INTRODUCTION 

The purpose of this document is to define the responsibilities, principal duties, reporting relationships and measures of performance for the Direct Support Professional position. 

FUNCTIONAL ROLE 

The basic function of the Direct Support Professional is to provide necessary support to all Saguaro Foundation group home consumers by functioning as direct care giver, teacher and mentor to both the consumers and their families/guardians. In addition, the Direct Support Professional provides necessary support to the Residential Supervisor. 

 REQUIREMENTS

Education: 

Must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D., or higher education diploma from an accredited post-high school institution. 

Must complete Saguaro Foundation’s Direct Support Professional Training Program. 

Experience:

Preferred: At least 6 months of experience working with developmentally disabled individuals. 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Computer software including email, word processing, spreadsheet, and databases, Electronic Health Record (EHR.) 
• Effective communication techniques using tact and professionalism; and 
• Record-keeping techniques. 
• Carry out written and oral instructions. 
• Read and interpret policies. 
• Maintain records. 
• Submit significant and routine paperwork, such as progress notes, incident reports, medication logs, maintenance requests, etc. as required by the program. 
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action. 
• Read, interpret, and follow rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to work in a team environment. 
• Implement day-to-day structure which may include redirection, and verbal and preventive intervention (PRO-ACT), when applicable. 
• Prepare or supervise meal preparation according to the pre-established menu, consumer’s physician ordered diets, and perform household duties daily; and 
• Ensure that the facility is physically maintained to meet licensure requirements and is always clean and habitable. 

The ability to follow instructions and complete tasks with minimal supervision 

Must have reliable transportation and constant and effective means of communication with Administrative Office and Residential Supervisor s

The ability to deal tactfully with consumers, families/guardians, other professionals, outside agencies and the public 

Must pass Saguaro Foundation’s Direct Support Professional examination

Physical: 

Walking: Continuous – The ability to exert a reasonably paced mobility from one point to another within a generally accepted time frame, and recognizing the conditions of the environment as to breadth/narrowness, clutter, etc. 

Bending: Frequently – The ability to move and control one’s torso so items or individuals can be picked up from a lower-level surface 

Kneeling: Frequently – Ability to flex legs at the knees so that one can lower the body coming to rest on one or both knees 

Handling: Continuous – Ability to grasp, hold, set down, redirect with hands or fingers, turn, control and manipulate objects and commodities

Finger Dexterity: Frequently – Ability to control and utilize fingers in a dexterous and coordinated manner for such activities as writing, slicing, chopping, operating equipment, passing medications in bubble packs, vials, etc. 

Reaching: Frequently – Ability to stretch body and extend arms to place or secure objects or individuals at a distance above, to the side of, or below the normal standing level of the individual 

Squatting: Frequently – Ability to flex legs at the knees to lower the body position

Lifting and Pulling: Frequently – Ability to use body parts, usually arms, hands and legs (occasionally shoulders and back) to elevate an object or individual above its previous surface, or pulling as if out of a bundle 

Up to 15 pounds lifting or pulling force: Frequently

Up to 20-25 pounds lifting or pulling force: Frequently 

Up to 30 pounds lifting or pulling force: Frequently 

Up to 50 pounds lifting or pulling force: Frequently 

More than 50 pounds lifting or pulling force: Frequently 

Climbing: Occasionally – Ability to ascend steps, ladders and other vertical and semi-vertical surfaces to reach a higher level 

Stooping: Frequently – Ability to flex legs at the knees and move the upper body forward and down 

Note: This position may place the employee at risk of physical aggression by consumers. 

Must obtain a negative Tuberculosis screening at own cost prior to consumer contact 

Sensory Requirements:

Hearing: Ability to hear in one or both ears so that verbal communication can be received, understood and acted upon, either on a face to face or telecommunications basis 

Speaking: Ability to express oneself verbally with clarity on either a face to face or telecommunications basis 

Vision: The ability to, with or without corrective lenses, see small markings, shapes and colors of medications along with calibrations of medication dispensing devices (i.e., insulin syringes, graduated medication cups, bottles, containers, etc.). 

Mental Requirements:

Basic Skills: Reading, writing, arithmetic and mathematics, speaking, listening and spelling fluently in the English language 

Thinking Skills: Thinking creatively, making decisions, solving problems, the ability to learn, reasoning 

Personal Qualities: Individual responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management and integrity 

Reactions to Emergencies: The ability to react quickly and efficiently in medical emergencies and the ability to utilize skills learned during training sessions 

Interpersonal Skills: 

Working on teams, teaching others, serving consumers, leading, negotiating and working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds 

Information: 

Acquiring and evaluating data, organizing and maintaining files, interpreting and communicating, and the ability to process information 

Work Environment: 

Field environment (group homes) and occasional office environment. Often, a public environment facilitates community immersion. Occasional medical offices, hospitals, or clinics 

 Other Requirements: 

Flexibility in scheduling 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

The Direct Support Professional reports directly to the Direct Support Supervisor and the Direct Support Director when the Residential Supervisor is not available 

The Direct Support Professional reports to all functional positions superior to the Residential Supervisor  

RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRINCIPAL DUTIES 

Supervise, assist or ensure, depending on consumer needs, activities of daily living for each group home consumer (i.e., hygiene, bathing, shopping, transportation, money management, meal preparation, cleaning, etc.) 

Understand and implement all consumer programs and maintain appropriate data collection pertaining to the programs, including Behavior Management Programs, and consumer objectives, Electronic Health in Record (EHR) 

Ensure and maintain the highest possible health status for each consumer: 

Monitor for changes in medical conditions and report to Residential Supervisor or appropriate supervisor 

Follow all prescribed treatment plans for each consumer 

Intervene as needed in emergency medical situations 

Maintain and ensure cleanliness of group homes and vehicles, including but not limited to: 

General home appearances 

Homes are maintained free from offensive odors 

Vehicles are kept clean and free from offensive odors 

Employees are required to clean with substances such as bleach and other chemical cleaning agents in accordance with OSHA regulations 

Maintain thorough and comprehensive documentation regarding all consumer related issues including but not limited to: 

Individual progress notes 

House logs 

Special medical monitoring 

Program data 

Medication documentation 

Vehicle documentation and mileage 

Incident reporting 

Supervise, assist and encourage community outings and planning for such 

Supervise, assist and encourage meal planning/preparation, including adherence to nutritional limitations/needs and documentation of such 

Medication administration and related documentation 

Attend staff meetings, training sessions and in-services when scheduled 

Participate in consumer objective and program development if requested 

Serves as special advocate for assigned consumer 

Any other duty deemed necessary by Residential Supervisor or higher supervisor 

MEASUREMENTS OF PERFORMANCE

Actively involved, giving as minimal assistance as necessary, with all consumer activities of daily living 

Effectively and accurately implements all consumer Behavior Management Programs and objectives and maintains appropriate data collection relating to such 

Accurately and responsibly reports all changes in consumer health conditions or any other health care needs to Residential Supervisor or appropriate supervisor 

Maintains clean and odor free homes and vehicles 

Maintains thorough and comprehensive documentation regarding: 

Individual progress notes 

House logs 

Special medical monitoring 

Program data 

Medication documentation 

Vehicle documentation and mileage

Incident reporting 

Encourages and facilitates consumer community outings 

Assists in meal preparation and follows all consumers’ special dietary needs/limitations and completes documentation of such 

Accurately administers medications and completes related documentation 

Attends and participates in staff meetings, training sessions and in-services when scheduled to do so 

Participates in consumer objective and program development by offering insight, ideas and consumer preferences 

Adequately and appropriately performs other duties as deemed necessary by Residential Supervisor or higher supervisor 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I have reviewed and understand the above Position Guide for Direct Support Professional and believe it to be accurate and complete. I recognize that management retains the right to change this position statement at any time to keep it representative of this functional position.