DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Job Posting Title

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP)

Job Description

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a member of the interdisciplinary care team who provides compassionate, person-centered support to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health challenges. The DSP assists individuals in achieving their fullest potential by promoting independence, health, safety, dignity, and community inclusion. Through trauma-informed care, skill development, and individualized support, the DSP helps individuals achieve goals identified in their Individual Service Plan (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP), and other person-centered planning documents. The DSP embraces the organization's mission by fostering a culture of compassion, hope, service, collaboration, and respect.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

Direct Duties

• Assists individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, household maintenance, laundry, shopping, and community participation.
• Supports individuals in developing skills necessary to increase independence and maximize quality of life.
• Encourages individuals to achieve personal goals and reach their fullest potential.
• Promotes self-determination, choice, and community inclusion.
• Assists individuals in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships and community connections.
• Creates and maintains a safe, supportive, and person-centered environment.
• Provides supervision, guidance, and support consistent with individualized plans and supervision requirements.
• Implements Individual Service Plans (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plans (IHP), Behavior Support Plans (BSP), and other clinically relevant supports.
• Monitors progress toward individual goals and documents outcomes accordingly.
• Documents interactions, services provided, and activities in accordance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to crisis situations following agency procedures and best practices.
• Utilizes trauma-informed interventions to support individuals during periods of stress or behavioral challenges.
• Recognizes and reports suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with medication administration and medication documentation as authorized and trained.
• Provides transportation to medical appointments, employment programs, educational activities, recreational opportunities, family visits, religious services, and other approved destinations.
• Assists individuals in participating in community-based activities and personal interests.
• Participates in ISP development, implementation, and outcome monitoring.
• Assists with residential licensing activities and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation including:
  • Medication Administration Records (MARs)
  • Daily logs
  • Goal tracking forms
  • Incident reports
  • Sleep/Awake documentation
  • Weight monitoring documentation
  • Seizure records
  • Fire drill records
  • Behavior tracking documentation
  • Transportation and vehicle logs
  • Consumer fund documentation
  • Other required program records
• Completes electronic timekeeping and payroll documentation accurately.
• Attends all required staff meetings, trainings, supervision sessions, and competency reviews.
• Responds to emergency and on-call situations as requested.
• Works collaboratively with Residential Managers, Lead DSPs, families, guardians, clinicians, support coordinators, and community providers.
• Provides trauma-informed care and support in all aspects of service delivery.
• Performs special projects and program-related assignments as requested.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Other Responsibilities

• Successfully completes all required orientation, pre-service, annual, and in-service training requirements.
• Implements individualized behavioral, habilitation, and healthcare plans.
• Teaches adaptive living skills and supports personal growth and development.
• Maintains confidentiality of all client and organizational information.
• Assists with maintenance of individual and program files, monthly reports, and regulatory documentation.
• Participates in assessment activities and identification of support needs.
• Fully cooperates during audits, inspections, licensing reviews, and investigations.
• Maintains professional and respectful interactions with individuals served, family members, coworkers, and community stakeholders.
• Promotes dignity, choice, inclusion, and individual rights.
• Participates in quality improvement activities and program development efforts.
• Performs other duties necessary to support quality care and service delivery.

ADHERE TO AND FOLLOW

• The By-Laws of the Corporation and as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, or mental illness preferred.
• Direct support, healthcare, human services, residential, or community-based experience preferred.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Valid non-provisional driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to meet all licensing, screening, and regulatory requirements.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping abilities.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office applications, email, electronic documentation systems, and timekeeping software.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and practices.
• Ability to effectively support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with individuals served, families, coworkers, supervisors, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work flexible schedules based on program needs.

Job Competencies

Person-Centered Support

Provides individualized supports that honor choice, dignity, independence, and self-determination.

Effective Communication

Communicates professionally and effectively with individuals served, family members, coworkers, and community stakeholders.

Trauma-Informed Care

Applies trauma-informed principles to create safe, supportive, and empowering environments.

Community Inclusion

Supports meaningful participation in community life, relationships, and activities.

Behavioral Support

Implements individualized behavioral interventions and support strategies consistently and effectively.

Documentation & Compliance

Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation consistent with regulatory and agency requirements.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Uses sound judgment and decision-making skills to address challenges and support positive outcomes.

Professionalism & Ethics

Maintains confidentiality, integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Organization & Time Management

Effectively manages responsibilities, priorities, scheduling requirements, and documentation.

Stress Tolerance

Maintains professionalism and composure in crisis situations, emergencies, and high-stress environments.

Network Functions

Vehicle Requirements

• Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance as applicable.
• Reliable transportation when required.
• Ability to safely operate agency vehicles and passenger vans.

Equipment/Machines

Equipment Operations

• Telephone
• Cellular phone
• Computer
• Copier
• Fax machine
• Calculator
• Agency vehicles and passenger vans
• Residential and adaptive support equipment

Computer Software Applications

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) and agency documentation systems
• HRIS and payroll systems
• Agency-specific software applications

Physical Demands

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, kneel, reach, and climb stairs throughout the workday.
• Ability to assist individuals with personal care, mobility, and daily living activities.
• Ability to sit for approximately 2–3 hours per shift.
• Ability to stand and work for 6–8 hours per shift.
• Ability to drive a company vehicle or van for 1–4 hours per shift.
• Ability to lift and move 50 pounds or more.
• Visual and auditory ability sufficient to monitor safety and support individual needs.
• Fine motor skills sufficient to complete documentation and operate equipment.
• Ability to work a full shift in residential and community settings.

Working Conditions

• Residential homes and community living environments.
• Community locations including employment sites, medical appointments, educational settings, recreational activities, and social events.
• Indoor and outdoor environments.
• Variable schedules including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage as needed.

ACCIDENT, HEALTH HAZARD AND SECURITY KNOWLEDGE

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Right-To-Know
• HIPAA
• Security Procedures
• Fire and Safety Regulations
• Emergency Preparedness Procedures

General Requirements

• Maintain and abide by OSHA requirements and guidelines.
• Observe all Fire and Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all Agency Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all HIPAA Policies and Procedures and maintain confidentiality.
• Complete and return all Human Resources documentation as required.
• Attend all required trainings, meetings, certifications, and competency reviews.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and exercise sound judgment in all employment duties.
• Successfully complete CPR, First Aid, medication administration, and all assigned training programs.
• Comply with Department of Developmental Services (DDS) requirements and applicable state regulations.
• Document time worked accurately.

Drug-Free Workplace Statement

Apis Services maintains a drug-free workplace. Certain affiliates, programs, or states may require pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, or post-incident drug testing in accordance with applicable laws, licensing standards, contracts, and regulatory requirements. Employees must successfully complete all required screenings, abuse registry checks, criminal background checks, and other regulatory clearances as required by the affiliate and state regulations.

The statements on these pages reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified. These statements shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position. We rely on good judgment, common sense, professionalism, and teamwork.

From time to time, employees may be requested to perform other duties essential to the effective operation of the affiliate. Appropriate training will be provided when necessary.

Schedule Flexibility

Please note that work schedules are subject to change based on business needs. Flexibility in working hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency coverage, and work locations may be required.

The more you know and the more areas in which you can work within the affiliate will add value to you as a professional and contribute to the continued success of Inperium, Inc. & Family of Services.

About Company

Apis Services, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Inperium, Inc.) provides a progressive platform for delivering Shared Services to Inperium and its constellation of affiliate companies. Apis Services and its affiliates provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This commitment extends to every phase of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, and termination.