Direct Support Professional

RHA Health Services, LLC; Terrill (KY); On-site; USD 16,531 - 22,041; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PayActiv

Discount program

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

401(k) retirement savings

Wellbeing programs

CPR training

First aid training

Job summary

RHA Health Services is hiring a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in a regular role. The DSP provides personalized support to individuals with disabilities, helping them engage in communities and achieve personal goals. The role involves assisting with needs, implementing plans, and fostering independence under supervision.

The position emphasizes advocacy, community participation, daily living skills, and adherence to state laws, with a focus on dignity, privacy, and high-quality care.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 18 years old and pass pre-employment screening.
• Compassionate, patient, and dedicated to person-centered support.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to foster independence while providing necessary support.
• Knowledge of disability rights, self-advocacy, and community integration principles.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and follow regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for individuals' human, legal, and civil rights.
• Promote health and safety by supporting wellness initiatives and accident prevention.
• Encourage self-advocacy and empower individuals in making their own choices.
• Facilitate community engagement by accompanying individuals to work, recreation, and social events.
• Teach and support independent living skills, including household management and personal care.
• Provide transportation for appointments, errands, and community activities.
• Foster social connections by supporting relationship-building within the community.
• Support informed decision-making regarding living arrangements, employment, and social activities.
• Assist with personal care tasks such as hygiene, bathing, dressing, and chores.
• Maintain accurate documentation of provided services and support.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Interpersonal skills

Person-centered support

Disability rights knowledge

Record keeping

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Overview

We are hiring for: Direct Support Professional Type: Regular

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides personalized support to individuals with disabilities, helping them engage meaningfully in their communities and achieve their personal goals. This role involves assisting individuals in identifying and expressing their needs, implementing services aligned with their person‑centered plans, and fostering independence and self‑advocacy. A successful DSP seeks to understand each individual’s history, social and family networks, and aspirations, providing support with compassion and respect. This position operates under supervision and follows established guidelines to ensure high‑quality care and advocacy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Advocate for individuals’ human, legal, and civil rights.
• Promote health and safety by supporting wellness initiatives and accident prevention.
• Encourage self‑advocacy and empower individuals in making their own choices.
• Facilitate community engagement by accompanying individuals to work, recreational activities, and social events.
• Teach and support independent living skills, including household management and personal care.
• Provide transportation for appointments, errands, and community activities.
• Foster social connections by supporting relationship‑building within the community.
• Support informed decision‑making regarding living arrangements, employment, and social activities.
• Assist with personal care tasks, such as hygiene, bathing, dressing, and household chores (laundry, cleaning, and decorating).
• Maintain accurate documentation of provided services and support.
• Understand and address challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, using effective advocacy strategies.
• Connect individuals with community resources for career development, education, and volunteer opportunities.
• Encourage effective communication, adapting to individual needs and preferences.
• Assist with medication administration in accordance with state laws and regulations.
• Ensure confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all aspects of care.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Meet all pre‑employment screening
• Compassionate, patient, and dedicated to person‑centered support
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to foster independence while providing necessary support
• Knowledge of disability rights, self‑advocacy, and community integration principles
• Ability to maintain accurate records and follow regulatory guidelines

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Must be able to regularly lift and carry up to 20 lbs. and occasionally pull at least 40 lbs.
• Must be able to squat, kneel, crawl, crouch, climb, and stoop as part of regular job duties.
• Must be able to use hands and fingers to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls.
• Required to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in CPR from floor level, which requires working on hands and knees, bending, standing, and lifting.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, and peripheral vision.
• Must be able to talk and hear.
• Exception – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs: For these programs only, employees must be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). The requirement to talk and hear does not apply.

Benefits

• Payactiv: early access to the money you’ve earned from hours you’ve already worked, before payday!
• Employee perks and discount program: to help you save money!
• Paid Time Off (full‑time employees only)
• Health/Insurance (full‑time employees only)
• 401(k) retirement savings program
• Wellbeing Programs: Physical, Emotional and Financial Chronic Disease management programs for hypertension and diabetes (for qualifying employees)
• Training: Free CPR, first aid, and job‑specific training opportunities
• *contract/contingent workers and interns do not qualify for any of the above benefits

EEO Statement

RHA is an equal opportunity employer. In addition, we provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact our solutions center. RHA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, prohibits discrimination based on the following protected categories: race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender, marital status, civil status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability.

About RHA

At RHA Health Services, we help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health and/or substance use needs live their best lives. Our mission is to provide a safe and healthy environment while creating opportunities for personal outcomes. For over 30 years, the people we serve and support have remained at the very center of everything we do. RHA currently provides services in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and New Jersey.

Throughout Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, we provide high‑quality care to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. In North Carolina and Pennsylvania, we also provide behavioral health services to support people with mental health and substance‑use needs and provide services for those who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Since 1989, we have partnered with and celebrated people achieving their personal goals, building meaningful connections, experiencing positive outcomes in health and wellness, and more. From inpatient care to community‑based services, from in‑home support to facilities of all sizes, RHA offers a range of settings where you can apply your unique skillset.

Many of our employees also experience opportunities for career growth and continued education. RHA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Council on Quality and Leadership, and we are committed to providing the highest quality of care. At RHA, we believe we all deserve the chance to live our best possible lives. We want you to join our team of compassionate professionals. To learn more, visit rhahealth.org or email us at [e-mail]. RHA Health Services – Where Compassion Meets Career.