A Direct Support Professional (DSP) cares for people with disabilities. Direct Support Professionals encourage them to lead independent lives and to be integrated into their communities. Direct Care Professionals work for schools, companies, religious institutions and assisted living homes.

Direct Support Professionals provide assistance to disabled clients or to people recovering from serious illnesses. Examples of Direct Support Professional tasks include helping patients with daily activities, accompanying them to doctor appointments, cooking and serving meals, performing light housekeeping duties, running errands, and providing companionship. The ideal candidate should showcase in his or her resume the following assets: stamina, physical fitness, observation spirit, effective communication, attention to details, and proactivity. Based on our collection of example resumes, no formal education is required for this role, but first aid training and CPR certification represent an advantage.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establishing a secure, positive environment that nurtures residents' needs, self-expression and goals.
• Overseeing residents and taking care of their needs and performing housekeeping duties.
• Delivering individualized training and care for residents in compliance with healthcare professionals’ instructions and other specific guidelines.
• Advancing residents’ decision-making, productivity and participation in a range of activities.
• Promoting independence in daily activities, such as work, learning and leisure.
• Facilitate resident’s inclusion in the community's experiences and activities.
• Maintaining knowledge of residents’ requirements.
• Complying with facility’s policies and procedures.
• Maintaining documentation in compliance with company procedures.
• Operating facility’s vehicles in compliance with company policies and governmental statutes.
• Be a personal companion to your clients and act as a supportive friend serving their needs and working to build their independence
• Encourage and foster individuals’ preferred hobbies and interests
• Assist with and work to strengthen the individuals’ many daily living needs including but not limited to nutrition, hygiene, exercise, communication and socialization skills
• Help individuals to bathe, groom and dress, eat and drink, if necessary, always working to improve self-reliance
• Create daily schedules and plans for clients
• Help set individual goals and track client progress, noting any drastic changes, report findings to superiors
• Make phone calls and drive clients to appointments, meetings, events, etc.
• Encourage individual skill development and work towards community integration
• Develop meaningful relationships and connections with your clients to make them feel cared for and included in the community
• Follow all health and safety protocol
• Help clean and tidy home for the individuals
• Attend continued education courses, training and get further certified as the job requires
• Be a compassionate, patient and encouraging support professional at all times; you are a caregiver, cheerleader and advocate rolled into one and your work can change the lives of many for the better

Physical Requirements:
DSP’s to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Certification /Educational Requirements:

• High School Diploma, GED, or suitable equivalent.
• Bloodborne, CPR and first aid certification.
• APD Training in Train.org Or must be completed within 48 hours of being offered the position
• Completion of provided training.
• Completion of criminal background check and health screening.
• 6 months social service or life experience with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Valid driver’s license, own reliable vehicle and good driving record.
• Comfortable with assisting residents with hygiene and medical routines.
• Availability to work shifts.
• Outstanding organizational and people skills.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $15.00 - $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 32 – 40 per week

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• Overtime

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Caregiving: 2 years (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)
• Night Shift (Preferred)
• Overnight Shift (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Fort Myers, FL: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person