Direct Support Professional

About the Role

REM Community Services, part of the Sevita family, delivers community-based support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization is centered on helping individuals live meaningful lives while offering staff a mission-focused workplace where relationships and daily impact matter.

Position Overview

This is a non-exempt hourly position that may be full-time or part-time. The role involves providing direct support to people in a single program or unit, usually assisting 4 to 6 individuals in residential settings or up to 10 individuals in periodic programs.

Core Duties

The position includes following individual service or program plans and supporting socialization, health maintenance, medication support, and skill or behavioral development. Day-to-day help may include personal care, household tasks, recreation, transportation, community participation, shopping, citizenship-related activities, and other daily living needs.

Services and Support

• Deliver hands-on assistance in line with each person’s service plan, including support with socialization, behavior, personal care, housekeeping, recreation, transportation, community orientation, shopping, budgeting, citizenship, and similar daily activities.
• Keep progress notes and activity records accurate and up to date, review logs and records for changes, and protect confidentiality at all times.
• Use the individual’s budget responsibly by making appropriate, cost-conscious purchases based on their preferences.
• Build and maintain professional, respectful relationships with individuals, families, guardians, case managers, and visitors while following customer service expectations.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, medical events, behavioral incidents, and other required concerns according to company and external policies.
• Respect individual rights, maintain privacy, use universal precautions, and help people exercise their rights.

Health Care Duties

• Accompany individuals to medical appointments when needed and communicate information between providers and the support team as required.
• Administer medications or support self-administration when assigned, document treatments accurately, report mistakes quickly, and keep controlled and routine medications secure.
• Observe and document health concerns, communicate with a nurse or supervisor when appropriate, call emergency services in urgent situations, and follow health care directives.
• Use medical equipment correctly and report any malfunction or damage.
• Prepare meals or assist individuals with meal preparation according to menu plans, dietary needs, and personal preferences.

Employment Expectations

• Attend orientation, ongoing training, and monthly staff meetings as scheduled.
• Work assigned shifts on time, remain on duty until relieved, and provide advance notice when unable to report as planned.
• Be prepared to cover other shifts when needed, as long as it does not create unauthorized overtime, or in emergencies.
• Work cooperatively with teammates, communicate clearly, show courtesy, and treat others with respect.
• Follow all workplace safety policies, report hazards, and take part in safety training and related activities.

Transportation, Home Care, and Maintenance

• May transport individuals in the community while following traffic laws and using safety equipment such as seat belts, lifts, and wheelchair tie-downs properly.
• Report accidents or safety concerns immediately to the right authorities and supervisor or maintenance staff.
• Complete daily and seasonal housekeeping, keep the environment clean and safe, and flag hazards when found.
• Handle minor maintenance tasks such as changing light bulbs, monitoring environmental safety, supporting yard upkeep, and removing snow from walkways when required.
• Check water temperature when assisting with bathing, take part in safety drills, and protect individuals during emergencies.

Other Details

Other duties may be assigned as needed. The role uses MPA, which stands for Mobile Punch Authorized, for timekeeping.

Supervision

This role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred. Six months of experience in human services is also preferred. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and should have working computer knowledge.

Licenses and Compliance

A valid driver’s license in good standing is required. If transportation of individuals is part of the role, the employee must also have vehicle registration and insurance. All state-required training and certifications must be completed within the required timeframes. The driver status must remain approved by management, and anyone who loses driving eligibility under company motor vehicle record standards may be restricted from driving on behalf of the organization until requirements are met again.

Work Setting and Physical Demands

The work is based at the program site, with possible travel into the community alongside individuals receiving services. The role is classified as heavy work, requiring exertion of up to 100 pounds occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds constantly.

Additional State-Specific Requirements

For New Jersey positions, employees must cooperate with the licensee and Department of Human Services during inspections, inquiries, or investigations. A valid driver’s license in good standing in New Jersey is required, or in the state of residence if commuting from another state. A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum education requirement. Employees hired after 6/15/2018 must complete pre-employment drug testing and may also be tested randomly or for cause. Criminal background checks are required, and employees must not be disqualified by the Department of Human Services before working with individuals served. Names must also be checked against the Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and the Child Abuse Registry Information (CARI). All required trainings must be completed successfully, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

About the Employer

Sevita is a major provider of home- and community-based specialized health care. The company focuses on helping people live more independently through individualized support and services, and has supported individuals across the United States for more than 50 years. Its workforce includes about 40,000 team members serving roughly 50,000 individuals.

Equal Opportunity

The employer follows equal opportunity hiring practices and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics.