Direct Support Professionals

What are Direct Support Professionals?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide all supports necessary for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities to successfully live in their communities. DSPs are advocates for individuals presenting with intellectual, physical, medical, and behavioral challenges, and protect their rights to make choices about their lives. DSP duties include meeting medical and behavioral health needs, and teaching workplace, social, and activities of daily living skills. Direct Support professionals often provide personal care and assist with mobility and transfers. DSPs are responsible for completing complex documentation and complying with oversight and training regulations.

Why you should consider a career as a Direct Support Professional:

A career as a DSP provides an employment experience with a great deal of flexibility and variety. DSPs work full or part time, during day, evening, overnight, or weekend shifts. DSPs provide diverse supports in residential, day habilitation, employment, community inclusion, or recreation services for individuals with a wide variety of challenges. DSPs have the opportunity to make a valuable impact – on a daily basis – on the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

 

 


Residential DSP Duties may include:

  • Supporting individuals living in group homes or other living situations
  • Assisting individuals working towards goals such as improving social skills
  • Assisting with or providing personal care
  • Overseeing or administering medication
  • Advocating for and monitoring physical and mental health needs
  • Supporting individuals with the completion of daily living activities such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry
  • Exploring and facilitating community recreation experiences
  • Completing all necessary documentation of care and associated recordkeeping

Day Habilitation DSPs duties may include:

  • Supporting individuals learning skills related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization
  • Assisting individuals with building workplace skills such as effective communication, appropriate conduct, following directions, and attending to tasks
  • Providing and facilitating opportunities for community-based recreational and educational activities
  • Assisting with or providing personal care
  • Overseeing or administering medication
  • Advocating for and monitoring physical and mental health needs
  • Completing all necessary recordkeeping for documentation of service provision

Supported Employment DSPs duties may include:

  • Assisting individuals to build workplace skills such as effective communication, appropriate conduct, following directions and attending to tasks
  • Supporting individuals in the process of discovery related to obtaining, maintaining, or advancing in employment objectives
  • Assisting individuals with job performance and interacting with co-workers
  • Completing all necessary recordkeeping for documentation of service provision

Recreation/Community Inclusion DSP Duties may include:

  • Supporting individuals with community activities such as swimming, cooking, dances, and Special Olympics
  • Modeling appropriate behavior, encouraging social interaction, and facilitating positive experiences
  • Promoting independence and participation
  • Assisting with or providing personal care including medication administration
  • Completing all necessary recordkeeping for documentation of service provision

Why you should consider a career as a DSP at SCARC:

DSPs at SCARC are eligible for an impressive array of benefits including medical, dental, 401k, life insurance, and benefit time including paid holidays (See details). Comprehensive training is provided to all DSPs as well as continuing education. SCARC promotes employee excellence and commitment with a range of employee and program recognition awards.

Minimum requirements for employment at SCARC:

  • 18 years of age
  • high school diploma/GED
  • Basic computer skills
  • valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
  • acceptable criminal background check

 

Ann Marie

“ I love my job here at SCARC. The joy I get personally from being around our individuals all week is truly rewarding. They touch my heart in ways no one else has. When out in the community with a group of our individuals I am often stopped by people and praised for my job. I always say thank you but then tell them it is I who is truly blessed working with them.”

- Ann Marie