Direct Support Professional

InCommunity•Roswell, GA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

InCommunity is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives within their communities, fostering a culture of integrity, service, and respect. The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is expected to embody these values while supporting individuals. Key responsibilities include facilitating engagement and inclusion in home and community activities, assisting with personal goals and daily living skills, and promoting positive relationships with families and friends. DSPs are also crucial in monitoring and documenting individuals' health and well-being, adhering to medical protocols, and providing necessary physical assistance. The role encompasses ensuring a safe and clean living environment, managing meal preparation, and maintaining company vehicles. Effective communication, teamwork, and professional conduct are essential, as is adherence to attendance and scheduling policies. For overnight shifts, additional duties include staying alert, conducting safety checks, and assisting with morning routines.

Requirements

Must possess a valid driver’s license and meet company driving standards, if applicable.
Ability to interact with individuals respectfully and with awareness of both verbal and nonverbal communication.
Ability to encourage and assist individuals in participating in home and community activities that reflect their interests and choices.
Ability to support individuals in identifying and working toward personal goals based on their Individual Support Plans (ISPs).
Ability to teach and assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene.
Ability to promote positive relationships between individuals, their families, and friends, including helping coordinate visits and participation in special events.
Ability to respect and support individuals’ personal and family religious or spiritual practices and choices.
Ability to model appropriate behavior and communication, maintaining professionalism, self-control, and a respectful tone at all times.
Ability to maintain a safe and comfortable home environment, assisting individuals in making personal choices.
Ability to safely transport individuals, following all company and regulatory safety procedures.
Ability to read and follow each individual’s ISP, medical protocols, and communication logs.
Ability to monitor and document individuals’ daily activities, health concerns, and behavioral changes accurately.
Ability to support personal hygiene, grooming, and dressing according to each person’s needs and preferences.
Ability to observe for changes in health status and promptly report concerns to supervisors or nursing staff.
Ability to follow medical instructions, medication guidelines, and treatment plans as directed.
Ability to accompany individuals to medical appointments, ensuring effective communication between individuals and healthcare providers.
Ability to provide physical assistance as needed, including using mechanical lifts or other equipment safely.
Ability to follow all safety and emergency procedures, including evacuation drills.
Ability to maintain clear walkways and exits; remove snow or debris when necessary.
Knowledge of how to use emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and alarms.
Ability to use adaptive and medical equipment properly as trained.
Ability to assist with meal planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, and cleanup.
Ability to prepare meals according to menus, nutrition guidelines, and individual dietary needs.
Ability to encourage family-style meals and positive mealtime conversation.
Ability to follow all food safety and labeling procedures.
Ability to maintain a clean, organized, and safe home environment.
Ability to complete assigned cleaning checklists and laundry duties according to standards.
Ability to keep company vehicles clean, fueled, and properly documented.
Ability to seek guidance from supervisors or coordinators when unsure about procedures or responsibilities.
Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with coworkers, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to collaborate as a team to ensure consistent, quality care for individuals.
Ability to demonstrate flexibility and cooperation during emergencies or unexpected situations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and refrain from gossip or sharing sensitive information about individuals, staff, or the company.
Ability to be punctual and prepared to begin your shift on time.
Ability to remain on duty until properly relieved by another staff member.
Ability to follow company attendance and scheduling policies.
Ability to stay awake and alert throughout overnight shifts.
Ability to follow the Overnight Shift Checklist, including safety, cleaning, and documentation tasks.
Ability to check on individuals at designated times, providing assistance as needed during overnight shifts.
Ability to support morning routines when applicable during overnight shifts.
Ability to follow health-related protocols and contact supervisors with any concerns during overnight shifts.
Ability to complete assigned household duties before shift end during overnight shifts.
Ability to perform frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting throughout the shift.
Ability to assist individuals with mobility needs, including transferring in and out of wheelchairs, beds, and vehicles using proper lifting techniques or mechanical lifts.
Ability to lift or move items or individuals weighing up to 25 pounds (occasionally more with team assistance or mechanical support).
Ability to perform household tasks such as cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, and light maintenance duties.
Ability to respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations, including fire drills, medical incidents, or behavioral interventions.
Visual and auditory acuity is required to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and to observe changes in behavior or health.
Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, if assigned to transport individuals.
Ability to travel frequently throughout Metro Atlanta area.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least six (6) months of experience in developmental disabilities, mental health, or aging services.
Personal or volunteer experience supporting individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Interact with individuals respectfully and with awareness of both verbal and nonverbal communication.
Encourage and assist individuals in participating in home and community activities that reflect their interests and choices (e.g., dining out, shopping, sports, church, social groups).
Support individuals in identifying and working toward personal goals based on their Individual Support Plans (ISPs).
Teach and assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene.
Promote positive relationships between individuals, their families, and friends, including helping coordinate visits and participation in special events.
Respect and support individuals’ personal and family religious or spiritual practices and choices.
Model appropriate behavior and communication, maintaining professionalism, self-control, and a respectful tone at all times.
Maintain a safe and comfortable home environment, assisting individuals in making personal choices (e.g., TV, music, or activities).
Safely transport individuals, following all company and regulatory safety procedures.
Read and follow each individual’s ISP, medical protocols, and communication logs.
Monitor and document individuals’ daily activities, health concerns, and behavioral changes accurately.
Support personal hygiene, grooming, and dressing according to each person’s needs and preferences.
Observe for changes in health status and promptly report concerns to supervisors or nursing staff.
Follow medical instructions, medication guidelines, and treatment plans as directed.
Accompany individuals to medical appointments, ensuring effective communication between individuals and healthcare providers.
Provide physical assistance as needed, including using mechanical lifts or other equipment safely.
Follow all safety and emergency procedures, including evacuation drills.
Maintain clear walkways and exits; remove snow or debris when necessary.
Know how to use emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and alarms.
Use adaptive and medical equipment properly as trained.
Assist with meal planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, and cleanup.
Prepare meals according to menus, nutrition guidelines, and individual dietary needs.
Encourage family-style meals and positive mealtime conversation.
Follow all food safety and labeling procedures.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe home environment.
Complete assigned cleaning checklists and laundry duties according to standards.
Keep company vehicles clean, fueled, and properly documented.
Seek guidance from supervisors or coordinators when unsure about procedures or responsibilities.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with coworkers, both verbally and in writing.
Collaborate as a team to ensure consistent, quality care for individuals.
Demonstrate flexibility and cooperation during emergencies or unexpected situations.
Maintain confidentiality and refrain from gossip or sharing sensitive information about individuals, staff, or the company.
Be punctual and prepared to begin your shift on time.
Remain on duty until properly relieved by another staff member.
Follow company attendance and scheduling policies.
Stay awake and alert throughout overnight shifts.
Follow the Overnight Shift Checklist, including safety, cleaning, and documentation tasks.
Check on individuals at designated times, providing assistance as needed during overnight shifts.
Support morning routines when applicable during overnight shifts.
Follow health-related protocols and contact supervisors with any concerns during overnight shifts.
Complete assigned household duties before shift end during overnight shifts.