Direct Support Worker Job Description

Direct Support Professionals

Direct Support Care Professionals care for people with intellectual disabilities or illnesses. Their main duties include helping patients complete basic housekeeping tasks, transporting patients to appointments or other social outings, and keeping patients safe from potential health hazards in their surrounding environment. The Direct Support Professional is responsible for creating a positive atmosphere for the patient.

They work with the patient to strengthen their decision-making skills and encourage them to engage in more activities that will help strengthen their physical and mental health. Direct Support Professionals often teach patients how to complete certain tasks on their own. A high school degree is usually required by a Direct Support Professional.

Vocational schools and community colleges offer non- degree award programs. Basic safety techniques, including how to respond to emergencies, may be learned by a Direct Support Professional. Specific training may be required if state certification is required.

Basic nutrition, infection control, reading and recording vital signs, and personal hygiene training can be completed on-the-job or via specialized programs. Direct Support Professionals have to take time to become comfortable with their clients. Direct Support Professionals who work for agencies that receive Medicaid or Medicare reimbursement must receive minimal training and pass a competency evaluation to become certified.

Direct Support Professionals can complete a competency exam instead of participating in training to become certified in some states. Direct Support Professionals will need to be certified. Some certifications only require on-the-job training, while others require more extensive training.

California requires that direct support professionals complete 120-hour training courses

Employees in some states are required to pass a challenge test or complete a professional training program. California requires that direct support professionals complete two training segments of 35 hours each or pass an associated test to not complete one or both segments. Direct support professionals must complete a 120-hour training program within 120 days of their hire date.

Direct support professionals work in residential care facilities. They provide daily help with tasks such as cooking meals, doing laundry and cleaning the home. They may spend time at physicians' offices accompanying patients to appointments or out running and attending social activities with their patients.