Direct Support Professional 3 (DSP3)

About the Role

Bridgewell strengthens communities by providing an unmatched range of social and human services that empower people with disabilities and other life challenges to live safe, self-directed, and productive lives. The Direct Support Professional will provide support and assistance to people with developmental, physical, and psychiatric disabilities based on the needs of the residential program assigned. This role involves daily intervention, supervision, and skills training in activities of daily living within a home environment and the community. Staff may receive specialized training to address multiple disabilities, including behavioral support or enhanced medical care, and may require certifications or advanced training in areas such as autism, behavioral support, and healthcare.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM (15 hours per week).

Responsibilities

• Provide support and assist people in our services with skills training in all activities of daily living during assigned shifts.
• Create opportunities and provide support to foster decision-making, skill development, and independence.
• Deliver services according to DDS, DMH, MassHealth, HUD, DPH, CARF, and all applicable regulatory standards, as well as Bridgewell policies and procedures.
• Support and assist with medical, clinical, and financial needs.
• Transport and accompany people to medical, recreational, and other activities outside the program.
• Maintain daily progress notes, shift checklists, and required documentation.
• Complete household cleaning duties as assigned.
• Conduct steady care calls as per guidelines (applies to awake overnight shifts).
• Assist with accessing community resources and recreational opportunities.
• Administer medications according to MAP regulations, as applicable.
• Maintain mandatory training certifications such as FA/CPR, PABC, and MAP, along with additional mandated certifications.
• Develop positive relationships with guardians, family members, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the program's Fire Safety Officer, Safety Coordinator, or Human Rights Officer as assigned.
• Comply with Bridgewell Safety Checks Policy.
• Attend and participate in program staff meetings and supervision meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED, or at least 5+ years of verified experience in the same position.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with people with developmental or psychiatric disabilities preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft products (Email, Word, Excel) and web-based applications.
• Ability to drive a large and/or wheelchair van; valid US driver's license with a minimum of one year of driving experience in the United States.

Physical Demands

The role requires the ability to perform physically demanding tasks to ensure the safety of both employees and people served. This includes:

• Climbing stairs and physically assisting people, often weighing more than 200 pounds, with movement, bathroom routines, and other daily activities.
• Assisting with entry and exit from tubs or showers, wheelchairs, and managing physical, behavioral, and medical interventions.
• Additional lifting or moving as part of daily living activities.
• Ability to drive a 12-passenger van.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions, subject to safety considerations.

Benefits

• Excellent health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision.
• Generous paid time off, including your birthday off.
• Collaborative work environment that values new insights and personal contributions.
• Opportunities for training and development across over one hundred programs in the North Shore, Lowell, and Merrimack Valley.
• Additional compensation for on-call rotations.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

Requires acceptable CORI results according to Bridgewell policy.