Job Description

About the Role

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities by providing compassionate and personalized support. This position focuses on assisting clients in achieving greater independence, community integration, and personal growth through tailored care and encouragement. The DSP will work closely with clients to support their daily living activities, promote skill development, and ensure their health and safety in various environments. Collaboration with families, healthcare providers, and other team members is essential to create and implement individualized support plans. Ultimately, the DSP contributes to fostering a respectful, empowering, and inclusive atmosphere that enables clients to lead fulfilling lives at the 1122 Ohioview Drive Extension-6076W location.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist clients with activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, medication reminders, and mobility support.
• Implement individualized support plans by encouraging skill development and promoting independence in accordance with client goals.
• Monitor and document client progress, behaviors, and any changes in health or well-being, reporting concerns promptly to supervisors.
• Facilitate community engagement by supporting clients in participating in social, recreational, and educational activities.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and supportive environment that respects client dignity and promotes their physical and emotional well-being.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to pass background checks and any required health screenings.
• Demonstrated compassion and patience in working with individuals with disabilities.
• Basic communication skills to effectively interact with clients and team members.
• Physical ability to assist clients with mobility and daily living tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a caregiving or support role for individuals with disabilities.
• Certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Training or coursework related to developmental disabilities or behavioral support.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing client needs.
• Familiarity with community resources and services available to individuals with disabilities.

Skills

In daily work, the Direct Support Professional utilizes strong interpersonal and communication skills to build trusting relationships with clients and collaborate effectively with families and healthcare teams. Compassion and patience are essential to provide empathetic support tailored to each individual's unique needs and preferences. Organizational skills are used to accurately document client progress and manage time efficiently across various responsibilities. Problem-solving abilities help the DSP adapt to unexpected situations and modify support strategies as needed. Additionally, physical stamina and attentiveness ensure the safe assistance of clients in their daily activities and community participation.

Benefits

Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Related experience is helpful.
• A verifiable high school diploma or GED is preferred