Direct Support Professional 1 (DSP 1)

Bridgewell • Melrose, MA

4d

About The Position

Bridgewell is seeking a Direct Support Professional to support people with developmental, physical, and psychiatric disabilities in a residential program. The role provides daily assistance, supervision, and skills training in activities of daily living, both in the home and in the community. People receiving services may need physical assistance or accommodations. Staff receive specialized training and may need specialized certifications or training in areas such as PABC, ABA, autism, behavioral support, or healthcare, depending on program needs.

The schedule is Sunday 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., and Saturday 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., for 28 hours per week. The role involves supporting people’s independence and decision-making, assisting with medical, clinical, and financial needs, transportation, documentation, household duties, medication administration where applicable, and maintaining required training and certifications. The position also includes relationship-building with guardians, family members, and other stakeholders, participation in meetings and supervision, and assigned program safety or human-rights responsibilities.

Bridgewell provides medical, dental, and vision benefits; paid time off, including the employee’s birthday; a collaborative work environment; training and development opportunities; additional compensation for on-call rotations; and professional development and growth opportunities. Employment requires acceptable CORI results under Bridgewell policy.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED, or at least five years of verified experience in the same position.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for preparing clear and articulate required documentation.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft products such as email, Word, and Excel, and agency web-based applications.
• Ability to drive a large and/or wheelchair van.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and at least one year of driving experience in the United States.
• Ability to climb stairs and physically assist people receiving services, including people weighing more than 200 pounds, with movement, bathroom routines, transfers into and out of tubs or showers and wheelchairs, and physical, behavioral, or medical interventions.
• Ability to perform additional lifting or moving as required for activities of daily living.
• Ability to drive a 12-passenger van.
• Acceptable CORI results according to Bridgewell policy.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience working with people with developmental or psychiatric disabilities.
• Specialized certifications or training in areas such as PABC, ABA techniques, autism, behavioral support, or healthcare, as required by program needs.

Responsibilities

• Support people receiving services with skills training in activities of daily living during assigned day, evening, or overnight hours.
• Create opportunities for people receiving services to make decisions, develop skills, and foster independence.
• Provide services in accordance with applicable DDS, DMH, MassHealth, HUD, DPH, and CARF standards and Bridgewell policies and procedures.
• Assist people receiving services with medical, clinical, and financial needs.
• Transport and accompany people to medical, recreational, and other activities outside the program as needed.
• Maintain daily progress notes, shift checklists, shift assignments, and other required documentation.
• Complete assigned household cleaning duties.
• Conduct steady care calls as required for awake overnight shifts.
• Assist people receiving services with accessing community resources and recreational opportunities.
• Administer medications according to MAP regulations, where applicable.
• Maintain mandatory training certifications, including applicable FA/CPR, PABC, and MAP certifications, as well as other required training.
• Develop positive relationships with guardians, family members, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the program’s designated Fire Safety Officer, Safety Coordinator, or Human Rights Officer.
• Comply with Bridgewell’s Safety Checks Policy.
• Attend and participate in program staff and supervision meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Paid time off, including the employee’s birthday.
• Additional compensation for on-call rotations.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Professional development and growth opportunities.
• Collaborative work environment that values new insight and personal contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED