Direct Support Professional III

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Abilene, TX

12d • $3,650 - $4,595 • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional III works as part of a team providing routine and emergency care, treatment, and training to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at a state supported living center. The role supports individuals in pursuing personal goals and greater independence through person-centered care, active treatment, habilitation and rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, and individualized programs. Duties may include grooming, bathing, feeding, lifting and positioning, assisting with medication administration, observing and reporting changes in conditions or behavior, and providing meaningful engagement. The DSP documents daily activities, responses to programs, progress, and unusual incidents. Work is performed with supervision and guidance from professional staff. The DSP III also models proper care, routinely assists colleagues with more complex work, and trains or mentors new DSPs. The employee may volunteer to serve as shift or team lead when the DSP IV Lead/Charge is not on duty.

The position is based at Abilene State Supported Living Center in Abilene, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. It is available on morning, evening, and night shifts, with work across multiple homes; additional pay may be available for evening, night, and/or weekend work. Travel is up to 5%, and the employee may be required to drive a state-owned vehicle. Work may involve rotating or extended shifts and overtime, and requires willingness to work weekends and holidays.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and pass fingerprint-based criminal background, drug-screen, and registry checks. The role may also require participation in disaster response or recovery or Continuity of Operations Plan activation, potentially involving a different shift pattern or location.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or six months of work experience.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Ability to make decisions and use good judgment during critical incidents.
• Ability 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 after training, and conduct Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).
• Ability to train, mentor, and coach others.
• Ability to work effectively with others as a team member.
• Ability to master basic individual-care and training techniques.
• Ability to be flexible in handling work assignments.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Must pass fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug screening, and applicable registry checks.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; overtime, extended hours, and flexibility in work hours may be required.

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.
• Valid Texas driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire.
• Certification in CPR, First Aid, Ukeru, and/or Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).

Responsibilities

• Attend work regularly, follow assigned or rotating shift schedules, work extended shifts or overtime when required, and perform other assigned duties.
• Provide direct care and support, including implementing habilitation and rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, mealtime plans, and treatment programs tied to individuals’ goals.
• Encourage individuals to attend assigned activities, maintain meaningful engagement, and document participation and progress for communication with staff.
• Use active treatment and person-centered activities to teach activities of daily living and support individual goals and independence.
• Implement positive behavior support plans, crisis intervention plans, and skills acquisition plans, including teaching feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, and other skills.
• Enter electronic documentation about individuals’ daily schedules, responses to activities and training, progress, and unusual incidents.
• Support the development of person-centered treatment plans, provide feedback to the interdisciplinary team on progress, and document issues for follow-up by administrative and supervisory staff.
• Attend to healthcare needs under medical personnel’s supervision; observe and document signs of illness, injury, medication reactions, or other conditions requiring intervention; provide first aid as appropriate; and report significant changes.
• Administer CPR during emergency interventions and provide behavior intervention to protect residents from harm or injury, including preventing or managing aggressive behavior.
• Assist with transporting individuals to scheduled activities and during emergencies, ensure staff have trip and individual-needs information, and accompany staff and individuals as needed.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary living environment, correct or report hazards, follow infection-control protocols, protect individuals from physical and emotional harm, and model respectful interactions.
• Follow procedures for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation and unusual incidents, and carry out designated protective or corrective measures.
• Evacuate individuals during fires, natural disasters, emergencies, or drills and complete required documentation afterward.
• Maintain compliance with HHSC competency, training, and development standards.
• Guide, train, mentor, and coach new DSPs; model proper care and routinely assist staff with more complex work; optionally serve as shift or team lead when the DSP IV Lead/Charge is off duty.
• Participate in a supporting role in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations Plan activation, when assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Potential additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights, and/or weekends.

What This Job Offers

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