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, dignity, wellness, safety, and community integration. Working in residential and community settings, the DSP provides assistance with daily living activities, implements individualized support plans, and fosters an environment of hope, respect, and inclusion. Through trauma-informed care and collaborative service delivery, the DSP helps individuals achieve their personal goals and improve their quality of life.

Direct duties include:

• Assists individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, household chores, laundry, shopping, and community participation.
• Supports individuals in achieving goals identified in their Individual Service Plans (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plans (IHP), and Behavior Support Plans (BSP).
• Promotes independence, self-determination, and community inclusion.
• Models positive behaviors, optimism, and encouragement to help individuals maximize their potential.
• Provides supervision, guidance, and support to develop life skills and increase independence.
• Maintains a safe, supportive, and person-centered environment.
• Implements trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care practices.
• Monitors and responds appropriately to behavioral, medical, and emergency situations.
• Recognizes and reports suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with medication administration and documentation in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Provides transportation to medical appointments, employment programs, educational opportunities, recreational activities, family visits, religious services, and other community-based activities.
• Assists individuals with community integration and participation in meaningful activities.
• Participates in ISP development, implementation, and progress monitoring.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation, including but not limited to: Daily logs, Medication Administration Records (MARs), Goal tracking logs, Incident reports, Behavior documentation, Sleep/awake charts, Weight monitoring records, Seizure records, Fire drill logs, Vehicle logs, Consumer funds documentation, and other agency-required records.
• Completes electronic timekeeping accurately through the HRIS system.
• Assists with residential licensing, inspections, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Attends all scheduled staff meetings, trainings, and agency events.
• Assists with on-call responsibilities and emergency situations as requested.
• Works collaboratively with Residential Managers, Lead DSPs, clinical staff, families, guardians, and external service providers.
• Performs special projects and program-related assignments as directed.
• Documents time worked accurately.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Other responsibilities include:

• Successfully completes all required pre-service, annual, and in-service training programs.
• Implements healthcare, habilitation, behavioral, and support plans as prescribed.
• Teaches adaptive living skills and supports individual growth and development.
• Maintains confidentiality of client information and records.
• Assists with maintenance of client files, monthly reports, and goal tracking documentation.
• Participates in individual assessments and identification of support needs.
• Cooperates fully with licensing reviews, audits, inspections, and investigations.
• Promotes dignity, respect, and individual rights at all times.
• Maintains professional relationships and ethical conduct.
• Supports positive relationships among individuals served, family members, coworkers, and community stakeholders.
• Participates in quality improvement activities and agency initiatives.
• Other duties as necessary to support quality service delivery.

Job qualifications include:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Associates Degree or Bachelors Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Education, Healthcare, Social Services, or related field preferred.
• Minimum six (6) months to one (1) year of direct support, human services, healthcare, or residential experience preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to meet agency and regulatory background screening requirements.

Required skills include:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping abilities.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and positive behavioral support practices.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office, email, electronic documentation, and timekeeping systems.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and 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 a flexible schedule as required by program needs.

Job competencies include:

Person-Centered Support: Provides individualized supports that promote dignity, independence, choice, and self-determination.

Communication: Communicates professionally and effectively with individuals served, families, coworkers, and community partners.

Trauma-Informed Care: Utilizes trauma-informed approaches to create safe and supportive environments.

Behavioral Support: Implements individualized behavior plans consistently and effectively.

Community Integration: Supports participation in community activities, relationships, and opportunities.

Documentation & Compliance: Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant records and reporting.

Problem Solving & Critical Thinking: Uses sound judgment and effective decision-making when addressing concerns and challenges.

Professionalism & Ethics: Demonstrates integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and professionalism.

Organization & Time Management: Effectively manages responsibilities, schedules, and documentation requirements.

Stress Tolerance: Responds calmly and appropriately during emergencies, crises, and high-stress situations.

Vehicle Requirements include:

• Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Vehicle registration and insurance as required.
• Ability to safely operate agency vehicles.
• Ability to transport individuals served.
• Knowledge and safe operation of wheelchair lifts and adaptive transportation equipment.

Equipment/Machines include:

• Agency vehicles
• Wheelchair lifts
• Adaptive equipment
• Cellular and multi-line telephones
• Computers
• Copiers
• Fax machines
• Calculators
• Residential appliances and furnishings
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
• Electronic documentation platforms
• HRIS and payroll systems
• Agency-specific software applications

Physical requirements include:

• Ability to bend, stoop, twist, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and assist individuals with mobility needs.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to sit for periods of time throughout a work shift.
• Ability to safely drive agency vehicles.
• Ability to assist with transfers and physical support when required.
• Ability to safely perform residential and community-based activities.

Lifting requirements include:

• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move over 50 pounds when necessary to safely support individuals and complete job duties.

Working conditions include:

• Residential group homes and community living environments.
• Community locations throughout New Jersey.
• Medical facilities, educational programs, employment sites, recreational programs, and community venues.
• Indoor and outdoor work environments.
• Flexible schedules that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, overnight shifts, and emergency coverage.

Accident, health hazard, and security knowledge include: