Direct Support Professional Brewster/Harwich

Cape Abilities; Brewster (MA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization is seeking a Direct Support Professional to provide assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities in Brewster, Massachusetts. Key responsibilities include facilitating independent living skills, providing one-on-one supervision, and documenting progress. Qualified candidates will have a high school diploma and some direct care experience, along with strong communication and problem-solving skills. The position requires a valid Massachusetts driver's license and involves physical tasks including lifting individuals and assisting with personal care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1 year of direct care, CNA, or human services experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license in Massachusetts required.

Responsibilities

• Provides instruction and support to individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Completes written reports and maintains communication with families.
• Assists individuals in achieving independent living and social skills.

Skills

Communication

Adaptability

Problem Solving

Integrity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates degree in psychology or related field

Job description

General Summary

The Direct Support Professional provides instruction, support, and serves as a positive role model to individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, acquired brain injury or other unique challenges. Direct Support Professionals are expected to facilitate the development of the individual program participant’s independent living, social and recreational skills as well as ensuring his/her full involvement in the local community, and, as applicable, facilitate his/her access to appropriate health care. The Direct Support Professional provides direct, active, and constructive interactions with individuals in collaboration with individual caregivers, AFC clinical staff, community members, and families.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Implements Individual Service Plan (ISP) objectives and behavior plans as defined on established service agreements.
• Prepares and forwards, as applicable, all required ISP paperwork and reports according to established procedures and deadlines.
• Provides training in personal care to individuals who require support.
• Provides one‑on‑one supervision to individual as assigned by the treatment goals, behavior plans and other relevant plans in a non‑intrusive manner to ensure individual’s safety.
• Completes written reports including program objective documentation, incident reports and other reports as directed. Maintains regular, open lines of communication and a positive rapport with family members, as applicable, the individual’s caregivers, and AFC/Shared Living staff.
• Attends required meetings and trainings.
• Adheres to established program routines and schedules, as applicable, to ensure the individual needs are met.
• Provides assistance and support to individuals with scheduling and attending social and leisure activities.
• Provides transportation to individuals to appointments and social activities.
• Ensures that the individual’s basic human rights, well‑being and safety are respected at all times.
• Adheres to all supervisory directives and follows all established protocols when providing one‑on‑one support to individuals.
• Serves as mandated reporter for suspected cases of abuse and/or neglect to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) or Elder Abuse Hotline, as appropriate.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Performs additional duties, as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• DSP- IS, AFC, SL- 2
• Adaptability: Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; inspires others to be adaptable to change.
• Ethics, Values and Diversity: Promotes an appropriate and effective work environment and strives to ensure that the agency’s core values and beliefs are applied during all circumstances; genuinely cares about people; deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages, lifestyle choices and genders; supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all; adheres to and promotes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); advocates for the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities to maximize their potential in the programs and communities of their choice.
• Integrity and Trust: Is respectful, truthful, and transparent; keeps confidences; takes ownership and responsibility for decisions and outcomes.
• Problem Solving and Judgment: Probes all useful and constructive sources to find pertinent answers; can analyze issues, identify problems and work toward appropriate solutions; collaborates with others or as part of a team; displays willingness to make decisions; makes timely decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Oral and Written Communications: Speaks clearly, appropriately and effectively with a diverse group of individuals; is an active listener and gets clarification when necessary; participates constructively in meetings; is able to write clearly and succinctly; is able to communicate clearly in a variety of settings and situations.

Preparation, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associates degree or additional education in the field(s) of psychology, social work, nursing, or special education preferred.
• 1 year of direct care, CNA, or human services experience preferred.
• Ability and willingness to provide hands‑on personal care.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in both verbal and written form with coworkers and supported individuals and read fluently.
• Valid driver’s license in the state of Massachusetts required.
• Successful completion of all state and Agency mandated trainings upon hire required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No supervisory responsibility.

WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent standing, walking and bending.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to physically intervene in instances of extreme behavior that might jeopardize safety of individuals supported and staff.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.