Direct Support Professional (DSP) / Personal Care Assistant

Job Description

Position Type: Part-Time

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Location: Wilbraham, MA

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Pay Rate: $20.00 per hour

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Schedule: Starting at 18 hours per week; specific schedule to be determined

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Services: MCS Activities Support & Stavros Personal Care

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Position Summary

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We are seeking a compassionate, dependable, patient, and experienced Direct Support Professional (DSP) / Personal Care Assistant to provide individualized support to a 36-year-old adult male with complex physical and developmental disabilities.

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The individual is legally blind, has cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, limited verbal communication, and is non-ambulatory.

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This position combines recreational activities, social engagement, companionship, personal care assistance, feeding support, and health and safety monitoring.

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The ideal candidate will have experience working with individuals with significant support needs and demonstrate a strong commitment to providing safe, respectful, person-centered care that promotes dignity, comfort, independence, and quality of life.

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Essential Job Responsibilities

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1. Activities, Recreation, and Social Engagement

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* Plan and facilitate meaningful recreational, educational, and sensory activities tailored to the individual’s interests and abilities.

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* Encourage social interaction, communication, and engagement in daily activities.

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* Adapt activities to accommodate visual impairment, limited verbal communication, developmental disabilities, and physical limitations.

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* Provide companionship and positive emotional support.

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* Encourage participation in hobbies and appropriate community activities.

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* Recognize and respond appropriately to verbal and nonverbal communication cues.

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* Promote confidence, independence, and participation in everyday experiences.

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2. Personal Care and Daily Living Assistance

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* Assist with feeding and mealtime activities in accordance with the individual’s established care plan and feeding precautions.

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* Provide assistance with brushing teeth and maintaining oral hygiene.

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* Gradually introduce and reinforce additional personal hygiene routines based on the individual’s comfort, abilities, and needs.

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* Encourage participation in personal care activities to promote independence.

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* Provide step-by-step guidance, positive reinforcement, and consistent routines.

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* Maintain the individual’s comfort, privacy, dignity, and personal preferences during all care activities.

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* Assist with additional authorized daily living responsibilities as outlined in the individualized care plan.

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* Communicate any concerns regarding personal care, feeding, hygiene, or daily routines to the designated caregiver or supervisor.

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3. Health, Safety, and Seizure Awareness

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* Understand and consistently practice universal precautions and infection prevention procedures.

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* Wear a protective mask when requested.

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* Be familiar with the proper use of a pulse oximeter (oxygen saturation monitor).

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* Be familiar with blood pressure monitoring equipment.

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* Understand the individual’s typical seizure activity and established seizure response protocols.

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* Recognize signs of seizure activity and respond appropriately according to the individual’s emergency care plan.

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* Monitor for observable changes in physical condition, behavior, communication, or comfort.

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* Promptly report health or safety concerns to the appropriate caregiver or supervisor.

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* Maintain a safe, clean, and supportive environment.

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* Follow all individualized emergency procedures and safety guidelines.

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4. Communication and Individualized Support

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* Communicate effectively with an individual who has limited verbal communication.

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* Demonstrate patience and attentiveness when interpreting verbal and nonverbal communication.

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* Use communication methods appropriate to the individual’s needs and abilities.

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* Respect individual preferences, personal boundaries, and established routines.

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* Build a positive, trusting, and consistent working relationship.

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* Support emotional well-being through meaningful interaction and compassionate care.

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* Work collaboratively with family members and designated support professionals.

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5. Documentation and Professional Responsibilities

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* Maintain accurate records of activities, services, and observations as required.

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* Communicate relevant updates to the designated family member or supervisor.

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* Follow established care plans, schedules, and program requirements.

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* Maintain confidentiality regarding the individual’s personal and medical information.

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* Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, punctuality, and accountability.

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* Immediately report any incidents, injuries, significant behavioral changes, or safety concerns.

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* Participate in required training and follow applicable agency and program guidelines.

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Required Qualifications

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* Ability to provide compassionate, respectful, and individualized support to adults with complex disabilities.

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* Experience or demonstrated ability to assist individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.

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* Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

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* Patience and ability to work effectively with individuals who have limited verbal communication.

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* Willingness and ability to provide feeding assistance, oral hygiene support, and other authorized personal care services.

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* Knowledge of universal precautions or willingness to complete required training.

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* Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to health and safety concerns.

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* Ability to follow individualized care plans and emergency procedures.

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* Dependable, punctual, attentive, and professional.

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* Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with the individual’s family and care team.

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Preferred Qualifications

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* Previous experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Home Health Aide (HHA), caregiver, or similar position.

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* Experience supporting individuals with cerebral palsy.

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* Experience working with legally blind or visually impaired individuals.

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* Experience supporting adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

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* Familiarity with seizure disorders, seizure recognition, and emergency response procedures.

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* Experience working with non-ambulatory individuals and wheelchair users.

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* Familiarity with pulse oximeters and blood pressure monitoring equipment.

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* CPR and First Aid certification.

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* Experience providing feeding assistance and personal hygiene support.

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* Experience developing accessible recreational or sensory activities.

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Physical and Work Requirements

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* Ability to assist a non-ambulatory individual with approved activities and personal care tasks.

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* Ability to safely perform assigned responsibilities in accordance with the individual’s established care plan.

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* Ability to remain attentive and responsive to the individual’s needs throughout scheduled working hours.

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* Ability to follow applicable safety procedures and use any required assistive equipment following appropriate training.

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* Physical assistance and mobility-related duties will be determined by the individualized care plan and training requirements.

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Ideal Candidate

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The ideal candidate is compassionate, patient, reliable, attentive, and genuinely committed to supporting individuals with disabilities.

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We are seeking someone who understands that quality care extends beyond completing daily tasks. The right person will provide meaningful companionship, encourage communication and independence, support personal hygiene development, and contribute positively to the individual’s overall well-being.

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The successful candidate will demonstrate respect for the individual’s dignity, preferences, abilities, and personal boundaries while maintaining a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment.

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How to Apply

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Interested candidates should submit their resume to View email address on ziprecruiter.com, outlining relevant experience in caregiving, direct support, personal care, or disability services.

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Applicants are encouraged to highlight experience with cerebral palsy, visual impairments, developmental disabilities, seizure awareness, feeding assistance, and recreational support.

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Compensation, scheduling, and additional employment details will be discussed during the hiring process.