Direct Support Professional

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

IMPACT of the Piedmont advocates and honors the humanity and rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. IMPACT is a compassionate community of professional caregivers committed to industry excellence, who honor one another with integrity and respect, whether it be with our team, the persons served, or members of our extended community.

Position Summary:

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides compassionate, person-centered support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other support needs, helping them live as independently as possible within their community. Working one-on-one, the DSP assists individuals in achieving their personal goals, developing life skills, and participating in meaningful community activities while promoting dignity, choice, and independence.

Responsibilities include providing assistance with daily living activities, encouraging community inclusion, supporting health and safety needs, assisting with transportation, documenting services, and fostering positive relationships with individuals, families, and interdisciplinary team members. The DSP serves as an advocate for each individual's rights and well-being while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to organizational policies and state regulations. The position supports compliance with all Federal, State, and internal policies, addresses issues as they arise, and escalates concerns to the Qualified Professional as appropriate. The role includes rotating on-call responsibilities and may require direct shift coverage when needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand the person that you are working with (their preferences, history, source of strength and comfort. Triggers areas of meaning)
• In residential environments or as outlined in plan, administer medications as ordered.
• Transport individuals served safely.
• Provide personal care such as bathing, dressing, toileting as indicated.
• Support individuals served in reaching individual goals. Follow the “how to” section of running goals, create a positive learning environment, document thoroughly and timely.
• Use clinical process to achieve positive outcome with individuals served.
• Ensure health and safety needs are met. 

• Provide support and supervision to ensure health and safety. 
• Participate in all staff meetings/training courses and committees as assigned. 
• Provide crises response/emergency assistance to individuals served as necessary.
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality of all records and information per applicable guidelines.
• Ensure individuals served are free from abuse, neglect, or any other irregularity and report any concerns immediately.
• Performs all other duties as assigned such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and vehicle maintenance.
• Assist the individual served with medical appointments as assigned.  
• Always be professional with respectful communication within agency and outside of the agency.
• Communicate concerns up to manager and as indicated QP.
• Precise attention to administration of medications and vitals as order.
• Depending on the needs of the individual supported, must use proper body mechanics to bathe,liftor transfer individuals supported.
• Maintain and promote the agency