DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL-HOURLY

About the role

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, health, safety, dignity, and community inclusion. Through trauma-informed care, skill development, and individualized support, the DSP helps individuals achieve goals identified in their Individual Service Plan (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP), and other person-centered planning documents.

Responsibilities

• Assists individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, household maintenance, laundry, shopping, and community participation.
• Supports individuals in developing skills necessary to increase independence and maximize quality of life.
• Encourages individuals to achieve personal goals and reach their fullest potential.
• Promotes self-determination, choice, and community inclusion.
• Affords supervision, guidance, and support consistent with individualized plans and supervision requirements.
• Implements Individual Service Plans (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plans (IHP), Behavior Support Plans (BSP), and other clinically relevant supports.
• Makes sure progress toward individual goals is monitored and documented.
• Documents interactions, services provided, and activities in accordance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to crisis situations following agency procedures and best practices.
• Utilizes trauma-informed interventions to support individuals during periods of stress or behavioral challenges.
• Recognizes and reports suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with medication administration and medication documentation as authorized and trained.
• Provides transportation to medical appointments, employment programs, educational activities, recreational opportunities, family visits, religious services, and other approved destinations.
• Assists individuals in participating in community-based activities and personal interests.
• Participates in ISP development, implementation, and outcome monitoring.
• Assists with residential licensing activities and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation including: Medication Administration Records (MARs), Daily logs, Goal tracking forms, Incident reports, Sleep/Awake documentation, Weight monitoring documentation, Seizure records, Fire drill records, Behavior tracking documentation, Transportation and vehicle logs, Consumer fund documentation, Other required program records.
• Completes electronic timekeeping and payroll documentation accurately.
• Attends all required staff meetings, trainings, supervision sessions, and competency reviews.
• Responds to emergency and on-call situations as requested.
• Works collaboratively with Residential Managers, Lead DSPs, families, guardians, clinicians, support coordinators, and community providers.
• Provides trauma-informed care and support in all aspects of service delivery.
• Performs special projects and program-related assignments as requested.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, or mental illness preferred.
• Direct support, healthcare, human services, residential, or community-based experience preferred.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Valid non-provisional driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to meet all licensing, screening, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping abilities.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office applications, email, electronic documentation systems, and timekeeping software.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and practices.
• Ability to effectively support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals served, families, coworkers, supervisors, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work flexible schedules based on program needs.

Benefits

Applies to eligible employees only.

Pay

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Variable schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage as needed.