Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Support Professional Part-Time (South Side Chicago Only)

Chicago, ILCommunity Living Services

Now Hiring: Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)!  
Base Pay: $22.61hr + $2.00/hr Pay Differential for weekend shifts!Chicago, IL | Part-Time | Community Living Services

Looking to make a real difference while working with an amazing team? Join Envision Unlimited , where we empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live life to the fullest!

Position : Direct Support Professional

Department : Community Living Services

Reports To : CILA Manager

FLSA Status : Non-Exempt

Union Status : Union

Human Resources Review : 09/2026

Summary

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Envision Unlimited plays a crucial role in assisting individuals with disabilities in achieving and maintaining their maximum level of functioning in independent community living. This position involves monitoring and assisting residents with various daily tasks, including personal grooming, medication management, transportation, meal preparation, and more.

As a Direct Support Professional, you will provide direct, hands-on support to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential (CILA) setting. This may include physically assisting individuals with personal hygiene, grooming, and daily living tasks; supporting individuals who may have behavioral or medical support needs, including responding to behavioral or medical emergencies using Agency-approved crisis prevention, de-escalation and physical intervention procedures, First Aid/ CPR procedures; and performing physically demanding tasks such as lifting, transferring, and light housekeeping. 

DSPs should be aware that people receiving supports may, at times, exhibit hostile or verbally aggressive behavior, including the use of profanity or language that may be offensive. A DSP must remain calm and professional, maintain appropriate boundaries, and respond in accordance with Agency-approved de-escalation, crisis prevention, behavior plan and safety procedures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Responsibilities, include but are not limited to :

• Monitor and assist residents with personal grooming and appearance as necessary.
• Transport and accompany residents to appointments and other services, including day program sites, as needed.
• Supervise and assist residents in taking their medication in accordance with program guidelines.
• Assist residents in preparation of daily schedules to include performance of household chores, social activities, and other meetings and appointments.
• Perform cleaning and housekeeping duties such as vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, and mopping.
• Monitor and assist residents with daily bedroom maintenance.
• Respond to medical and behavioral emergencies following appropriate Health and Safety, Aggression Management, First Aid, CPR, and other procedures as necessary.
• Plan menus and assist with meal preparation as required.
• Perform other essential responsibilities as needed to meet program requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Employees shall respect the diversity of all individuals (e.g., clients, co-workers, stakeholders) and refrain from any form of discrimination and/or harassment based on religious, marital, ethnic, racial, gender, sexual orientation, or other differences. Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming and supportive work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, and/or EXPERIENCE :

• High School Diploma/GED (required proof).
• Be able to pass a criminal background check.
• DSP experience preferred.
• Must have valid driver's license.

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  

As a condition of continued employment, you must complete all required training and certifications within the specified timelines. This includes :

- [BF1] CPR and First Aid Certification (Must be completed by the date assigned by the Training Manager and renewed prior to the expiration date thereafter.)

- Safety Care Training (This training must be completed by your first day of employment a nd renewed annually, with each renewal completed within 365 days of the previous completion date.)

- OIG-Abuse/Neglect Training ( Must be completed by your first day of employment and renewed annually thereafter .)

- Authorized for Medication Administration (You must become an Authorized Direct Support Professional (ADSP) within 150 days of hire).

- OJT Packet (This training must be completed within 120 days of the hire date for DPSs needing DSP certification (not on the HCWR at time of hire. Once completed employee will be added to DD Aide registry). 

- HCWR DD Aide (You must be registered on the Healthcare Workforce Registry (HCWR) portal as a DD Aide within 120 days of hire.)

- Defensive Driving Training via Mineral (This training must be completed within 1 week of your hire date)

- Vehicle Use, Seat Belt and Transportation Safety Policy (Envision Unlimited reserves the right to review a driver’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) prior to authorization and periodically thereafter. 

- Rule 50/Abuse and Neglect and Program Personnel Compliance trainings (This must be completed no later than the 1st day of work)

- DSP Training Courses via Infinitec (40-hour training, must be completed within 2 weeks of receipt; if applicable)

Annual Trainings (to be completed in Paylocity)

· Bystander Intervention Training

· Ant-Harassment and Sexual Harassment

· Rule 50 Abuse and Neglect

· Bloodborne Pathogens, Standard Precautions and Exposure Incidents

· Confidentiality and HIPAA

· DDD HCBS Waiver

· Defensive Driving

· Policy Reviews: QA105 - Identifying Allegations of Abuse, Neglect, Financial Exploitation, Death, or Serious Injuries of Adults, Harassment, Code of Ethics, QA102 - Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure, Vehicle Use Seat Belt and Transportation Safety Policy

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, physical requirements may include standing, walking, and sitting; seeing; hearing and listening; clear speech; dexterity and use of hands and fingers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. The work environment may include any or all the following: working alone; working with others, verbal contact with others, and face-to-face contact.

Envision Unlimited provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.