Direct Support Professional - Behavior Focused

Claratel Behavioral Health•Decatur, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

A Behavior-Focused Home Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides compassionate, one-on-one support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other conditions involving high behavioral and high-acuity needs. The DSP partners with each person to implement their Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and Behavioral Support Plan (BSP) in ways that honor their preferences, strengths, communication style, and daily routines. The role supports individuals in understanding and reducing maladaptive behaviors by teaching replacement skills, reinforcing progress, and creating supportive environments. The DSP uses proactive, evidence-based behavioral strategies, including sensory regulation supports, de-escalation, and crisis-prevention techniques, to help individuals feel safe, build independence, and stay connected to their community. The DSP observes and responds to signs of distress, documents progress and challenges respectfully, and maintains calm, respectful interactions during heightened moments, centering each individual’s dignity, choices, and goals. Work takes place in residential homes, community settings, and outdoor environments. The role involves frequent community travel and may include exposure to unpredictable behaviors, bodily fluids, noise, or challenging situations. Evening, weekend, holiday, and overtime work may be required based on staffing needs. Physical duties include standing for much of the shift, frequent movement and bending, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, assisting with mobility, and using approved physical intervention techniques when necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid Georgia Driver’s License with an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.
Ability to safely operate a 16-passenger van.
Ability to obtain and maintain CPR, First Aid, Mindset/behavioral intervention training, Defensive Driving, and state-required certifications.
Successful completion of required background checks, including criminal background check, drug screening, and MVR review.
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and accurately complete required documentation.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build supportive, professional relationships.
Basic problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to remain calm and effective during behavioral incidents or crises.
Ability to use basic computer systems for documentation and communication.
Respect for cultural, personal, and individual differences.
Ability to perform duties while standing for up to 75% of the scheduled shift.
Ability to safely and effectively use approved physical restraint techniques when necessary.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted and provide physical support to individuals with mobility needs.
Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergencies using agency-approved intervention methods and training standards.
Ability to perform frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, squatting, and reaching, and potentially push wheelchairs, assist with mobility devices, or perform approved physical interventions.

Responsibilities

Support individuals with personalized activities of daily living and social skills development across home, work, and community environments.
Ensure individuals’ health, safety, and well-being, following instructions from physicians, nursing staff, and others, including dietary instructions.
Report changes in an individual’s condition and unusual occurrences to supervisors or management promptly, and report significant changes immediately.
Report environmental risks, hazards, or barriers to supervisors or management.
Safeguard individuals’ money, possessions, and other belongings.
Help individuals maintain order and cleanliness in their environments.
Provide input into planning and implementing plans of care, including Support Plans and Behavior Support Plans.
Implement Individual Support Plans and Behavior Support Plans as written and at the specified frequency.
Collect data accurately and consistently use the support strategies described in plans.
Document services, individualized service goals, behavior support tracking, notes, communication logs, medication administration records, and other required information.
Support individuals through moderate behavioral challenges, including elopement, physical or verbal aggression, property destruction, and PICA.
Complete incident reports in the online system with required details.
Transport individuals to medical appointments, community activities, and other assigned or desired events safely, following traffic laws and driving defensively.
Communicate effectively and promptly with appropriate personnel and colleagues about individuals’ needs and their environment.
Serve as a role model and mentor, coach individuals using approved techniques, and use approved intervention techniques when needed to protect individuals and others.
Support individuals’ existing relationships and help expand their networks of friends and acquaintances.
Support individuals in exploring and expressing their interest in community membership.
Maintain HIPAA confidentiality concerning individuals, staff, and agency affairs.
Complete required training by deadlines and attend and actively participate in home staff meetings.
Contribute ideas and insights to the agency’s ongoing quality-improvement efforts.
Promote teamwork through open communication, shared responsibilities, and a positive, constructive attitude.
Interact professionally and effectively with colleagues, families, guardians, support coordinators, and approved internal and external monitors.
Assist with daily living and home activities, including cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes, household maintenance, community involvement, personal hygiene, leisure, communication, personal safety, health maintenance, medication support, and social and behavioral development.
Read the communication log at the start of a shift and complete it at the end with pertinent information about individuals and the home.
Plan, prepare, and grocery shop for meals, following special diets and nutritional instructions.
Follow Supervised Self Administration of Medication (SSAM) and Proxy Caregiver procedures, including reading and following medical and nursing instructions.
De-escalate moderate behavioral outbursts.
Complete other duties as assigned.