Direct Support Professional / DSP / Nashville / M-F 10a-6p

RHA Health Services; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. As a Direct Support Professional, you will provide personalized support, helping clients achieve their personal goals and engage in their communities. This role emphasizes compassion, respect, and advocacy, ensuring that each individual's needs are met with dignity. You will facilitate community involvement, teach essential life skills, and support informed decision-making. If you are passionate about empowering others and fostering independence, this is an exciting opportunity to impact lives positively.

Benefits

Early access to earned wages

Employee perks and discount program

Paid Time Off

Health/Insurance

401(k) retirement savings program

Wellbeing Programs

Chronic Disease management programs

Free CPR and first aid training

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age and compassionate.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for individuals’ rights and promote health and safety.
• Teach independent living skills and support community engagement.
• Assist with personal care tasks and maintain documentation.

Skills

Compassionate support

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Advocacy for rights

Knowledge of disability rights

Record keeping

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

We are hiring for:

Direct Support Professional / DSP / Nashville / M-F 10a-6p

Type:

Regular

If you are a positive and personable individual looking for a satisfying and fun opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and people facing mental health and substance use challenges, join our team at RHA Health Services!

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:

• Regularly required to lift 30 lbs.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs.
• Must be able to pull a minimum of 25 lbs.
• Must be able to squat, kneel, crawl, crouch, climb, and stoop.
• Must be able to regularly use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Required to regularly stand and walk.
• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in CPR from the floor level requiring to work on hands, knees, bending, standing, and lifting.
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.
• Must be able to talk and hear.

Pre-employment screening:

• Complete criminal background.
• Name checked in the registries (OIG exclusions database, Child Abuse Registry, and Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities).
• Drug testing.
• Education verification and other credentialing based on position requirements.
• Proof of employment history or references (if required).
• Positions that require driving must provide proof of driver's license, driver's insurance, and vehicle, if required for providing transportation for individuals.

We offer the following benefits to employees:

• 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.

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.

If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of people we serve and support, apply to join the team today.