Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Job Description and Qualifications

A Direct Support Professional, or Direct Support Care Professional, cares for individuals experiencing developmental or intellectual disabilities or illnesses. Their main duties include helping client’s Activities of Daily Living (ADL), complete basic housekeeping tasks, transporting individuals to appointments or other social outings and keeping them safe from potential health hazards in their surrounding environment.

The DSP reports to the Program Supervisor.

Direct Support Professional duties and responsibilities includes:

· Teaching self-care skills

· Cooking meals

· Completing laundry

· Assisting clients with daily personal tasks, including bathing and dressing

· Completing housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming, washing dishes and tidying

· Help to plan client’s appointments and organize a schedule

· Organize transportation for client’s appointments

· Shopping for groceries and preparing meals that meet specific client dietary needs

· Encouraging client engagement in social networks and communities

General Qualifications:

• Reliable transportation
• Valid auto insurance and Driver’s license
• Clean driving record
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• High school diploma or GED
• Covid-19 Vaccine (including booster when eligible) per NJ Executive Order 283
• Applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

Skills and Ability:

· Ability to read and write English language.

Background and ongoing Requirements

· Employees are required to submit to a criminal background check, and be determined to be not disqualified by the Department of Human Services prior to working with individuals we served.

· Employees will agree to have their name checked against the Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

· Employees hired after 6/15/18 shall submit to drug testing prior to employment

· All employees shall submit to drug testing initial, random, and for cause.

· All employees shall complete an application to have their name checked against the Child Abuse Registry Information (CARI).

Required Training and/or Certifications

· Employee must successfully complete and demonstrate proficiency in all areas of required training as per DDD Standards.

· CPR, First Aid, Emergency Procedures.