Direct Support Specialist - Full-Time

Description:

Position Summary

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides direct support and individualized services to individuals served by The Kennedy Collective across residential, day, community-based, and other assigned service settings. Under the direction of program leadership, the Direct Support Professional assists individuals with the implementation of person-centered plans, activities of daily living, skill development, health and safety supports, community participation, documentation, and meaningful opportunities that promote independence, self-determination, personal growth, and an enhanced quality of life while ensuring services are delivered in accordance with Connecticut DDS regulations, agency policies, and individual outcomes.

Core Competencies

• Person-Centered Supports: Provides individualized, respectful, and person-centered services that promote dignity, choice, independence, and achievement of personal goals. Health, Safety & Well-Being: Ensures the physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being of individuals by implementing support plans, promoting healthy lifestyles, and maintaining safe environments.
• Communication & Professional Documentation: Communicates effectively with individuals, families, guardians, coworkers, and interdisciplinary teams while maintaining timely, accurate, and confidential documentation. Community Inclusion & Skill Development: Supports meaningful participation in home and community life while teaching and reinforcing daily living, social, vocational, and independent living skills.
• Advocacy & Self-Determination: Protects individual rights, promotes informed choice, encourages self-advocacy, and empowers individuals to make decisions affecting their own lives. Professionalism & Ethical Practice: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, cultural competence, teamwork, and compliance with Connecticut DDS regulations, agency policies, and ethical standards.
• Health, Safety & Well-Being: Ensures the physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being of individuals by implementing support plans, promoting healthy lifestyles, and maintaining safe environments.
• Community Inclusion & Skill Development: Supports meaningful participation in home and community life while teaching and reinforcing daily living, social, vocational, and independent living skills.
• Professionalism & Ethical Practice: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, cultural competence, teamwork, and compliance with Connecticut DDS regulations, agency policies, and ethical standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Support Professional – Residential/Day Program Functions

• Provide direct support to individuals in accordance with their Individual Plan (IP/ISP), promoting choice, dignity, independence, self-determination, and meaningful participation in home and community life.
• Assist individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs) and individualized supports as needed, including personal care, hygiene, mobility, meal planning or meal support, medication support, household responsibilities when applicable, communication, transportation, financial skills, recreation, and other assigned supports.
• Implement individualized goals, teaching strategies, behavioral support plans, nursing protocols, and other prescribed supports while monitoring progress and communicating significant observations to supervisors and interdisciplinary team members.
• Support individuals in developing independent living, communication, social, vocational, recreational, and community integration skills through person-centered instruction, coaching, and positive reinforcement.
• Facilitate meaningful individual and group activities that promote learning, skill development, employment readiness, recreation, community participation, and achievement of person-centered outcomes.
• Administer medications and complete medication-related responsibilities in accordance with Connecticut DDS regulations, physician orders, agency policies, and applicable certification requirements.
• Complete accurate, timely, and objective documentation in electronic case record (ECR) systems and other agency platforms, including daily documentation, data collection, health information, appointments, incidents, and all required program records.
• Promote and protect the health, safety, privacy, dignity, and rights of individuals by adhering to Connecticut DDS regulations, HIPAA requirements, abuse and neglect reporting laws, emergency procedures, and agency policies.
• Respond appropriately to behavioral, medical, and environmental emergencies using approved intervention techniques, crisis response procedures, and sound professional judgment.
• Transport and accompany individuals to community activities, employment, appointments, family visits, recreational opportunities, and other scheduled activities as assigned.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming residential environment by assisting with household operations, infection prevention, environmental safety, and routine housekeeping responsibilities.

Program and General Responsibilities

• Collaborate with supervisors, nurses, behavior analysts, clinicians, families, guardians, case managers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to support positive person-centered outcomes.
• Maintain professional, respectful, and timely communication with individuals served, coworkers, families, guardians, community partners, and other stakeholders while preserving confidentiality.
• Maintain all required trainings, certifications, licenses, and qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position and ensure all credentials remain current in accordance with agency, Connecticut DDS, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in required agency, Connecticut DDS, safety, compliance, and professional development trainings and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and quality service.
• Demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, cultural competence, accountability, and person-centered practices consistent with The Kennedy Collective's mission, vision, values, and policies.
• Advocate for individuals' rights while promoting informed choice, self-advocacy, community inclusion, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for personal growth and independence.
• Provide support and coverage across programs, locations, shifts, and service settings as assigned to meet the operational needs of The Kennedy Collective. Assignments may include residential, day, community-based, or other agency programs regardless of primary work assignment.
• Perform additional duties, assignments, and projects as requested to support program operations and the needs of individuals served.

Requirements:

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and satisfactory driving record. Must be able to transport individuals served as assigned.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form and work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, electronic documentation systems, and internet-based tools.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and initiative in a person-centered environment.
• Must complete and maintain all required agency, Connecticut DDS, PMT, CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration Certification (as applicable), and other required trainings, certifications, and qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Rehabilitation, or a related field.
• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, or other vulnerable populations.
• Experience implementing Individual Plans (IPs/ISPs), behavior support plans, or person-centered supports.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations; bilingual skills preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of person-centered practices, activities of daily living (ADLs), and community integration principles.
• Ability to establish professional, respectful, and supportive relationships while promoting dignity, choice, and independence.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to complete accurate and timely documentation.
• Ability to recognize, respond to, and report health, behavioral, safety, and emergency situations appropriately.
• Ability to work collaboratively with supervisors, coworkers, families, guardians, and interdisciplinary team members.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to assist individuals with activities of daily living, including lifting, transferring, repositioning, mobility assistance, and personal care as required.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds independently and greater weights with assistance or adaptive equipment when appropriate.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and perform repetitive physical activities throughout the workday.
• Ability to perform approved physical intervention techniques, emergency evacuations, and other safety-related responsibilities following required training.
• Ability to transport and accompany individuals in the community and work in a variety of residential, day program, vocational, and community-based environments.

Working Conditions

• Primarily works within residential, day program, community-based, and other assigned service settings, including transportation to employment, volunteer, recreational, educational, medical, and community activities.
• Regular interaction with individuals served, families or guardians, interdisciplinary team members, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Schedule may include days, evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage based on assigned program and operational needs.
• Must be available to work assigned shifts across residential, day, community-based, and other agency programs, and may be required to accept schedule adjustments, mandatory assignments, or emergency staffing coverage, including overtime when operational needs require, in accordance with agency policy and applicable law.

Success Measures

• Provides safe, compassionate, and person-centered supports that promote individual choice, independence, and quality of life.
• Implements Individual Plans (IPs/ISPs), health protocols, and behavioral supports accurately and consistently.
• Maintains timely, accurate documentation and effective communication with supervisors and interdisciplinary team members.
• Demonstrates professionalism, ethical conduct, reliability, and compliance with The Kennedy Collective and Connecticut DDS standards.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation

• Compensation for this position is based on experience, qualifications, and applicable organizational compensation practices, where applicable.
• The hourly rate range for this position will be provided in accordance with applicable federal and Connecticut pay transparency requirements.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may participate in The Kennedy Collective's comprehensive benefits program, subject to plan eligibility requirements, which may include:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options, where applicable
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions, if eligible
• Paid time off and floating holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Employee discount and wellness programs
• Additional voluntary benefits offered by The Kennedy Collective

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Kennedy Collective is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. The Kennedy Collective also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law.

Notice Regarding the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Application Review:

Notice of AI Use in Job Application Review

As part of our commitment in creating a fair, efficient, and consistent hiring process we may use artificial intelligence (AI) to help our recruiting teams organize, summarize, and analyze information provided by candidates, including resumes, application responses, and other materials submitted during the application process.AI may be used to identify patterns, highlight relevant skills, and experience, and assist in comparing a candidate’s qualifications with the requirement of a specific role. These tools are to improve efficiency and consistency while supporting more informed hiring decisions, which will ultimately be made by the hiring team.

Compensation details: 17.25-18.25 Hourly Wage

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