and community activities as assigned.

Behavior Support

• Follow Behavior Support Plans and behavioral guidelines as written.
• Implement replacement behavior strategies and training programs.
• Utilize approved crisis intervention procedures only when necessary and in accordance with PCM guidelines and behavior plans.
• Conduct safe verbal and physical transfers of supervision responsibility between staff members.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

• Administer medications and document medication administration in compliance with Florida Rule 65G-7 and organizational policies.
• Monitor and report changes in consumer health, behavior, or physical condition.
• Ensure consumers receive balanced meals and proper nutrition.
• Maintain awareness of emergency preparedness, disaster, and fire safety procedures.
• Report accidents, injuries, illnesses, and incidents according to agency requirements.
• Utilize safe body mechanics and seek assistance when lifting or transferring consumers.

Documentation Responsibilities

Accurately complete documentation required by agency procedures, including:

• Daily service logs
• Residential daily logs
• Task tracking forms
• Physical status reports
• Contact logs
• Community inclusion records
• Input/output records, when applicable
• Incident and accident reports
• Behavior tracking documentation
• Staff communication logs

Documentation must be completed accurately, objectively, legibly, and within established timeframes.

Professionalism and Workplace Expectations

• Demonstrate positive, respectful, and professional interactions with consumers, families, co-workers, support coordinators, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Accept feedback and direction appropriately.
• Support and encourage fellow team members.
• Maintain confidentiality and consumer rights at all times.
• Adhere to all agency policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Report to work on time and remain available throughout the assigned shift.
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Review and respond to work communications at the beginning of each shift.
• Follow all scheduling, attendance, and call-out procedures.
• Maintain required certifications and training.
• Safely operate agency vehicles and complete vehicle logs.
• Report maintenance or repair needs for agency vehicles and residential facilities.
• Follow agency purchasing and petty cash procedures.
• Participate in overnight monitoring responsibilities when assigned.

Consumer Rights and Advocacy

Support and protect the rights of all consumers, including:

• Privacy and dignity
• Freedom from abuse, neglect, and unnecessary restraint
• Religious choice and participation
• Access to healthcare and treatment
• Communication with family and friends
• Participation in educational, recreational, and community activities
• Possession and use of personal belongings

Home Environment Responsibilities

Ensure a safe, clean, organized, and comfortable living environment by:

• Completing housekeeping duties as assigned.
• Assisting consumers with laundry, room upkeep, and personal organization.
• Maintaining cleanliness in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, dining areas, laundry rooms, medication rooms, and outdoor spaces.
• Completing required shift and facility checklists.

Other Duties

Perform other duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by the Program Coordinator, Director of Residential Services, or Executive Director.