405-01 Direct Support Professional

Venture Community Services Inc • Holden, MA

2d • $18 - $19

About The Position

Venture Community Services provides support to individuals facing diverse challenges through a compassionate and dedicated workforce, using innovative practices that encourage independence, empowerment, and opportunity. The organization emphasizes ongoing education and innovative training, work-life balance, inclusion, and equity.

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) advocates for and supports adults age 22 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to be as active in their lives as possible. Support may include household maintenance; meal preparation; shopping; bathing, toileting, dressing, and teeth brushing; transportation or accompaniment to medical appointments and banking; community participation and outings; medication administration; and following Behavior Support Plans, Individual Support Plans, goals, and medical guidelines.

The position provides paid new employee orientation and paid CPR/First Aid, PABC, Defensive Driving, and Medication Administration Program (MAP) training, along with program- and person-specific training in the individual's home. DSPs must be able to safely evacuate individuals from the home in an emergency, maintain certifications, comply with agency policies, and follow DDS regulations and policies. The advertised schedule is Sunday 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Wednesday 2 p.m.–11 p.m., and Saturday 3 p.m.–11 p.m., for 23 part-time hours per week. Pay is $17.50–$19.00 per hour. Sign-on bonuses are listed as $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees.

Requirements

• Commitment to helping people with varying disabilities participate fully in their communities and lives.
• Varied interests and personal connections in the local community.
• A proven record of conscientious, responsible behavior through work, volunteer, or school history.
• Ability to work as a creative, engaged, and dedicated team member.
• Age 21 or older.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Fluent English speaking, reading, and writing skills.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule to meet program and individual needs, potentially including holidays, overnights, or double shifts.
• Ability to safely evacuate individuals from the home in an emergency.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for and support adults age 22 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to participate actively in their lives.
• Assist with household maintenance, meal preparation, shopping, bathing, toileting, dressing, and teeth brushing.
• Assist individuals with medical appointments and banking.
• Support individuals in becoming active members of their communities and accompany them on outings.
• Administer medications as needed.
• Follow Behavior Support Plans, Individual Support Plans, individual goals, and applicable medical guidelines.
• Safely evacuate individuals from the home in an emergency.
• Maintain certifications and perform job duties in compliance with agency policies and DDS regulations and policies.

Benefits

• Sign-on bonus: $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees.
• Company-paid life insurance for full-time employees.
• Health insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Earned paid time off and 40 hours of sick time.
• Employee referral bonus program.
• Tuition remission.
• Paid new employee orientation and paid CPR/First Aid, PABC, Defensive Driving, and Medication Administration Program (MAP) training.
• Program- and person-specific training.

What This Job Offers

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