Direct Support Professional

1621 E 42 LLC; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gardens of Arkansas is seeking a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for night shift 7 pm – 7 am. This role supports individuals in a therapeutic community, focusing on dignity, recovery, choice, and holistic well-being.

Responsibilities include person-centered care, safety, skill-building, community engagement, and teamwork with clinical and leadership staff to promote meaningful, self-directed lives while safeguarding rights and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience of one year in mental health or therapeutic settings.
• Ability to pass background checks and required screenings.
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
• Commitment to person-centered and recovery-oriented care.

Responsibilities

• Supports individuals based on personal goals, recovery plans, strengths, and preferences.
• Use trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approaches in daily interactions.
• Encourage self-determination, voice, and shared decision-making.
• Foster emotional safety, trust, and therapeutic relationships.
• Balance dignity of risk with health and safety needs.
• Monitor and report changes in mental, emotional, or physical health.
• Support medication administration per training and policy when applicable.
• Follow individualized treatment and safety plans.
• Assist individuals in developing coping skills, daily living skills, and emotional regulation.
• Encourage independence and resilience using strength-based coaching.
• Support progress toward therapeutic and life goals.
• Support participation in meaningful activities within and outside the community.
• Encourage healthy relationships and social connections.
• Promote routines that support wellness, purpose, and structure.
• Protect individual rights, confidentiality, and dignity at all times.
• Recognize and report abuse, neglect or exploitation immediately.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity, culture, and lived experience.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation reflecting outcomes and progress.
• Communicate effectively with clinical, nursing, and leadership teams.
• Participate in treatment planning, training, and team meetings.

Skills

CPR First Aid

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

About this position

The Gardens of Arkansas

Direct Support Professional-DSP

Night Shift 7 pm – 7 am

Shift B - Thursday – Saturday and every other Sunday

Position Summary

The Direct Support Professional supports individuals in a therapeutic community to live meaningful self-directed lives. The role is grounded in person-centered practices and emphasizes dignity, recovery, choice, and holistic well-being. DSPs focus on what matters to the whole individual while promoting safety, growth, and community connection.

Core Responsibilities

Person-Centered and Therapeutic Support

• Supports individuals based on personal goals, recovery plans, strengths, and preferences
• Use trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approaches in daily interactions
• Encourage self-determination, voice, and shared decision-making
• Foster emotional safety, trust, and therapeutic relationships

Health, Safety, and Emotional Well-Being

• Balance dignity of risk with health and safety needs
• Monitor and report changes in mental, emotional, or physical health
• Support medication administration per training and policy when applicable
• Follow individualized treatment and safety plans

Skill Building and Recovery Support

• Assist individuals in developing coping skills, daily living skills, and emotional regulation
• Encourage independence and resilience using strength-based coaching
• Support progress toward therapeutic and life goals

Community Integration and Meaningful Engagement

• Support participation in meaningful activities within and outside the community
• Encourage healthy relationships and social connections
• Promote routines that support wellness, purpose, and structure

Rights, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility

• Protect individual rights, confidentiality, and dignity at all times.
• Recognize and report abuse, neglect or exploitation immediately
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct
• Demonstrate respect for diversity, culture, and lived experience

Documentation and Team Collaboration

• Complete accurate and timely documentation reflecting outcomes and progress
• Communicate effectively with clinical, nursing, and leadership teams.
• Participate in treatment planning, training, and team meetings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Experience of one year in mental health or therapeutic settings
• Ability to pass background checks and required screenings
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain
• Commitment to person-centered and recovery and recovery-oriented care.