DSP OPWDD - Housing Services
About The Position
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) works alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them achieve personal outcomes. The role supports people in developing daily living, professional, and informed decision-making skills while promoting their health and safety. The DSP must be able to speak, read, and write English well enough to complete training, understand and follow support plans, communicate with care teams and providers, document services and patient information accurately, and comply with health and safety standards. In the residential setting, the DSP may provide personal care and hygiene assistance, companionship and support during periods of incapacitation or life disruption, household tasks, and help planning, shopping for, or preparing nutritious meals. The role is performed in person. Agency drivers travel in an agency vehicle. FREE provides training upon hire as needed and reasonable accommodations for employees to perform essential functions, provided they do not cause undue hardship.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Valid driver's license and ability to satisfy the agency's driver criteria.
- Functional proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Proficient writing skills, including basic grammar and spelling.
- Ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keep others informed, and anticipate needs.
- Efficiency, strong organization, and excellent communication skills.
- Ability to sit, walk, and stand for prolonged periods of at least 8 hours; reach with hands and arms; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or stand on a stool as needed; and lift 50 pounds at a time.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
Nice To Haves
- Experience performing related job duties.
- Proficient computer skills.
Responsibilities
- Help the people supported identify and pursue personal life goals.
- Advocate for the people supported in a variety of situations.
- Teach new life skills.
- Partner with the people supported to promote their health and safety.
- Help address barriers to establishing and maintaining relationships and valued social roles.
- Work with the people supported and interdisciplinary team members to develop service plans that support personal life goals.
- Provide positive behavior support as necessary.
- Prevent, recognize, and report abuse.
- Accurately document services, daily notes, and other required information.
- Promote and support community involvement.
- Transport clients outside the home, such as to medical appointments or outings, using a motor vehicle.
- Perform healthcare-related tasks as needed.
- Complete and process required paper and electronic documentation promptly and in accordance with quality and compliance requirements.
- Administer bedside or personal care as needed in OPWDD residential settings.
- Assist with personal care and hygiene as needed.
- Provide companionship, personal care, and help adjusting to new lifestyles during incapacitation, family disruption, or convalescence.
- Perform housekeeping tasks, including cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, and errands.
- Plan, shop for, or prepare nutritious meals, or assist individuals with these activities.
- Communicate respectfully with the people supported, supervisors, coworkers, and community members.
- Protect confidential information in accordance with FREE policies.
- Complete required safety training, follow safety policies, report unsafe conditions, and help prevent accidents and health or safety risks.
- Participate in or deliver required training.
- Follow FREE's ethical standards, Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and applicable laws and regulations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
