Direct Support Professional Job Description

Duties and Qualifications

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) cares for individuals diagnosed with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Their main duties include helping individuals complete basic ADL (activities of daily living) tasks, housekeeping tasks, transportation to and from appointments or social outings, as well as keeping them safe from potential health hazards in their surrounding environment. The Direct Support Professional is also responsible for creating a safe, positive, and encouraging atmosphere for the individual. They work closely with the individual to enhance their decision-making skills and encourage them to engage in more activities that will help strengthen their physical and mental health. Direct Support Professionals often teach individuals how to complete certain tasks on their own to promote a more independent and satisfying lifestyle.

Direct Support Professionals demonstrate a variety of professional skills and qualifications, which can include:

• Provides direct care to individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Attention to detail, especially when adhering to specific protocols and rules while carefully following instructions to care for the needs of the individual

• Integrity to ensure the individuals feel safe and comfortable when tending to personal activities such as ADLs

• Trustworthiness and dependability so individuals and their families feel comfortable relying on them

• Interpersonal skills when working with individuals, including having compassion and being sensitive to their emotional needs when they are in extreme distress or pain

• Ability to handle physical aspects of job, including bending, stooping, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, and walking for periods of time

• Performs personal care tasks, including assistance with basic personal hygiene and grooming, feeding, and ambulation, medical monitoring, and health care related tasks (where applicable).

• Fosters positive relationships between caretakers and individuals served.

• Ensures client safety and maintains a safe environment.

• Reminds and assists clients with self-administration of medications (where applicable with

  proper training).

• Encourages self-help activities.

• Reports changes in an individual's condition or family situation to administrators and

  supervisors.

• Documents services provided.

• Assist and teach home management functions such as light housekeeping, laundry, bed making,

  and cleaning.

• Assist with planning meals, shopping for groceries, preparing and serving food/meals, and clean-up.

• Transports and accompanies individuals to scheduled appointments and recreational activities.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent

• 18 years of age or older

• Valid driver’s license

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