The Direct Support Professional (DSP) supports the individual goals of children and youth to help them become integrated into their communities in the least restrictive manner. The DSP may assist in areas of mobility, activities of daily living, communication, health management, social networking, leisure time management, and community participation.
How you will change lives…
The Direct Support Professional will assist in the following areas of personal care and development:
Safety
- Monitor and ensure safety 24/7; this may be eyes- on, one-on-one, 15 or 30 minute checks, etc.
- Support crisis prevention, intervention, and resolution
Relationships
- Establish collaborative relationships built on trust and empathy through consistent and meaningful communication
- Foster a spirit of partnership with individuals served, the community, and other professionals
Activities and Daily Living Skills
- Help build effective skills for problem-solving, communication, and independence
- Assist person served to identify and/or participate in social and leisure interest and activities such as: transport/escort to stores, concerts, movies or in house social events (barbecues, movie nights, games, etc.)
- Help person served with activities of daily living to include (but not limited to): get to and from places, dressed/undressed, bathe/shower, comb hair, trim nails, restroom assistance, and cooking
Health
- Monitor vitals for any medical condition or illness
- Promote positive behavior
- Attend medical appointments and ensure accurate information is relayed between medical provider and care team
- Understand, read, and assist in the implementation of medical, behavioral, and/or clinical team care plans and provide accurate, timely, and descriptive documentation of such
Community
- Connect person served with opportunities or places in their community to develop relationships with others
- Support community participation, volunteering, career goals or employment, and educational interests
