Direct Support Professional
About The Position
Direct Support Professionals provide direct supervision and support to adults with disabilities in settings such as homes, community locations, and vocational sites. They address each client's specific needs, provide and teach opportunities, offer options for informed choice, and follow the client's service and support plans. They report to program supervisors. The role includes supporting household management and transportation, facilitating services, promoting health and wellness, documenting work, and helping clients build independence, self-esteem, decision-making skills, relationships, and community connections. Direct Support Professionals also support communication, crisis prevention and intervention, advocacy, organizational participation, and clients' vocational, educational, and career goals.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age; 21 years of age for driving positions.
- Have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Have some experience providing community supports to people with developmental disabilities.
- Be able to reason and problem solve.
- Have strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Have a valid driver's license.
- Have automobile insurance.
- Be willing to perform any reasonable request to meet the needs of the people served.
- Be able to use computer applications such as word processors and email efficiently.
- Be capable of working with adults with developmental disabilities by verbally communicating to instruct, demonstrate, train, and work cooperatively.
- Be able to stand, sit, bend, lift, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and move intermittently.
- Frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct supervision and support to adults with disabilities in home, community, and vocational settings.
- Address each client's specific needs and follow the client's service and support plans.
- Provide and teach opportunities and offer options for informed choice.
- Assist with household management, including meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, and decorating, and support transportation needs to maximize clients' skills, abilities, and independence.
- Participate in individual service plan development, implementation, and review.
- Promote the health and wellness of clients.
- Understand and participate in the organization's mission, vision, and values.
- Complete required documentation efficiently.
- Support clients in leading self-determining lives by providing information and support that build self-esteem, assertiveness, and decision-making.
- Use formal and informal assessment practices to respond to clients' needs, desires, and interests.
- Support clients' rights and advocate in response to challenges they face.
- Help clients identify and access formal and informal community supports.
- Support clients in developing friendships and other relationships.
- Use effective communication strategies to establish collaborative relationships with clients.
- Use appropriate crisis prevention, intervention, and resolution techniques.
- Pursue knowledge and information necessary to perform job duties.
- Support clients' vocational, educational, and career-related concerns.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
