What are the responsibilities and job description for the Direct Support Professional position at Onewell Healthcare - Ohio?
Direct Support Professional Job Description
A Direct Support Professional (DSP) works with individuals who have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This role focuses on providing tailored support that helps individuals with IDD lead independent, healthy, and fulfilling lives. This role works in both home and community-based settings and involves working closely with individuals to support them with activities of daily living and social integration.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Assisting with Daily Living and Personal Care:
Personal Hygiene: Support with bathing, grooming, and dressing.
Feeding: Assist with meal preparation and eating when necessary.
Medication: Remind or assist with medication administration according to the care plan.
Toileting and Hygiene Needs: Provide assistance as needed, ensuring privacy and dignity.
2. Promoting Independence and Skill Building:
Help individuals develop life skills such as money management, shopping, and home maintenance.
Encourage independence in activities of daily living through step-by-step instruction and support.
Facilitate the learning and development of social and communication skills.
Promote inclusion in social, educational, and recreational activities.
3. Behavioral Support:
Monitor and assist with managing challenging behaviors using strategies in the individual’s behavior plan, if applicable.
Provide emotional support and help individuals develop coping mechanisms for anxiety, frustration, or other emotional needs.
4. Health and Safety Monitoring:
Observe and report changes in health, behavior, or emotional well-being to supervising Program Specialist.
Assist with mobility needs, including transfers, walking, and wheelchair assistance, as needed.
Ensure the environment is safe, clean, and conducive to well-being.
Assist in creating and maintaining a structured routine for the individual to follow.
5. Documentation and Reporting:
Maintain accurate records on activities, health status, progress, and incidents through use of daily service note submission.
Daily submission of service notes for each shift, with appropriate GPS locations defined.
Document behavior patterns, achievements, and challenges to ensure continuity of care.
Communicate with family members, supervisors, and other care team members as needed.
6. Community Engagement and Social Integration:
Support individuals in accessing and participating in community events, social activities, and employment opportunities.
Assist individuals in making and maintaining relationships with peers and others.
Facilitate the development of social skills, helping individuals navigate social environments.
7. Health Monitoring:
Monitor any health conditions (such as seizures, diabetes, or other chronic conditions) and assist with medical appointments and treatments.
Maintain and promote a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, diet, and general wellness.
8. Team Collaboration and Support:
Work with other staff members, including nurses, behavior specialists, and supervisors, to ensure consistent, holistic care for individuals.
Participate in team meetings to discuss individual progress and any adjustments needed to care.
Qualifications:
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience:
Prior experience in caregiving or direct support for individuals with IDD is highly desirable.
Clearance Requirements:
BCI, required and FBI (if resident of Ohio for less than 5 years)
Motor Vehicle Check
Authorization to work in the United States
First Aid and CPR
Additional exclusionary checks, as applicable
Reports to: Program Specialist
Competency Requirements:
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially for interacting with individuals with limited communication abilities.
Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude.
Flexibility and problem-solving abilities, particularly in response to behavioral or medical needs.
Ability to handle sensitive situations with respect, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Active Listening: Being able to listen attentively to both verbal and non-verbal cues, understanding the individual’s needs, concerns, or preferences.
Respect for Rights and Dignity: Understanding and promoting the rights of individuals with disabilities, including privacy, autonomy, and choice, while maintaining a high standard of ethics and professionalism.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to assist with physical tasks, including lifting, transferring, and helping individuals with mobility needs.
Work Environment:
DSPs can work in a variety of settings, such as:
In-home care (supporting individuals living in their own homes)
Community-based programs or recreational centers
Some positions may require flexibility in working hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts.
Benefits:
Paid vacation time accrual
Medical, Dental, Vision coverage for full time employees
401K
Daily Pay option
A Direct Support Professional (DSP) works with individuals who have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This role focuses on providing tailored support that helps individuals with IDD lead independent, healthy, and fulfilling lives. This role works in both home and community-based settings and involves working closely with individuals to support them with activities of daily living and social integration.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Assisting with Daily Living and Personal Care:
Personal Hygiene: Support with bathing, grooming, and dressing.
Feeding: Assist with meal preparation and eating when necessary.
Medication: Remind or assist with medication administration according to the care plan.
Toileting and Hygiene Needs: Provide assistance as needed, ensuring privacy and dignity.
2. Promoting Independence and Skill Building:
Help individuals develop life skills such as money management, shopping, and home maintenance.
Encourage independence in activities of daily living through step-by-step instruction and support.
Facilitate the learning and development of social and communication skills.
Promote inclusion in social, educational, and recreational activities.
3. Behavioral Support:
Monitor and assist with managing challenging behaviors using strategies in the individual’s behavior plan, if applicable.
Provide emotional support and help individuals develop coping mechanisms for anxiety, frustration, or other emotional needs.
4. Health and Safety Monitoring:
Observe and report changes in health, behavior, or emotional well-being to supervising Program Specialist.
Assist with mobility needs, including transfers, walking, and wheelchair assistance, as needed.
Ensure the environment is safe, clean, and conducive to well-being.
Assist in creating and maintaining a structured routine for the individual to follow.
5. Documentation and Reporting:
Maintain accurate records on activities, health status, progress, and incidents through use of daily service note submission.
Daily submission of service notes for each shift, with appropriate GPS locations defined.
Document behavior patterns, achievements, and challenges to ensure continuity of care.
Communicate with family members, supervisors, and other care team members as needed.
6. Community Engagement and Social Integration:
Support individuals in accessing and participating in community events, social activities, and employment opportunities.
Assist individuals in making and maintaining relationships with peers and others.
Facilitate the development of social skills, helping individuals navigate social environments.
7. Health Monitoring:
Monitor any health conditions (such as seizures, diabetes, or other chronic conditions) and assist with medical appointments and treatments.
Maintain and promote a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, diet, and general wellness.
8. Team Collaboration and Support:
Work with other staff members, including nurses, behavior specialists, and supervisors, to ensure consistent, holistic care for individuals.
Participate in team meetings to discuss individual progress and any adjustments needed to care.
Qualifications:
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience:
Prior experience in caregiving or direct support for individuals with IDD is highly desirable.
Clearance Requirements:
BCI, required and FBI (if resident of Ohio for less than 5 years)
Motor Vehicle Check
Authorization to work in the United States
First Aid and CPR
Additional exclusionary checks, as applicable
Reports to: Program Specialist
Competency Requirements:
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially for interacting with individuals with limited communication abilities.
Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude.
Flexibility and problem-solving abilities, particularly in response to behavioral or medical needs.
Ability to handle sensitive situations with respect, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Active Listening: Being able to listen attentively to both verbal and non-verbal cues, understanding the individual’s needs, concerns, or preferences.
Respect for Rights and Dignity: Understanding and promoting the rights of individuals with disabilities, including privacy, autonomy, and choice, while maintaining a high standard of ethics and professionalism.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to assist with physical tasks, including lifting, transferring, and helping individuals with mobility needs.
Work Environment:
DSPs can work in a variety of settings, such as:
In-home care (supporting individuals living in their own homes)
Community-based programs or recreational centers
Some positions may require flexibility in working hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts.
Benefits:
Paid vacation time accrual
Medical, Dental, Vision coverage for full time employees
401K
Daily Pay option