Direct Support Professional II

Unitus-Family-Services; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Competitive salary

Flexible schedule

Opportunity for advancement

Training & development

Job summary

Unitus Family Services is seeking an experienced DSP II to deliver safe, person-centered support in residential and community settings. This non-supervisory role requires strong client engagement, accurate documentation, and prudent judgment with varying schedules.

You will follow ISP plans, participate in training, and support clients with daily living, health/safety, transportation, and community access while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct.

Qualifications

• Must have direct-support competence and successful training completion.
• CPR/First Aid certification and behavior-support training required; medication certification when assigned to Residential.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license where required.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality direct support with personal care, daily living, health and safety, transportation, community access, and goal implementation.
• Follow ISP, behavior support plans, medication procedures, emergency protocols, and documentation standards.
• Create and implement engaging activities based on client interests, abilities and community opportunities.
• Recognize changes in health, behavior or safety; take appropriate action and file notifications/incident reports.
• Demonstrate accurate, timely documentation and assist peers by modeling procedures and professional conduct.
• Provide coverage for difficult shifts and emergency needs when available.
• Maintain respectful relationships with clients, families, coworkers, and community partners; protect confidentiality and rights.

Skills

Direct-support skills

Documentation

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

CPR/First Aid

Behavior-support training

Medication certification (Residential)

Valid driver’s license

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Competitive salary
• Flexible schedule
• Opportunity for advancement
• Training & development

Unitus Family Services • DSP II Job Description

DSP II • EXPERIENCED / FULLY TRAINED LEVEL

Programs:

Residential, Day Program, Community Coaching, and other assigned services

Reports to:

House Manager (Residential); Day Program Team Lead/Manager; or designated Program Director

Role Type:

Experienced direct-care position; non-supervisory

Schedule:

Varied shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency coverage, and community hours

Position Summary

The DSP 2 is a fully trained direct-support professional who delivers safe, dependable, person-centered services with less day-to-day supervision. The role models strong client engagement, documentation, judgment, and response to routine and urgent needs. DSP 2 is not a supervisor or shift manager.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality direct support with personal care, daily living, health and safety, transportation, community access, and goal implementation.
• Follow ISPs, behavior support plans, medication procedures, emergency protocols, and all required documentation standards.
• Create and implement engaging activities based on client interests, choices, abilities, and community opportunities.
• Recognize changes in health, behavior, or safety; take appropriate immediate action and complete required notifications and incident reports.
• Demonstrate accurate, timely documentation and assist peers by modeling approved procedures and professional conduct.
• Provide coverage for difficult-to-fill shifts and emergency needs when assigned and available.
• Maintain respectful relationships with clients, families, coworkers, and community partners while protecting confidentiality and rights.

Role Boundaries

• DSP 2 does not independently assign staff duties, manage schedules, approve documentation, conduct discipline, or replace a Team Lead or House Manager.
• Any informal peer assistance must remain within approved training and be referred to a supervisor when performance, safety, or policy concerns arise.
• DSP 1 to DSP 2 Advancement Standards
• Internal candidates are generally considered after at least 90 days when all training is current, attendance and documentation are strong, judgment is consistently sound, no unresolved corrective actions remain, and the manager recommends advancement. Performance is reviewed at least every six months.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Demonstrated direct-support competence and successful completion of required training.
• Current CPR/First Aid and behavior-support training; medication certification when assigned to Residential.
• Acceptable attendance, documentation, driving, and safety record.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current insurance when required for assigned community duties.

Core Competencies

• Independent judgment within policy
• Compassion, patience, and professionalism
• Accurate documentation and incident response
• Active client engagement and creative activity planningDependability and calm emergency response

Work Requirements

• Ability to provide hands‑on support, respond to emergencies, travel in the community, and perform the position’s essential
• functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Regular exposure to varied homes, program sites, vehicles, and community settings.

Equal Opportunity & Acknowledgment

Unitus Family Services provides equal employment opportunities and considers qualified applicants without unlawful discrimination. Reasonable accommodations may be available for qualified individuals. This description summarizes the position’s general duties; responsibilities may change based on program and client needs and do not constitute an employment contract.