Direct Support Professional 

Classification
Nonexempt Hourly

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range
$13.80 - $16.00

Reports to
Program Supervisor

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective 
The Direct Support Professional is responsible for the safety, care, and support of adults with developmental disabilities (“consumers”). Duties include supporting consumers with goals established in their person centered plans (PCP), community inclusion for the consumer, documenting events and activities that occur throughout the day with the consumer through the use of several State of Maine and proprietary forms, and in some instances personal care. Must have COVID 19 Vaccination with copy of card provided at time of interview.

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Consumer Care
   1. The Direct Support Professional (DSP) will support consumers at home and in the community with activities of daily living (ADL).
   2. DSPs should know each member’s PCP goals and work actively to achieve or work towards those goals on a regular basis.
   3. DSPs need to communicate with their supervisors if they are going into the community and immediately notify the Program Supervisor or Team Lead if there is a change in plans.
   4. Every change of plan should be approved by the Program Supervisor or Team Lead.
   5. Assure consumers access the community daily.
   6. Provide personal care as needed, including bathing, helping to go to the bathroom, changing adult diapers, etc.
2. Documentation
   1. Program Books should be maintained according to policies and standards
      1. Medication Book
      2. Therap documentation done every hour.

• Behavioral/ Minor incident documentation

1. All daily logs must be completed fully for the shift the DSP worked.
2. Daily reports on behaviors and minor incidents that occurred must be documented and filed in the electronic records.
3. All Reportable Events should be communicated immediately within the hour of their occurrence to the Program Supervisor or Team Lead.

1. Medications and Medical
   1. DSPs will ensure consumers are on time for all medical appointments.
   2. DSPs will verify with Program Supervisors or Team Leads that all Mainecare funded appointments are entered into Logisticare beforehand. If trips are not entered into Logisticare beforehand they will not be reimbursed.
   3. A Physician order form must be filled out for all appointments and filed appropriately in the medication book.
   4. DSPs will follow all treatment plans (Positive support plan, behavioral management plan, etc) while at home and in the community.
2. Program Administration:
   1. Money Management
      1. Activity money should only be spent on activities for the consumer. No activity money should be spent for the benefit of the DSP. Receipts are required for all uses of activity money and should be turned into the Program Supervisor.
   2. Cleanliness:
      1. The consumers’ home (including consumers’ rooms) should be cleaned every day, dishes should be washed after every meal, consumers should always have clean, appropriate clothing available. Assure at all times that there is a great environment for your consumer. 
      2. Report all damages and house maintenance issues immediately to the Program Supervisor or Team Lead.
   3. Fire Drills:
      1. DSPs will help conduct fire drills with consumers, twice a month.
   4. Mileage reimbursement staff paperwork
      1. All mileage reimbursement requests for the month are due to the program supervisor no later than the first Friday of the following month. Failure to do so may result in not being reimbursed for mileage.
   5. Communication
      1. Communicate with your consumers and co-workers every day. Open and honest professional communication is the key to building trust and good teamwork.
   6. Timekeeping
      1. It is the DSPs responsibility to accurately keep track of all hours worked and to submit hours worked no later than Monday 9AM following the last Sunday of a pay period. 

Characteristics of an ideal candidate:

1. Positive attitude; creates a good environment around them
2. Effective communicator; speaks up about needs and clarifies any miscommunication, able and willing to interact with and work to understand individuals with regressive or expressive language challenges.
3. Caring and compassionate; can empathize with individuals and ensure all people are cared for the way they would want to be cared for.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Work Environment
This job typically operates in the shared home of two adults with developmental disabilities, although there may be periods of time where only one adult with developmental disabilities is living in the home. This role routinely involves multiple community settings.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 50 pounds. This position may require lifting or helping with the mobility of adults with developmental disabilities with or without support devices and/or multiple staff.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is an hourly position with various scheduled available

Travel
Travel is generally not expected for this position due to the hours, but may be required and will be reimbursed at $0.42 per mile as long as all travel policies are followed.

Requirements

1. High School Diploma or equivalent
2. Driver’s License (US or International), Insurance, and Reliable Vehicle
3. Current State of Maine DSP License (or will obtain within 3 months of hire)
4. Current Adult First Aid/CPR Certification (or will obtain before starting work)
5. Current Safety Care v.6 Certification (or will obtain within 60 days of hire)
6. Ability to stay awake the whole shift (no sleeping)

Preferred Education and Experience

1. At least 1 year of experience as a DSP
2. CRMA Certification (or willingness to obtain)

Work Authorization/Security Clearance 
Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.