Direct Support Professional

About the Role

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities by providing compassionate and personalized care. This position involves supporting individuals in their daily activities, promoting independence, and ensuring their health and safety in a respectful and dignified manner. The DSP collaborates closely with families, healthcare providers, and other team members to develop and implement individualized support plans. This role requires a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment that encourages personal growth and community involvement. Ultimately, the DSP contributes to empowering individuals to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives within their community.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, meal preparation, and medication management.
• Support individuals in participating in community activities and social events to promote inclusion and independence.
• Monitor and document health status, behaviors, and progress towards personal goals, reporting any concerns to supervisors or healthcare professionals.
• Implement individualized support plans tailored to each person's unique needs and preferences.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and supportive living environment that respects the dignity and rights of each individual.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to pass background checks and any required health screenings.
• Basic understanding of developmental disabilities and a compassionate approach to care.
• Strong communication skills to effectively interact with individuals, families, and team members.
• Reliable transportation to and from the job location at 104 East Gait Drive-6204W.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working as a Direct Support Professional or in a related caregiving role.
• Certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Training or coursework related to developmental disabilities or behavioral health.
• Ability to handle emergency situations calmly and effectively.
• Familiarity with documentation and reporting software used in care settings.

Skills

The skills required for this role are applied daily to provide high-quality, person-centered support. Effective communication skills enable the DSP to build trusting relationships with individuals and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Compassion and patience are essential when assisting with personal care and responding to challenging behaviors. Organizational skills are used to maintain accurate records and follow individualized support plans consistently. Additionally, problem-solving abilities help the DSP adapt to changing situations and ensure the safety and well-being of those they support.

 

Benefits

Merakey offers competitive compensation plans and more!

• DailyPay
• Work/Life Balance
• Flexible Schedules
• Cell Phone Discount Plans
• Employee Referral Bonuses

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Qualifications

Position Requirements:

• A verifiable high school diploma or GED is required.
• A current and valid driver's license is required
• Age 18 or older

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