DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL-HOURLY

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, self-determination, health, safety, and community inclusion. Through trauma-informed care, skill development, and individualized support, the DSP helps individuals meet the goals outlined in their Individual Service Plan (ISP) and Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP). The DSP embraces the organization's mission by fostering a culture of compassion, hope, service, and collaboration.

Direct Duties

• Assists individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and household maintenance.
• Supports individuals in achieving personal goals and outcomes identified in their Individual Service Plans (ISP) and Individual Habilitation Plans (IHP).
• Promotes independence and self-determination while maximizing each individual's quality of life.
• Encourages and supports participation in community activities, employment, recreation, education, religious activities, and family involvement.
• Provides supervision and guidance to assist individuals in developing skills and increasing independence.
• Creates and maintains a safe, supportive, respectful, and person-centered environment.
• Implements individualized service, habilitation, behavioral, and healthcare plans as prescribed.
• Utilizes trauma-informed care principles in all aspects of service delivery.
• Monitors for potential crisis situations and responds appropriately in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Recognizes and reports suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment immediately and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Assists with medication administration and documentation in accordance with agency policy and applicable regulations.
• Provides transportation to appointments, community activities, educational programs, employment activities, family visits, and other approved destinations.
• Ensures compliance with individual supervision requirements outlined in ISP and BSP documentation.
• Assists with community home licensing preparation and regulatory compliance activities.
• Participates in ISP development, implementation, and outcome tracking.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation, including:
• Daily logs
• Medication Administration Records (MARs)
• Goal tracking documentation
• Incident reports
• Sleep/Awake Charts
• Weight and health monitoring records
• Behavior documentation
• Seizure records
• Fire drill logs
• Vehicle logs
• Consumer funds records
• Financial documentation and receipts
• Completes required electronic timekeeping through the HRIS system.
• Attends all scheduled staff meetings, trainings, and agency programs.
• Assists with on-call responsibilities and emergency situations when requested.
• Works collaboratively with Residential Managers, Lead DSPs, families, guardians, clinical staff, and support coordinators.
• Assists with special projects and agency initiatives as assigned.
• Documents time worked accurately.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Other Responsibilities

• Successfully completes all required orientation, pre-service, annual, and competency-based training programs.
• Implements behavioral support plans and therapeutic interventions as prescribed.
• Teaches independent living skills and supports skill acquisition activities.
• Maintains confidentiality and safeguards individual information and records.
• Assists with maintenance of individual files, goal tracking, monthly reporting, and program documentation.
• Participates in individual assessments and identifies training and support needs.
• Cooperates fully with licensing reviews, audits, inspections, investigations, and accreditation activities.
• Maintains professionalism and ethical conduct in all interactions.
• Demonstrates respect toward individuals served, family members, coworkers, community members, and stakeholders.
• Promotes community inclusion, dignity, and individual rights.
• Maintains positive working relationships with interdisciplinary team members and community partners.
• Other duties as required to support quality service delivery.

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Services, Psychology, Healthcare, Education, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum six (6) months to one (1) year of direct support or human services experience preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual, developmental, behavioral, or physical disabilities preferred.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to meet all agency, state, and licensing requirements.
• Successful completion of required criminal background checks, registry clearances, and drug screenings as applicable.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping abilities.
• Excellent judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office, email systems, HRIS, and electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during emergencies and crisis situations.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, support teams, and community providers.

Job Competencies

Person-Centered Support

Provides individualized services that promote dignity, independence, choice, and self-determination.

Communication

Communicates clearly, respectfully, and effectively with individuals served, families, coworkers, and community partners.

Trauma-Informed Care

Demonstrates understanding of trauma and integrates trauma-informed practices into service delivery.

Community Integration

Supports meaningful participation in community activities, relationships, and opportunities.

Behavioral Support

Implements behavior support plans consistently and effectively.

Documentation & Compliance

Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant records consistent with agency and regulatory standards.

Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

Identifies concerns, evaluates situations, and takes appropriate action to ensure individual safety and well-being.

Organization & Time Management

Manages competing priorities and responsibilities effectively.

Professionalism & Ethics

Demonstrates integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.

Stress Tolerance

Maintains composure under pressure and responds appropriately during emergencies and high-stress situations.

Vehicle Requirements

• Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance as applicable.
• Ability to safely operate agency vehicles.
• Ability to transport individuals safely in accordance with agency policies.
• Ability to operate wheelchair-accessible vehicles and adaptive transportation equipment when required.

Equipment/Machines

Equipment Operations

• Agency vehicles
• Wheelchair lifts and adaptive equipment
• Cellular and multi-line telephones
• Computer
• Copier
• Fax machine
• Calculator
• Household appliances and residential equipment

Computer