Direct Support Professional

Job Summary

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for delivering high-quality direct care and support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in residential, employment, and community-based settings. This role promotes independence, dignity, and person-centered outcomes while ensuring compliance with all applicable standards.

Performance expectations include:

• Meeting the quality expectations of individuals served, family members, and community partners.
• Implementing individualized goals and outcomes as outlined in each person’s support plan.
• Assisting individuals with activities of daily living, supported employment, and community integration as needed.
• Performing all duties in accordance with New Horizons Life Skills policies and procedures and Tennessee Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDA) standards.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide social services to individuals served in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Ensure the health, safety, and overall well-being of individuals served at all times.
• Implement all prescribed plans of care, including Individual Support Plan (ISP) goals and outcomes, nutrition plans, behavior support plans, and physician orders.
• Participate in ongoing training aligned with the goals, preferences, and support needs of individuals served.
• Maintain current personnel records and complete all required DDA trainings, including CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration, Relias modules, and other assigned trainings.
• Complete accurate and timely daily documentation, including progress notes, medication administration records (MARs), incident reports, logs, receipts, and behavior tracking data.
• Support individuals in exercising their rights, making informed choices, and engaging in community and employment opportunities.
• Provide transportation to appointments, emergency care, employment, community outings, family visits, meetings, and other activities as needed.
• Maintain the cleanliness, safety, and organization of residential homes, Day Center environments, and agency vehicles in accordance with agency and DDA standards.
• Attend required meetings for individuals served, including Person Centered Support Plan (PCSP), Circle of Support (COS), and transition meetings.
• Report any suspected or observed abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other inappropriate conduct in accordance with policy and law.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the House Manager or Program Coordinator/Day Center Supervisor.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
• Current certifications in CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration, and completion of required DDA trainings preferred.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with computers and electronic systems for completing daily documentation.
• Valid Tennessee driver’s license required.
• Must successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
• Ability to interact professionally and maintain positive working relationships with individuals served and their family members, conservators, coworkers, and external professionals.

Additional Information

Benefits

This position is part-time, with the possibility of becoming full-time.  

How to Apply

Please send cover letter and resume to View email address on cnemt.org

No calls please

Details

• Date Posted: June 12, 2026
• Type: Part-Time
• Job Function: Other
• Service Area: Social / Human Services
• Start Date: 06/22/2026
• Working Hours: 20 hrs/wk