Direct Support Professional

Positions starting at $21.00 per hour 

Are you interested in joining a rewarding non-profit career field with opportunities to make a difference in your community? The Arc invites you to join our team of value-driven and independent professionals.  Help us fulfill our mission to support individuals with disabilities in enhancing the quality of their lives  

If we didn't get your attention yet - The Arc of the Ozarks also offers competitive pay and benefits.   

If you have directly relevant experience, ask about our experience pay options 

What is this job all about? 

The Direct Support Professional is the bridge between people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their communities.  You will encourage and mentor individuals by supporting them in maximizing their full potential.  The DSP role is involved in providing supports to all aspects of individuals life activities.  Support may include daily life skills of cooking, cleaning, hygiene, medication administration, behavioral care, and community participation.  If you have the passion to help empower individuals lives - apply now  

What will my day-to-day responsibilities look like? 

A direct support professional is both a mentor and a coach. In this position you will be working hands on with our clients to provide guidance and suggestions to empower their learning. You will do this by: 

• Educating clients on skills such as personal hygiene, cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, and other activities of daily living. 

• Exploring various community businesses and social activities with your clients while supporting their employment, household, and personal goals. 

• Work hand in hand with your team to plan and advocate for your clients 

What do I need to be successful in this position? 

• Be a minimum of eighteen years of age. 

• Possess a diploma from an accredited High School or the equivalent. 

• The Direct Support Professional will be a person who is passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and increasing their independence as a valued member of the community.  A sincere dedication to the mission and the people served by The Arc of the Ozarks is crucial. 

• Please see the full job description for complete list of duties and requirements.  

Here's a little more: 

• Excellent opportunities for growth and promotion within the organization.  

• Setup for success with paid initial and ongoing training certifications and Professional Development Opportunities (CPR/ First Aid, MANDT verbal and physical de-escalation, Paraclete, Level One Med Aide, etc.) - Requires weekday, daytime availability for at least the first 1-2 weeks to complete necessary trainings for position. 

• Typical shifts are 8 hours on either days, evenings, or overnights with primary openings for evenings/weekends. 

• Potential for annual wage increases. 

• Retirement Plan – Match up to 4% after one year. 

If you are passionate about with Unique needs and making a meaningful difference in their lives, click on the link and apply now to join our team 

Looking for more information? 

• Give us a call at

  • Ask for the Talent Acquisition Team 

• Send us an Email at  

  • Don't forget to include your name and the position/location you are interested in. 

• Checkout some videos about our organization and the individuals we support here 

• Checkout our website and social media here: 

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Definition

This is a human services position providing desired supports to persons with disabilities, in a residential setting, so that they may achieve the highest level of independent living possible within their community.

An employee in this class provides training and supports to assigned persons served in dressing, bathing, personal hygiene, house cleaning, laundry, and other activities of daily living.  Additional responsibilities include assisting with the purchasing of groceries, training in food preparation, administering medications, and assist in the management of personal funds.  This employee assists in the implementation of personal plans; contributes to the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment; and establishes effective interpersonal relationships with each person served, their parents and/or guardians, and other members of the support team.

Work involves responsibility for observing and reporting information concerning the physical, mental, and behavioral condition of the persons served and for assisting in the maintenance of necessary records and reports to document these observations.  Close supervision and direction is received from the Team Manager, the Program Supervisor, and/or other staff members who review work through reports and direct observations.

Essential Job Functions

Mission and Core Values

Serves as an ambassador of the mission and purpose of The Arc of the Ozarks

Knowledge and understanding of The Arc mission statement and will uphold in their daily work.

Supports The Arc knowing that any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks which could be included in the position of this class. 

Care and Support of Individuals

Provides support to persons served in dressing, bathing, personal hygiene, house cleaning, laundry, and other activities of daily living.

Assists with the purchasing of groceries and supplies; supports persons served in preparing their own meals.

Assists in providing basic health care for persons served; takes temperature, pulse, blood   pressure, respiration, and applies simple dressings when necessary.

Administers oral, rectal, vaginal, optic, ophthalmic, nasal, and topical medications, after    certification by The Arc of the Ozarks and Missouri State officials.

Takes appropriate action in case of fire and/or disaster or other urgent / emergency. 

Assists in maintaining an inventory of supplies in the home and ordering / notifying appropriate parties of needed items so clients homes always have necessary items.

Documentation and Quality Supports

Implements outcomes and strategies of individual personal plans under the supervision of the Team Manager, the Program Supervisor, or other staff members; provides supports as identified in the personal plans; attends review meetings when assigned.

Provides support to persons served in maintaining a safe and clean environment in their home. 

Observes, reports, and assists in recording changes in the physical, emotional, behavioral status of persons served and documents progress on the outcomes listed in personal plans.

Assists in the orientation and training of new employees.

Encourages the development and maintenance of a safe environment for persons served in a residential setting including developing plans for evacuation assistance in case of emergency, using the on-call pager; and training in securing emergency services such as the police, the fire department, and an ambulance.

Assists persons served in securing and effectively managing funds; ensuring the Individuals' choices of how these funds are spent, budgeting, etc.

Community Involvement

Provides support to persons served in becoming active participants in their communities.

Supports persons served in participating in varied meaningful vocational, domestic, and leisure activities in the community of their choosing.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion.

Ability to work varied and flexible hours, accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.

Ability to work with and respect persons with disabilities and advocate for their rights.

Ability to learn and apply crisis intervention and behavior support techniques.

Ability to administer oral, rectal, vaginal, optic, ophthalmic, nasal, topical medications and insulin injections after certification by The Arc of the Ozarks and Missouri State officials.

Ability to teach basic skills and model adaptive behaviors at home and in the community.

Ability to maintain a safe, clean and agreeable environment for the persons served.

Ability to accurately report and record observations.

Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.

Ability to stand, stoop, lift up to 50 lbs, and pull and push items.

Ability to pass with satisfactory performance CPR, First Aid, and Behavior Intervention training.

Ability to maintain a record of punctuality and attendance.

A licensed and insured driver.

 Ability to obtain a class E drivers license if driving persons served in an Arc vehicle.

Minimum Experience and Training Qualifications

Be a minimum of eighteen years of age and possession of a diploma from an accredited High School or the equivalent

• Successfully complete a course in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid
• Successfully complete a 16 hours course in Medication Administration.
• Successfully complete a 10 course in MANDT System Workshop
• Successfully complete a course in OSHA regulations on Health and Safety.
• Successfully complete a course in Abuse & Neglect
• Successfully complete a course in Electronic Documentation
• Other trainings per department or per home location may be required, refer to policy 8.106 for specific requirements.

Traits and Characteristics Desired

The Direct Support Professional will be a person who is passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and increasing their independence as a valued member of the community.  A sincere dedication to the mission and the people served by The Arc of the Ozarks is crucial.

The Direct Support Professional must demonstrate the ability to establish rapport, effectively communicates, and cultivates a positive work culture with not only their team, but staff from other departments, guardians, individuals served, internal and external stakeholders.

The Direct Support Professional should be open to feedback, possess a growth mindset, and a willingness for learning opportunities in order to better themselves and The Arc of the Ozarks.