Direct Support Professional job description
A Direct Support Professional is a highly-skilled, supportive and compassionate individual who has extensive experience caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Use this Direct Support Professional job description to advertise your vacancies and find qualified candidates. Feel free to modify responsibilities and requirements based on your needs.
Direct Support Professional responsibilities include:
- Providing assistance with resident developmental goals
- Supporting residents while maintaining a healthy and safe environment
- Assisting residents with daily living skills
Job brief
We are looking for a Direct Support Professional to join our team to assist individuals with disabilities to learn, grow and become more independent. If you enjoy interacting with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and supporting their clinical teams and families, we’d like to meet with you.
Direct Support Professional responsibilities include exhibiting compassion, supporting residents, and ensuring a safe environment. They foster independence and personal choice by guiding individuals in acquiring necessary skills, such as social behavior or interpersonal competence so individuals have greater self-reliance in their day-to-day lives.
Responsibilities
- Assist individuals with disabilities with their daily living activities
- Administer medication(s) according to guidelines
- Aid in implementing treatments, training programs, and developmental/behavioral plans
- Encourage community participation
- Document all observations and daily progress notes
- Communicate effectively with team members
- Assist individuals in performing their cleaning responsibilities
- Transport and accompany individuals to appointments, outings, and shopping
- Perform other responsibilities and duties as assigned by your supervisor
Requirements and skills
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be able to bend, stoop, push, pull, reach, sit and walk for periods of time
- Successful clearance of background checks
- Basic computer skills
- CPR/First Aid training (Preferred)
- High school diploma or equivalent
Frequently asked questions
- What does a Direct Support Professional do?
- Direct Support Professionals work directly with individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Day-to-day they assist individuals with various daily living activities like bathing, eating, administering medications, hygiene, and grooming.
- What are the duties and responsibilities of a Direct Support Professional?
- Direct Support Professionals provide support, encouragement, and a safe environment that fosters independent living. This can include helping individuals with life activities and transporting them to appointments and activities.
- What makes a good Direct Support Professional?
- A Direct Support Professional should be caring, supportive, and empowering. Other helpful skills include being able to redirect behaviors, being a positive role model, being detail-oriented, and promoting self-advocacy.
- Who does Direct Support Professional work with?
- Direct Support Professionals work with clinical teams and administrators. This could include cognitive-behavioral therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, nutritional therapists, and clinical therapists.