Direct Support Profession III

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • RICHMOND, TX

7d • $3,650 - $4,595 • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Profession III works as part of a team providing routine and emergency care, treatment, and training to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Richmond State Supported Living Center. The role supports individuals in achieving goals, developing skills, and attaining greater independence through person-centered care, active treatment, and meaningful activities. Duties may include grooming, bathing, feeding, lifting and positioning, assisting with medication administration, observing and reporting conditions and behaviors, and participating in individualized training and treatment programs.

The position documents individuals’ daily activities, responses, progress, and unusual incidents. Work is performed with guidance through supervision and training. The role routinely assists other staff with more complex work, mentors new Direct Support Professionals, and may serve as a shift or team lead when the DSP IV Lead/Charge is not on duty. The position requires driving a state-owned vehicle and may involve work on morning, evening, night, weekend, or holiday shifts, as well as overtime or extended hours. It is not eligible for telework.

The position may be eligible for additional pay for work on evenings, nights, weekends, or maximum-security locations. Applicants must pass required fingerprint criminal background, drug, and registry checks. Employees at State Supported Living Centers are subject to random drug testing.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or six months of work experience.
• Valid Texas driver’s license.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Knowledge of individual care techniques and of treatment, therapy, and developmental programs, or ability to learn them through training.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Ability to make decisions and use good judgment during critical incidents, and to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to demonstrate proper body mechanics, posture, and lifting techniques.
• Ability to provide individual care and administer first aid and/or CPR, perform Ukeru once trained, and conduct Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).
• Ability to train, mentor, and coach others; work effectively with others and as a team member; master basic individual care and training techniques; and remain flexible with work assignments.
• Must be at least 18 years old to work at a state-operated facility.
• Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and specified registry checks.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; flexibility in work hours, overtime, and extended hours may be required.
• Employees are subject to random drug testing.

Nice To Haves

• Six months of experience working with people with mental health or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Experience as a Direct Support Professional.
• Experience implementing behavior programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Experience writing reports.
• Certification in CPR, First Aid, Ukeru, and/or Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and support services to individuals, including implementing habilitation and rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, mealtime plans, and treatment programs tied to individual goals.
• Encourage individuals to attend assigned activities and programs, provide ongoing activities based on their preferences, and document participation and progress.
• Use active treatment to teach activities of daily living and other skills that promote independence, and implement positive behavior support plans, crisis intervention plans, and skills acquisition plans.
• Enter electronic information about individuals’ daily schedules, responses to activities and training, progress, and unusual incidents.
• Support individuals in developing person-centered treatment plans and provide the interdisciplinary team with feedback on progress toward goals and skill acquisition.
• Observe individuals for signs of illness, injury, medication reactions, or other conditions requiring medical intervention; document observations, provide first aid when appropriate, report significant changes, and perform CPR in emergencies.
• Assist with and accompany individuals during scheduled activities and emergency transportation, ensuring relevant trip information and individual needs are understood.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary environment, correct or report hazards, follow infection-control protocols, protect individuals from harm, and report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, and unusual incidents according to procedures.
• Evacuate individuals during fires, natural disasters, emergencies, or drills and complete required documentation afterward.
• Provide behavior intervention to protect individuals from harm, manage aggressive behavior, and perform CPR during emergency interventions.
• Maintain compliance with HHSC competency, training, and development standards.
• Guide and mentor new Direct Support Professionals and model proper care techniques; serve as shift or team lead when assigned and when the DSP IV Lead/Charge is not on duty.
• Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations Plan activation when assigned, which may require a different shift or location.
• Attend work regularly, follow assigned or rotating schedules, work overtime or extended shifts when required, and perform other assigned duties.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Additional pay may be available for work on evenings, nights, weekends, or maximum-security locations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED