What does a Direct Support Professional do?
Direct support professionals are responsible for the day-to-day care of the sick and the elderly. They help maintain the home of their client and try to develop their skills so they can take care of themselves. Direct support professionals help the client eat, bathe, dress, and drink if necessary. They also help encourage their clients to be more independent and follow their interests and hobbies.
Direct support professionals do not need to have any experience in this position. They should also have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. They also need to have a driver's license and a CPR certification. Direct support professionals should be able to plan out a client's day and ensure that they get to all of their necessary appointments. They must have the ability to juggle multiple clients and stay on top of all of them.
- Ensure the their clients receive their medicine
- Take clients to their doctor appointments
- Create daily schedules for their clients
- Log all day-to-day activities
- Help clients maintain their home by cleaning and doing laundry
- Prepare meals for the client
- Help the client gain more independence
- Set short and long term goals for the client
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Valid driver's license
- CPR certified
- Positive attitude and ability to talk to anyone
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Ability to handle stressful situations well
- Great communication skills
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- Ability to pass a background check
Direct Support Professional Salaries
Average Base Pay
Direct Support Professional Career Path
Learn how to become a Direct Support Professional, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Direct Support Professional Insights
Rock House“Was able to keep good grades in college with the flexibility of the schedule and enjoyed the clients I worked with”
Allied Healthcare“The job itself is great and working as a disability support worker is extremely rewarding.”
“Incompetent and out of touch management whose priority is only filling shifts and nothing else.”
ResCare Community Living“Good for people who love to help other people and pay is not an option.”
AHL Healthcare Group“This job can provide a good work/life balance and help promote your compassion and understanding of others.”
ResCare Community Living“Former supervisor made false claims and also made threats of bodily harm to that supervisor and nothing was done.”
“I dont like bashing CIS because I really like the company but the pay really is terrible.”
“The 12 hour night shift gets paid the same as the 12 hour day shift which is minimum wage.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Direct Support Professional
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