Direct Support Professional (DSP / Foster Care)

Waypoint is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support and empower children and adults with intellectual and other disabilities to reach their fullest potential.

The role of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) is to support members within Waypoint to be connected to others by modeling healthy relationships, engaging in effective communication and supporting independence. This will be achieved through improving skills, promoting self-determination, encouraging personally satisfying lifestyles and fostering growth to the greatest extent possible.

The DSP will support the interests, culture, and needs of the people we serve, and promote respectful interaction with all individuals.

The DSP will work successfully within a team as well as professionally represent Waypoint, in the community supporting individuals, with parents and guardians and within each member’s residence or program. Develop a rapport with residents and cultivate a safe and supportive relationship

• Provide support and guidance for members during skills building activities
• Implement individual treatment plans and positive support plans for members
• Encourage self-help skill building by supporting members with daily living activities including preparing meals, maintaining a clean and healthy environment and assisting with personal hygiene
• Mentor healthy eating choices, activities that enhances or physical fitness, and overall health and wellness choices
• Transport residents in approved vehicles as activities and/or medical appointments require
• Notify House Manager of any situation developing or occurring in the home which could have a negative impact on the home’s operation or member’s welfare and safety
• Understand and comply with licensing requirements, MaineCare requirements, Person-Centered Planning requirements and all of Waypoint’s policies and procedures.
• Collect accurate and timely data including updates to member ISP progress notes, treatment plans, and positive support plans daily, or more often, as outlined in the plan and as required to track progress towards established goals, objectives, and outcomes.
• Operate as part of a team, maintaining a willingness to accept direction, constructive feedback and information from the House Manager and team.
• Maintain all required certifications for the Direct Support Professional position.
• Ensure a clean and orderly residence or program site, while implementing all cleaning routines and checklists. Alert House Manager to safety and/or maintenance needs by following the internal protocols regarding the Maintenance Department.
• Follow all transportation policies including identifying any maintenance concerns with vehicles.
• Position experience not required, but must have the desire to work with, learn about, and support individuals with intellectual and other complex disabilities.
• A willingness to implement positive behavior support and structured activities.
• Must become DSP, CRMA and Safety Care certified as a primary responsibility of the DSP position
• Must be proficient in speaking, reading and writing English.
• Ability to push and pull personal care equipment, and lift up to 50 pounds independently, using safe body mechanics.
• Ability to implement Safety Care techniques to escort and/or establish member safety in an emergency and/or per the support plan.

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Employer Paid Short Term Disability

Employer Paid Life Insurance and AD&D

Flexible Spending Accounts