DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Updated: Mai 27, 2025 - The Direct Support Professional is responsible for providing supervision, motivation, and guidance to participants both in-person and virtually, ensuring engagement in activities that align with their Individual Support Plan (ISP) and Positive Behavioral Intervention (PBI) plan. The role includes implementing age-appropriate curricula, offering behavioral support through techniques like prompting and redirecting, and ensuring participant safety and well-being during daily activities, including transportation. The professional also handles self-help assistance, conducts safety drills, and intervenes in behavioral situations as needed while maintaining a focus on the participant's health and safety.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Direct Support Professional Resume
  • Medication Management
  • Personal Care Assistance
  • Behavioral Management
  • First Aid and CPR
  • Data Documentation
  • Health Monitoring
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Lifting and Mobility Assistance
  • Meal Preparation
  • Therapeutic Techniques
  • Empathy
  • Patience
  • Communication
  • Problem-Solving
  • Time Management
  • Active Listening
  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration
  • Attention to Detail
  • Emotional Intelligence

Summary of Direct Support Professional Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Psychology with 3 years of experience

  • Hardworking, flexible, and able to work collaboratively with a team.
  • Patience, kindness, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to use a computer to perform basic functions for typing and entering notes and using Microsoft Office and email.
  • Interest in or experience working with people with disabilities.
  • Ability to maintain a calm demeanor in handling occasional difficult situations.
  • Comply with and pass the Department of Human Services background check.
  • Able to read, understand, and act as directed on written documents about the individual.
  • Willingness to perform personal care tasks for individual
  • Patience and willingness to teach individuals new skills.
  • Able to facilitate interactions between Individuals and others in community settings.
  • Able to drive safely and maintain a driving record under Opengate, Inc. policies.
  • Able to pass CPR, First Aid, or other training courses.

2. BA in Sociology with 4 years of experience

  • Ability to provide support, supervision, motivation and instruction to participants in the community, at home, at job sites, and during activities in-person and/or virtually
  • Creative approaches to deliver program activities and planned curriculum outlined in each participant's Individual Support Plan (ISP) and/or Positive Behavioral Intervention (PBI) plan
  • Ability to implement age-appropriate curriculum for participant activities
  • Ability to display fundamental behavioral support skills in supporting individuals with disabilities (i.e., prompting, cues, fading, reinforcing, redirecting)
  • Ability to provide transportation during the program for each participant
  • Ability to implement, follow, and document work and community training schedules for participants
  • Ability to assist participants with self-help needs, including support in the areas of eating, rest rooming and grooming, using universal precautions and best practice
  • Ability to intervene and diffuse escalating behavioral situations as necessary, using non-violent crisis intervention methods, prioritizing the safety of participants and staff
  • Ability to provide appropriate level of supervision to participants according to individual needs and environments
  • Ability to conduct monthly safety drills with participants
  • Ability to support and maintain the health and safety of program participants

3. BS in Social Work with 5 years of experience

  • Fundamental skills in supporting people with I/DD (in-person and/or virtual)
  • Basic tech skills (mobile phone use, email, Microsoft, Zoom, electronic database systems)
  • Ability to conduct in-person and virtual program services and activities
  • Ability to work with individuals with unique physical, emotional, social and vocational needs
  • Ability to communicate professionally, both written and verbal
  • Ability to take direction and work as a part of team and independently
  • Successful completion of all required training
  • Experience in supporting people with developmental disabilities with diverse needs including medication administration, assisting with personal care and activities of daily living
  • Experience in planning activities that reflect individualized interests and inclusion in the community
  • Experience utilizing computer software.
  • Knowledge of AIMS would be considered an asset.
  • Flexibility in working hours to accommodate support requirements. 
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