Job Posting Title

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP)

Job Description

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is responsible for supporting individuals served in achieving their personal goals and desired outcomes as identified in their Individual Support Plan (ISP). Under the supervision of the Residential Manager or Home Coordinator, the DSP provides person-centered, trauma-informed support that promotes independence, safety, dignity, community inclusion, and quality of life. The DSP works collaboratively with individuals served, families, guardians, and interdisciplinary team members to ensure that individuals receive the support necessary to live as independently as possible while maintaining their health, wellness, and personal choice

Pay: $18/hr

Schedule: Weekday Schedule: Monday and Wednesdays 8a-12p, 3p-5p / Tuesday and Thursdays 9a-6p

Weekend schedule: Saturday 9a-5p, Sundays 12-5p

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

Direct Duties

• Assists with daily living activities, including but not limited to planning and preparing meals, housekeeping, and assisting with personal hygiene, cleaning.
  • Supports the independence of persons served by providing the assistance necessary to maximize their quality of life.
  • Models hope and optimism when encouraging persons served to achieve their potential.
  • Supports persons served in developing relationships and becoming involved in their communities.
  • Cultivates a safe and supportive relationship and environment.
  • Provides supervision and guidance to the person served to build skills and competence.
  • Documents interactions and activities per policies and procedures
  • Monitors and responds to crisis situations or potential crisis situations consistent with best practice, policies, and procedures
  • Utilizes skills and competencies to respond to crises.

• Reports suspected incidents of neglect, abuse, or mistreatment consistent with the organization's policies and procedures

  • Follow incident management reporting procedures.
  • Maintains client confidentiality and adheres to the organization's ethical code.
  • Assists in maintaining the well-being and safety of persons served.
  • May assist the consumer with daily medications. Delete this statement. RHD DSPs are REQUIRED to become med certified in PA, which varies in other states. DSPs not med certified due to not passing the test are grandfathered.
  • Performs other duties as requested or assigned, verbally or in writing.
  • Provide care that’s trauma-informed.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform the delivery of services with this organization and our consumers, to include:
  • Consumer transportation, including, but not limited to, medical appointments, community activities, school/day programming, religious services, and family visits
  • Perform all daily activities within any home setting, including, but not limited to, meal preparation, activities of daily living, shopping, household cleaning and maintenance, leisure activities, and consumer outcomes
  • Assist with community home licensing annually and home activities as prescribed in operating regulations
  • ISP development and outcomes
  • Accurate completion of required documentation paperwork to include but not limited to medication logs, daily logs, goal logs, incident reports, sleep / awake charts, weight charts, BM charts, fire drill logs, seizure logs, behavior plan documentation, gas receipts, vehicle logs, and consumer funds
  • Accurate completion of hours worked through the HRIS system to clock in/out
  • Completion of required training hours on an annual basis according to the Training year
  • Completion of Competency-Based Training as needed
  • Attend all scheduled home and office staff meetings
  • Schedule is subject to change to meet the business needs.
  • Assist with on-call activities and emergency situations as requested
  • Responsible for the safety and well-being of all the individuals residing in the home(s)
  • Administer consumer medications
  • Work with the Site Supervisor to ensure that all the needs of the individuals are met according to their ISP
  • Follow all supervision requirements of consumers as noted in the consumer ISP/BSP
  • Assist the Community Home Supervisor with special projects as related to the Agency

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; associate or bachelor's degree preferred

• Basic computer and internet literacy with the ability to utilize applications like emails, time recording and other programs to enter and retrieve data as necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and documenting in English is required
• Prior experience in the human services field preferred.
• Knowledge of and ability to work with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Valid driver’s license

Job Competencies

Person-Centered Support

Provides services and supports that promote individual choice, dignity, independence, and self-determination.

Communication

Communicates professionally and effectively with individuals served, families, coworkers, supervisors, and external stakeholders.

Community Inclusion

Supports meaningful participation in community activities and development of natural support systems.

Documentation & Compliance

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

Trauma-Informed Care

Provides services using trauma-informed and person-centered practices that promote safety, trust, and empowerment.

Safety Awareness

Promotes health, wellness, risk reduction, and emergency preparedness while maintaining safe environments.

Behavioral Support

Implements behavior support strategies and interventions in accordance with approved plans.

Organization & Time Management

Effectively prioritizes tasks, manages responsibilities, and completes assignments within required timeframes.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Identifies concerns, evaluates options, and takes appropriate action to support positive outcomes.

Professionalism & Ethics

Demonstrates integrity, accountability, ethical practice, and respect for individuals served.

Physical Demands

Physical Requirements

• Ability to assist individuals with personal care and mobility needs.
• Ability to lift, transfer, push, pull, bend, stoop, twist, reach, and climb stairs.
• Ability to stand, walk, and remain active for extended periods.
• Ability to safely assist individuals during emergencies.
• Ability to drive vehicles and accompany individuals in community activities.

Lifting Requirements

• Ability to safely lift and move individuals or objects as required by program needs and applicable safety guidelines.

Working Conditions

• Community living arrangements.
• Residential homes and community-based settings.
• Various community locations, recreational settings, healthcare facilities, and employment sites.
• Indoor and outdoor work environments.
• Evening, weekend, holiday, overnight, and flexible scheduling requirements may apply.

Drug-Free Workplace Statement

Apis Services maintains a drug-free workplace. As a general policy, pre-employment drug testing is not required for employment with Apis Services.

However, drug and alcohol testing may be required under specific circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Following a work-related vehicle accident, in accordance with applicable policy and legal requirements.
• Following a workplace incident or injury where post-incident or workers' compensation drug testing is appropriate or required.
• Certain affiliates may be subject to federal, state, licensing, regulatory, contractual, or funding agency requirements that mandate pre-employment or ongoing drug testing for specific positions or programs. In those cases, the affiliate-specific policy will govern those positions.

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 as the 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, you may be requested to perform other duties essential to the effective operation of the affiliate. Although these duties may not be be specifically identified in this job description, you will be required to perform such duties provided appropriate training has been given.

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 for all employees and applicants in compliance 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 status under applicable law. This commitment to equal opportunity extends to all phases of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and termination.