Lead DSP - Community

Easterseals Redwood; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO and Extended Illness Time

Health Insurance options

401 K Retirement Plan with a company match

Dental and Vision Insurance options

Disability Insurance options

Education and Professional Development Assistance

Free daily lunch (Kentucky campus)

Humana Employee Assistance Plan

10 Paid holidays

Growth Opportunities

Job summary

Easterseals Redwood is seeking a Lead Direct Support Professional in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Lead DSP will provide frontline leadership within the Adult Day Program, offering direct care and management guidance to staff. Responsibilities include mentoring DSPs, assisting with individual care plans, and ensuring quality of care for adults with disabilities.

The ideal candidate has a minimum of two years' experience working with adults with disabilities, strong leadership skills, and a High School Diploma or GED. Benefits include health insurance options and a 401K retirement plan with a company match.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' experience working with adults with disabilities.
• At least one year in a supervisorial role preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in documentation and individualized care planning.

Responsibilities

• Provides guidance to DSP staff in the absence of the Program Manager.
• Mentors DSPs on best practices in personal care and behavior management.
• Maintains accurate documentation of participant care.

Skills

Experience with adults with disabilities

Leadership skills

Behavior management

Documentation systems

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary:

The Lead Direct Support Professional (Lead DSP) serves as a frontline leader within the Adult Day Program, providing both direct care and operational guidance to DSP staff. In addition to delivering hands‑on support to adults with disabilities—including personal care, skill development, and emergency response—the Lead DSP assists the Program Manager in coordinating daily activities, mentoring team members, and ensuring consistent implementation of individualized care plans. The Lead DSP models best practices and acts as a key point of communication between staff, program leadership, and the nursing department.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership & Staff Support

• Provides day‑to‑day guidance and support to DSP staff in the absence of the Program Manager, serving as a first point of contact for questions and concerns.
• Assists the Program Manager with onboarding and training of new DSPs, including orientation to procedures, documentation systems, and individual participant needs.
• Mentors DSPs on best practices in personal care, behavior management, and active learning approaches.
• Monitors DSP performance during shifts and provides constructive, real‑time feedback to promote consistency and quality of care.
• Communicates staffing concerns, coverage needs, or staff performance issues to the Program Manager promptly.
• Assists with scheduling coordination and ensures adequate coverage for program activities, meals, bus duty, and personal care routines.

Direct Care & Program Delivery

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of each assigned adult's condition, individual file, assessments, objectives, and performance data.
• Provides active learning programs for individuals and small groups to support skill development and the achievement of individualized learning objectives.
• Uses an integrated teaching approach that embeds opportunities to develop social, communication, cognitive, and motor skills during practical life activities and routines.
• Provides direct supervision and positive interaction with adults during all personal care services, ensuring dignity and respect at all times.
• Assists adults with all types of personal care as needed, including wheelchair transfers, positioning, hygiene, toileting, and dressing, using safe lifting techniques and appropriate adaptive equipment.
• Encourages adults to actively participate in daily living tasks such as snack preparation, meal setup/cleanup, and material organization to foster independence and personal responsibility.
• Implements behavior management programs as directed and coaches DSP staff in proper implementation.
• Observes and monitors adult health status throughout the day; ensures prompt access to nursing or medical attention for individuals showing signs of illness or injury.
• Provides safe physical management of adults during emergency drills and crisis situations and supports DSP staff in doing the same.

Documentation & Communication

• Maintains and oversees accurate and timely documentation, including personal care records, attendance, incident reports, seizure logs, behavior documentation, and food service reports.
• Reviews DSP documentation for completeness and accuracy; follows up on missing or incorrect records.
• Communicates pertinent information regarding participant care and wellbeing to the Program Manager, nursing staff, other DSPs, and program volunteers as appropriate.
• Participates in team meetings and contributes to the review and updating of individual care plans and program goals.
• Assists with shared duties, including snack/meal preparation and cleanup, laundry, cleaning and organizing program materials, and bus duty.

Education & Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' experience working with adults with disabilities, with at least one year in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED (Required).
• Demonstrated experience with documentation systems, behavior management programs, and individualized care planning.

Benefits

• PTO and Extended Illness Time
• Health Insurance options
• 401 K Retirement Plan with a company match
• Dental and Vision Insurance options
• Disability Insurance options
• Education and Professional Development Assistance
• Free daily lunch (Kentucky campus)
• Humana Employee Assistance Plan
• 10 Paid holidays
• Growth Opportunities