Direct Support Professional (DSP)

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides quality care to individuals who have a intellectual or a developmental disability.  The DSP provides supportive services such as personal care, ambulation, homemaking, meal preparation, assist with skill building, job skills and daily living skills in the home care setting.

Shifts could include: early mornings, late afternoons, and/or early evenings. 

• Follow the instructions and the established individual service plan created for each individual.
• Provide or assist individuals with activities of daily living: bathing in bed, tub, or shower; care of hair (including shampoo, combing and brushing); care of teeth and mouth (including denture care); nail care (filing only); skin care (including pericare and applying lotion; transfer of patient from bed to chair and to wheelchair; transfer of patient on and off bedpan, commode and toilet; assist patient in preparing for bed; position patient in bed as directed; assist with ambulation (including cane, walker and crutches); personal care dressing of patient; medication reminder; and any other activities of daily living assigned.
• Assist with household tasks, including sweeping, mopping, trash, dishes, dusting, laundry, and related duties assigned.
• Prepare meals as required upon individual’s preferred/prescribed diet; may need to feed the individual if required.
• Accompany the individual into the community setting for social or recreational activities or to medical appointments and performing approved errands, as needed.
• Remain alert to individual’s behavior/physical changes and notify the supervisor immediately.
• Provide individualized training for individuals in compliance with healthcare professionals instructions and other specific guidelines.
• Advancing individual decision making, and productivity by promoting independence daily activities in such work, learning and leisure.
• Provide a clean and safe environment within the home, including safe use of equipment such as side rails, oxygen, wheelchairs, assistance with Hoyer Lifts, throw rugs, etc.
• Observe and report any safety hazards found in the individual’s home.
• Observe and promptly report any significant observations or changes in individual’s condition to supervisor incidents can be witnessed or not witnessed events and can include such things as falling, visit to ER or hospital, no electric in the home, no food in the home, unwanted visitors in the home, etc.
• Properly and accurately record time worked via the mobile app and Electronic Visit Verification program for every visit.
• Record accurately the tasks performed for each individual.
• Ensure confidentiality of the individuals records and information.
• Learn and maintain knowledge of emergency procedures.
• Attend and complete required employee in-services/ meetings and compliance documents in a timely manner.
• Learn and follow organizational policies and procedures regarding infection control, disposal of hazardous waste and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience Desired

• • Previous experience as a Direct Support Professional

OR

• Minimum of 1-year experience in a related field

OR

• Current STNA

OR

• Home Health Aide 75-hour training certificate
• Current driver’s license and access to dependable transportation
• Must have current CPR/First Aid certification
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the individual’s needs.
• Ability to address and respond to all individual situations.
• Passion to deliver exceptional, comprehensive care to individuals in their homes.
• Can successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.