What A Direct Support Professional Does
Direct Support Professionals are tasked with one of the most important jobs imaginable - supporting another person to have a full and inclusive life in his/her community while ensuring health & safety; working towards growth, development, and skills acquisition; supporting independence, opportunities, choice, and self determination; and always approaching their work with an eye on protection and advocacy.
Below is just a small list of some of the things a DSP does - this list is not all inclusive because everyday in the world of a DSP their jobs take them to new and unknown places and situations.
| Fully responsible for a ID/DD person's well being up to 24 hours a day |
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| Do physical transfers for non-ambulatory clients |
| Teach cooking skills to increase independence |
| Teach nutrition and shopping skills to increase independence and promote health |
| Coordinate, attend, and monitor health services, supervise medications, and physicians' orders |
| Coordinate, attend and monitor services from all medical and mental health professionals |
| Teach skills to be able to get around and socialize in the community |
| Teach skills to be able to access community services, banking, food etc. |
| Teach skills to independently manage daily activities & pursue personal goals |
| Create an environment where people are healthy, safe, and exercise personal choice |
| Teach effective communication skills |
| Develop & implement mental health service plans & positive behavior support interventions to deal with assault and behavior challenges |
| Advocate on behalf of the person & teach skills to advocate for self |
| Coordinate & Monitor family visits |
| Teach money management and budgeting skills |
| Managing SSI and income services |
