Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Pay Rate:
Our compensation is competitive within the market. The starting rate for this position begins at $18.00 per hour, with your final offer based on a combination of your education, relevant experience, and overall qualifications. Retention Bonus Opportunity!$1,000 Full-Time$500 Part-Time (20+ hours/week) Stay & Earn: Half of your bonus is paid at 90 days, with the remaining half paid at 180 days.
Position Summary:
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is the primary frontline caregiver and implementer of services within Community Living homes. DSPs work directly with individuals served to implement their Individual Support Plans (ISP) and Behavior Support Plans (BSP) and are responsible for ensuring continuous supervision, meaningful engagement, safety, and consistency of care throughout their assigned shifts. DSPs are accountable for the daily condition of the home, the quality of interactions with individuals served, and the faithful execution of all assigned supports. This role requires active participation, attentiveness, and follow-through at all times. This is a safety-sensitive position. DSPs must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, including maintaining continuous alertness, providing direct supervision, driving individuals served as required, and administering medications as trained. DSPs implement supports using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), working in close collaboration with Behavioral Clinicians to carry out evidence-based interventions, skill-building programs, and behavior support strategies with fidelity.
Qualifications
Education & Experience:- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- Prior experience in direct support, residential services, or behavioral health preferred but not required
- Willingness to work with individuals with complex behavioral, developmental, or medical needs
- Skills & Competencies
- Valid driver's license meeting transportation requirements (Missouri Class E, out-of-state equivalent, or CDL with Passenger/School Bus endorsement).Ability to follow written plans and verbal direction accurately and consistently
- Strong supervision, engagement, and observation skills
- Working knowledge of Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and Individual Support Plans (ISPs)
- Ability to implement BSPs and ISPs with fidelity
- Basic documentation and technology skills
- Ability to maintain emotional regulation and professionalism
- Dependability, accountability, and teamwork
- Willingness to learn, accept coaching, and improve performance
- Ability to identify issues and escalate concerns appropriately
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated reliability, accountability, and professionalism
- High accountability and follow-through
- Knowledge of crisis management, safety, and compliance standards
Key Responsibilities:- Dignity FirstTreats all individuals with dignity, respect, and compassion
- Uses person-centered and trauma-informed language at all times
- Protects the physical and emotional safety of individuals served
- Immediately addresses behaviors or conditions that compromise dignity or safety
- Person-Centered Outcomes
- Implements ISP and BSP interventions exactly as written
- Implements behavior support and skill-building interventions using ABA principles and evidence-based practices
- Maintains fidelity to clinical programming and seeks clarification when plans are unclear or barriers arise
- Provides continuous supervision based on individual needs
- Supports choice, autonomy, and self-determination within plan guidelines
- Communicates observations, concerns, and changes to the appropriate party
- Connected Community
- Actively engages individuals in daily routines, relationships, and activities
- Supports participation in community outings, recreation, and appointments
- Models positive social interaction and inclusion
- Builds trust and rapport with individuals served
- Whole Person Support
- Assists individuals with activities of daily living, including toileting, hygiene, meals, mobility, and medication administration as trained
- Supports physical, emotional, behavioral, and social needs
- Observes changes in health or behavior and reports promptly
- Follows all health, safety, and medication protocols
Transports individuals served to appointments, outings, and community activities as required.
Empowerment Through Daily Life
Encourages independence and skill development during daily routines
Uses everyday activities as opportunities for learning and growth
Reinforces progress and positive behavior
Maintains structured, predictable routines
Integrity In Action
Completes all required documentation accurately and on time (shift reviews, logs, MARs, incident reports)
Follows all BHA policies, procedures, and ethical standards
Maintains confidentiality and professionalism
Accepts responsibility for assigned duties and outcomes
Collaborative Teamwork
Works cooperatively with other DSPs, Shift Supervisors, Clinical team members, Program Managers, and external stakeholders
Accepts direction, feedback, and coaching
Communicates clearly regarding shift issues, client needs, or concerns
Assists with delegated tasks as assigned
Works closely with Behavioral Clinicians (BCBAs/Behavior Specialists) to implement BSPs, skill-acquisition programs, and environmental strategies
Participates in coaching, modeling, and feedback to improve ABA implementation and outcomes
Consistency and Compassion
Maintains continuous supervision and engagement of individuals served
Follows daily schedules, routines, and expectations consistently
Responds calmly and appropriately during crisis situations using PCM techniques
Supports a stable, safe, and predictable home environment
Daily Operational Responsibilities
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary home environment throughout the shiftEnsure individuals have required meals, supplies, and personal items
Complete assigned cleaning, household, and safety tasks
Actively engage individuals; passive supervision is not acceptable
Implement ISP/BSP supports consistently across the shift
Complete all required documentation before the end of the shiftEnsure individuals' daily care needs are met, including completion of personal hygiene routines, support with dressing and grooming as needed, and preparation and provision of healthy, well-balanced meals in accordance with individual care plans, dietary guidelines, and household routines.
Ensure the incoming shift is informed of the activities/needs of the individuals served before leaving their shift
Implements reinforcement strategies, prompting procedures, and behavior-reduction strategies as outlined in BSPs and clinical programming
Collects required behavioral and skill-acquisition data accurately and in real time, per clinical direction
Accountability & ImpactDSPs are directly accountable for the safety, care, and daily experience of individuals served during their shifts.
DSPs are accountable for ensuring:
Continuous supervision and meaningful engagementISP and BSP implementation with fidelity
A clean, safe, and organized home environment
Accurate and timely documentation
Immediate action to address safety, cleanliness, or care concerns within their control
Required documentation (shift reviews, checklists, logs, behavioral data collection, MARs, incident reporting) is completed accurately, thoroughly, and on time
Safety hazards, cleanliness issues, or environmental concerns are addressed immediatelynot simply reported
Individuals served receive appropriate engagement, supervision, meals, and supports during the shift
Following BHA timekeeping, documentation and company policies and guidelines
Implementation of ABA-based interventions and data collection with fidelity, consistency, and integrityDSPs are expected to take action to resolve issues within their control and to escalate concerns appropriately when resolution is not possible at the shift level. Raising concerns