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, health, safety, dignity, and community inclusion. Through trauma-informed care, skill development, and individualized support, the DSP helps individuals achieve goals identified in their Individual Service Plan (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP), and other person-centered planning documents. The DSP embraces the organization's mission by fostering a culture of compassion, hope, service, collaboration, and respect.

Direct Duties

• Assists individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, household maintenance, laundry, shopping, and community participation.
• Supports individuals in developing skills necessary to increase independence and maximize quality of life.
• Encourages individuals to achieve personal goals and reach their fullest potential.
• Promotes self-determination, choice, and community inclusion.
• Assists individuals in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships and community connections.
• Creates and maintains a safe, supportive, and person-centered environment.
• Provides supervision, guidance, and support consistent with individualized plans and supervision requirements.
• Implements Individual Service Plans (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plans (IHP), Behavior Support Plans (BSP), and other clinically relevant supports.
• Monitors progress toward individual goals and documents outcomes accordingly.
• Documents interactions, services provided, and activities in accordance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to crisis situations following agency procedures and best practices.
• Utilizes trauma-informed interventions to support individuals during periods of stress or behavioral challenges.
• Recognizes and reports suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with medication administration and medication documentation as authorized and trained.
• Provides transportation to medical appointments, employment programs, educational activities, recreational opportunities, family visits, religious services, and other approved destinations.
• Assists individuals in participating in community-based activities and personal interests.
• Participates in ISP development, implementation, and outcome monitoring.
• Assists with residential licensing activities and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation including:
  • Medication Administration Records (MARs)
  • Daily logs
  • Goal tracking forms
  • Incident reports
  • Sleep/Awake documentation
  • Weight monitoring documentation
  • Seizure records
  • Fire drill records
  • Behavior tracking documentation
  • Transportation and vehicle logs
  • Consumer fund documentation
  • Other required program records
• Completes electronic timekeeping and payroll documentation accurately.
• Attends all required staff meetings, trainings, supervision sessions, and competency reviews.
• Responds to emergency and on-call situations as requested.
• Works collaboratively with Residential Managers, Lead DSPs, families, guardians, clinicians, support coordinators, and community providers.
• Provides trauma-informed care and support in all aspects of service delivery.
• Performs special projects and program-related assignments as requested.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Other Responsibilities

• Successfully completes all required orientation, pre-service, annual, and in-service training requirements.
• Implements individualized behavioral, habilitation, and healthcare plans.
• Teaches adaptive living skills and supports personal growth and development.
• Maintains confidentiality of all client and organizational information.
• Assists with maintenance of individual and program files, monthly reports, and regulatory documentation.
• Participates in assessment activities and identification of support needs.
• Fully cooperates during audits, inspections, licensing reviews, and investigations.
• Maintains professional and respectful interactions with individuals served, family members, coworkers, and community stakeholders.
• Promotes dignity, choice, inclusion, and individual rights.
• Participates in quality improvement activities and program development efforts.
• Performs other duties necessary to support quality care and service delivery.

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, or mental illness preferred.
• Direct support, healthcare, human services, residential, or community-based experience preferred.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Valid non-provisional driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to meet all licensing, screening, and regulatory requirements.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping abilities.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office applications, email, electronic documentation systems, and timekeeping software.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and practices.
• Ability to effectively support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently 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 flexible schedules based on program needs.

Job Competencies

Person-Centered Support

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

Effective Communication

Communicates professionally and effectively with individuals served, family members, coworkers, and community stakeholders.

Trauma-Informed Care

Applies trauma-informed principles to create safe, supportive, and empowering environments.

Community Inclusion

Supports meaningful participation in community life, relationships, and activities.

Behavioral Support

Implements individualized behavioral interventions and support strategies consistently and effectively.

Documentation & Compliance

Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation consistent with regulatory and agency requirements.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Uses sound judgment and decision-making skills to address challenges and support positive outcomes.

Professionalism & Ethics

Maintains confidentiality, integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Organization & Time Management

Effectively manages responsibilities, priorities, scheduling requirements, and documentation.

Stress Tolerance

Maintains professionalism and composure in crisis situations, emergencies, and high-stress environments.

Vehicle Requirements

• Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance as applicable.
• Reliable transportation when required.
• Ability to safely operate agency vehicles and passenger vans.

Equipment/Machines

Equipment Operations

• Telephone
• Cellular phone
• Computer
• Copier
• Fax machine
• Calculator
• Agency vehicles and passenger vans
• Residential and adaptive support equipment

Computer Software Applications

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)