Nina’s Health Care Fairfax is seeking compassionate, dependable, and motivated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) for our developing non-center-based day support program serving adults with developmental disabilities throughout Northern Virginia.
DSPs will provide person-centered support through Community Engagement and Community Coaching services. Services may take place in libraries, parks, recreation centers, stores, volunteer locations, educational programs, community events, and other integrated community settings.
The DSP will help individuals build independence, communication skills, social skills, community-safety awareness, self-advocacy, mobility, and meaningful community relationships. This is an active skill-building position and is not limited to companionship, transportation, or general supervision.
Responsibilities
- Provide respectful, person-centered support to adults with developmental disabilities.
- Implement each individual’s Individual Support Plan and agency Plan for Supports.
- Assist individuals with achieving identified community-based goals.
- Support participation in recreational, educational, volunteer, wellness, cultural, and social activities.
- Teach skills through prompting, modeling, encouragement, and positive reinforcement.
- Promote independence by providing only the level of assistance needed.
- Support communication, social interaction, decision-making, and self-advocacy.
- Provide community-safety supervision and follow individual risk-management procedures.
- Assist with mobility, personal care, eating, behavioral, or health-related needs when authorized, trained, and included in the individual’s plan.
- Follow approved behavioral-support and de-escalation procedures.
- Maintain professional boundaries and protect individuals’ privacy and confidentiality.
- Complete clear, accurate, and timely service notes documenting activities, staff interventions, individual responses, and progress toward goals.
- Immediately report incidents, injuries, health concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, and other safety concerns.
- Follow agency policies regarding transportation, emergencies, human rights, infection control, and Medicaid compliance.
- Attend orientation, required training, individual-specific training, supervision, and competency evaluations.
- Communicate professionally with individuals, families, supervisors, Support Coordinators, and other members of the service team.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.
- Experience in community-based services, day support, residential services, personal care, behavioral support, special education, or a related field is preferred.
- Must be dependable, patient, respectful, and able to work independently in community settings.
- Must demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be able to read, understand, and follow individualized support plans and safety protocols.
- Must be able to complete accurate electronic or written documentation.
- Must successfully complete all required background checks and employee screenings.
- Must complete required DBHDS, agency, human-rights, incident-reporting, emergency, and competency training before working independently.
- CPR and First Aid certification required
- A valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, reliable transportation, and current automobile insurance may be required for positions involving transportation.
- Must be able to safely perform the essential duties associated with the assigned individual’s support needs.
Preferred Skills
- Knowledge of person-centered practices.
- Experience implementing ISPs, Plans for Supports, or behavior-support plans.
- Familiarity with developmental disability services and Virginia DD Waiver programs.
- Experience documenting measurable progress toward individual goals.
- Ability to plan meaningful community activities based on an individual’s choices, strengths, and interests.
- Experience supporting individuals with mobility, communication, behavioral, medical, or personal-care needs.
Service Area
Nina’s Health Care Fairfax serves individuals throughout Northern Virginia. Assignments may be available in areas including:
- Fairfax and Fairfax City
- Prince William County
- Manassas and Manassas Park
- Loudoun County
- Arlington
- Alexandria
- Falls Church
- Stafford
- Fredericksburg
- Spotsylvania
- Fauquier and surrounding areas
Applicants may indicate their preferred service areas and travel availability during the interview process.
Pay: $19.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid training
- Referral program
Work Location: In person
