101-02 Direct Support Professional

Venture Community Services Inc • Spencer, MA

2d • $18 - $19

About The Position

Venture Community Services is seeking a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to advocate for and support adults age 22 and over with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The role empowers individuals to be as active and independent in their lives as possible and supports their personal care, household, health, and community-involvement needs.

Support may include household maintenance, meal preparation, shopping, bathing, toileting, dressing, and teeth brushing. DSPs may also assist with medical appointments and banking, community activities and outings, medication administration, and following Behavior Support Plans, Individual Support Plans, individual goals, and established medical guidelines. The DSP must be able to safely evacuate individuals from their home during an emergency.

Venture provides paid new employee orientation and paid CPR/First Aid, Safety Care, Defensive Driving, and Medication Administration Program (MAP) training, along with program-specific and individual-specific training in the person’s home. Employees must maintain certifications and perform job duties in compliance with Agency policies and DDS regulations and policies.

The posted schedule is Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m.–3 p.m., for 16 hours per week. The posting also says the DSP must be willing to work a flexible schedule that may include holidays, overnights, or double shifts. Pay is $17.50–$19 per hour, and a sign-on bonus is listed as $1,000 for full-time and $500 for part-time employees.

Requirements

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Speak, read, and write fluent English.
• Demonstrate a commitment to helping people with varying disabilities participate fully in their community and their own lives.
• Have varied interests and personal connections in the local community.
• Have a record of conscientious, responsible behavior through work, volunteer, or school history.
• Be able to work creatively, actively, and reliably as a member of a team.
• Be willing to work a flexible schedule that may include holidays, overnights, or double shifts.
• Be able to perform the essential functions of the job and safely evacuate individuals during an emergency.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for and support adults age 22 and over with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to participate actively in their lives.
• Assist with household maintenance, meal preparation, shopping, and personal care, including bathing, toileting, dressing, and teeth brushing.
• Assist individuals with medical appointments and banking, and support their participation in community activities and outings.
• Administer medications as needed and follow Behavior Support Plans, Individual Support Plans, individual goals, and established medical guidelines.
• Safely evacuate individuals from their home in an emergency.
• Maintain required certifications and perform job-related duties in compliance with Agency policies and DDS regulations and policies.

Benefits

• Sign-on bonus: $1,000 for full-time 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, Safety Care, Defensive Driving, and Medication Administration Program (MAP) training.
• Supportive and encouraging working environment.

What This Job Offers

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