Direct Support Professional

Your Choice Home Care

Position Title: Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Company Overview: Your Choice Home Care is dedicated to providing exceptional home care services to our clients, ensuring their comfort, dignity, and quality of life. We are committed to delivering personalized care and support, tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Our team is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of our clients and their families. Learn more about us at yourchoicenj.com.

Position Summary: A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a coach, advocate, and trusted professional who helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build skills, increase independence, and live the life they choose. DSPs focus on promoting empowerment and long-term growth by helping our clients do what they can for themselves with support when needed.

This is an active role that allows our clients to build confidence, skills, and a fulfilling life. This role does not take over tasks for the individual but instead guides them in completing them. DSPs also support documentation, communication, routines, and at times medical and physical support.

DSPs understand not one size fits all when it comes to care. Some days are smooth while others are emotionally demanding. While behaviors can happen, DSPs always ensure emotional consistency and client dignity.

Work Environment: DSPs work in a changing environment that adjusts to the needs of the individuals receiving services. The support the DSP will provide may be provided at the individual’s home, work, school, church, and other various locations out in the community.  DSPs need to be flexible and able to adjust to changing needs or activities of the individual receiving services.

About you: You understand this role is more than supervision. You’re an experienced DSP who demonstrates empathy, advocacy, structure, and emotional resilience. You think outside the box and enjoy watching others succeed. You communicate professionally, remain dependable, and thrive in people centric roles. You want to make a positive difference in the world.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Assist individuals to meet needs and develop an effective support relationship.
• Provide person-centered supports that recognize the rights of each individual and help them to live the life they choose.
• Ensure the safety of the individuals receiving services.
• Assist individuals with daily personal care, including bathing, toileting, and dressing as needed.
• Assist individuals with basic housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming, washing dishes, laundry, and tidying.
• Assist individuals with planning appointments and organizing their schedules.
• Assist individuals with shopping for groceries, preparing meals, and meal clean up.
• Assist individuals with budgeting and shopping for items they need and/or want.
• Help individuals arrange and participate in social, recreational, and other community activities based on their preferences and choices.
• Ensure that required documentation is complete and in compliance with DDD/DHS regulations and standards.
• Collaboration with DDD/DHS for any investigations, inspections, or inquiries. 
• Collaborate with families and support team members to help provide the best opportunities.
• Completion and maintenance of active CPR/First Aid certification
• Completion and maintenance of all DDD/DHS trainings/continuing education requirements per Appendix E of the CCP and SP manuals and any other specialized trainings relating to the services being delivered/individual being served.
• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least one year of professional or personal experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Valid Driver’s license (if applicable).
• Successful completion of initial and ongoing Background and Exclusion Checks, fingerprinting, drug testing, and other pre-employment screening, as applicable to comply with NJ DDD Supports Program or Community Care Program Policy & Procedures Manuals.
• Position Type: Varies – Full-time and Part-time schedules are possible
• Work Location: Varies – In-Home/Community Based Care
• Supervisor: Family Advisor
• Supervision Authority: This position has no direct reports.
• DSPs are expected to maintain continuous active supervision and attention to the Individual receiving services, including maintaining “eyes on” supervision appropriate to the Individual’s assessed needs, acuity, and service plan.

Education, Experience, and Skills:

• High school diploma or equivalent 
• At least one year of professional or personal experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Job Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Valid Driver’s license (if applicable).
• Successful completion of initial and ongoing Background and Exclusion Checks, fingerprinting, drug testing, and other pre-employment screening, as applicable to comply with NJ DDD Supports Program or Community Care Program Policy & Procedures Manuals. 

Additional Information:

• Position Type: Varies – Full-time and Part-time schedules are possible
• Work Location: Varies – In-Home/Community Based Care
• Supervisor: Family Advisor
• Supervision Authority: This position has no direct reports.
• DSPs are expected to maintain continuous active supervision and attention to the Individual receiving services, including maintaining “eyes on” supervision appropriate to the Individual’s assessed needs, acuity, and service plan.

Your Choice Home Care is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The above statements may not describe the full nature of the position but are intended to describe the general nature and level of qualifications and skills required for the position.