Lead Direct Support Professional (Lead ULP)

Alliance Residences; Maple Grove (MN); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (PTO)

Paid holidays

Shift differentials

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Alliance Residences in Maple Grove, Minnesota is seeking a Lead Direct Support Professional to coordinate care and mentor new staff. This position is ideal for experienced caregivers looking to take on leadership roles while remaining involved in direct care.

The Lead DSP will oversee daily operations, ensuring tasks are completed and standards maintained while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for both staff and residents.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of recent DSP, CNA, HHA, or equivalent caregiving experience.
• Documented skills competency evaluation by an RN.
• Ability to pass a Minnesota DHS background study.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for DSPs during shifts.
• Coordinate assignments and ensure task completion.
• Conduct daily spot-checks of medication documentation.

Skills

Reliability and professionalism

Strong communication

Ability to assist with ADLs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

About Alliance Residences

Alliance Residences is a Minnesota-licensed assisted living community providing person-centered care to older adults and adults with complex needs. Our team is built around dignity, safety, and a culture where residents feel at home and staff feel supported.

Position Summary

The Lead Direct Support Professional (Lead DSP) is an experienced, dependable caregiver who serves as the shift-level point of contact for the DSP team. The Lead DSP partners closely with the RN Clinical Supervisor and LPN/Floor Charge Nurse to coordinate care, mentor new staff, audit documentation, and ensure shifts run smoothly and compliantly. This role is ideal for a senior DSP who is ready to take on leadership without leaving the floor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Shift Leadership

• Serve as the primary point of contact on the floor for DSPs during the shift, ensuring ADLs and delegated tasks are completed safely and on time.
• Coordinate assignments, break coverage, and call-light response to keep the shift balanced.
• Act as the designated on-site lead during emergencies, partnering with the charge nurse and following the facility emergency plan.
• Escalate clinical questions and changes in condition promptly to the LPN or RN on duty.

Mentoring and Training

• Provide shadowing, hands‑on training, and ongoing coaching to new DSPs to meet MDH and facility competency standards.
• Reinforce best practices in person‑centered care, dementia care, infection control, and safe transfers.
• Help new staff become confident with the EHR, eMAR/eTAR, and call-light/alert systems.

Compliance and Documentation

• Conduct daily spot-checks of MARs and TARs to catch and correct documentation gaps in real time.
• Help maintain readiness for MDH 144G surveys by reinforcing compliant documentation and care practices.
• Monitor unit supplies, coordinate pharmacy refills, and flag inventory needs to the appropriate lead.

Direct Care

• Perform all standard DSP duties, including assistance with ADLs, mobility, feeding, and delegated tasks under RN supervision.
• Model the standard of care expected of every team member.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of recent DSP, CNA, HHA, or equivalent caregiving experience in an assisted living, memory care, or long-term care setting.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and strong communication skills.
• Documented skills competency evaluation by an RN, including advanced delegated tasks.
• Ability to pass a Minnesota DHS background study.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Lead/Senior caregiver, shift lead, or trainer.
• Experience working in a Minnesota 144G-licensed assisted living setting.
• Comfort with EHR systems, eMAR/eTAR, and basic technology troubleshooting.

Required Training

• All baseline DSP training, including Assisted Living Bill of Rights, vulnerable adult reporting, person-centered planning, dementia, and mental illness/de-escalation training.
• Advanced skills competency evaluation by the RN Clinical Supervisor.
• Designated on-site lead training for emergency response.
• 2 hours of dementia care training annually.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely lift, transfer, and reposition residents, including the use of mechanical lifts.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs (approximately 22 kg) and assist with two-person transfers as needed.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and reaching throughout the shift.
• Ability to respond quickly during emergencies and remain calm under pressure.

Schedule

Alliance Residences offers full-time, part-time, and PRN opportunities across day, evening, and overnight (NOC) shifts, including weekends and holidays. Specific shift availability and scheduling expectations will be reviewed during the interview process.

Benefits

Alliance Residences is proud to invest in our team. Eligible employees receive:

• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time
• Paid training and continuing education
• Shift differentials and employee referral bonuses
• Career growth and advancement opportunities within Alliance Residences

Benefit eligibility varies based on employment status (full-time, part-time, or PRN) and length of service.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Alliance Residences is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and residents. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.