Apis Services Inc·Pemberton Township, New Jersey
Provide compassionate, person-centered support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to promote independence and community inclusion. Responsibilities include assisting with daily living activities, implementing individualized service plans, and maintaining detailed regulatory documentation.
Job posting title: Direct support professional (Dsp)
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a member of the interdisciplinary care team who provides compassionate, person-centered support to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health challenges. The DSP assists individuals in achieving their fullest potential by promoting independence, health, safety, dignity, and community inclusion. Through trauma-informed care, skill development, and individualized support, the DSP helps individuals achieve goals identified in their Individual Service Plan (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP), and other person-centered planning documents. The DSP embraces the organization's mission by fostering a culture of compassion, hope, service, collaboration, and respect.
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Responsibilities: Of the job and essential elements
Direct duties
Assists individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, household maintenance, laundry, shopping, and community participation.
Supports individuals in developing skills necessary to increase independence and maximize quality of life.
Encourages individuals to achieve personal goals and reach their fullest potential.
Promotes self-determination, choice, and community inclusion.
Assists individuals in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships and community connections.
Creates and maintains a safe, supportive, and person-centered environment.
Provides supervision, guidance, and support consistent with individualized plans and supervision requirements.
Implements Individual Service Plans (ISP), Individual Habilitation Plans (IHP), Behavior Support Plans (BSP), and other clinically relevant supports.
Monitors progress toward individual goals and documents outcomes accordingly.
Documents interactions, services provided, and activities in accordance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
Recognizes and appropriately responds to crisis situations following agency procedures and best practices.
Utilizes trauma-informed interventions to support individuals during periods of stress or behavioral challenges.
Recognizes and reports suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.
Assists with medication administration and medication documentation as authorized and trained.
Provides transportation to medical appointments, employment programs, educational activities, recreational opportunities, family visits, religious services, and other approved destinations.
Assists individuals in participating in community-based activities and personal interests.
Participates in ISP development, implementation, and outcome monitoring.
Assists with residential licensing activities and regulatory compliance requirements.
Maintains accurate and timely documentation including:
Medication Administration Records (MARs)
Daily logs
Goal tracking forms
Incident reports
Sleep/Awake documentation
Weight monitoring documentation
Seizure records
Fire drill records
Behavior tracking documentation
Transportation and vehicle logs
Consumer fund documentation
Other required program records
Completes electronic timekeeping and payroll documentation accurately.
Attends all required staff meetings, trainings, supervision sessions, and competency reviews.
Responds to emergency and on-call situations as requested.
Works collaboratively with Residential Managers, Lead DSPs, families, guardians, clinicians, support coordinators, and community providers.
Provides trauma-informed care and support in all aspects of service delivery.
Performs special projects and program-related assignments as requested.
Other duties as assigned by management.
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Other responsibilities
Successfully completes all required orientation, pre-service, annual, and in-service training requirements.
Implements individualized behavioral, habilitation, and healthcare plans.
Teaches adaptive living skills and supports personal growth and development.
Maintains confidentiality of all client and organizational information.
Assists with maintenance of individual and program files, monthly reports, and regulatory documentation.
Participates in assessment activities and identification of support needs.
Fully cooperates during audits, inspections, licensing reviews, and investigations.
Maintains professional and respectful interactions with individuals served, family members, coworkers, and community stakeholders.
Promotes dignity, choice, inclusion, and individual rights.
Participates in quality improvement activities and program development efforts.
Performs other duties necessary to support quality care and service delivery.
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Provides individualized supports that honor choice, dignity, independence, and self-determination.
Communicates professionally and effectively with individuals served, family members, coworkers, and community stakeholders.
Applies trauma-informed principles to create safe, supportive, and empowering environments.
Supports meaningful participation in community life, relationships, and activities.
Implements individualized behavioral interventions and support strategies consistently and effectively.
Documentation & compliance
Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation consistent with regulatory and agency requirements.
Uses sound judgment and decision-making skills to address challenges and support positive outcomes.
Professionalism & ethics
Maintains confidentiality, integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.
Organization & time management
Effectively manages responsibilities, priorities, scheduling requirements, and documentation.
Maintains professionalism and composure in crisis situations, emergencies, and high-stress environments.
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Vehicle requirements
Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
Current vehicle registration and insurance as applicable.
Reliable transportation when required.
Ability to safely operate agency vehicles and passenger vans.
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Physical requirements
Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, kneel, reach, and climb stairs throughout the workday.
Ability to assist individuals with personal care, mobility, and daily living activities.
Ability to sit for approximately 2–3 hours per shift.
Ability to stand and work for 6–8 hours per shift.
Ability to drive a company vehicle or van for 1–4 hours per shift.
Ability to lift and move 50 pounds or more.
Visual and auditory ability sufficient to monitor safety and support individual needs.
Fine motor skills sufficient to complete documentation and operate equipment.
Ability to work a full shift in residential and community settings.
Working conditions
Residential homes and community living environments.
Community locations including employment sites, medical appointments, educational settings, recreational activities, and social events.
Indoor and outdoor environments.
Variable schedules including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage as needed.
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General requirements
Maintain and abide by OSHA requirements and guidelines.
Observe all Fire and Safety Policies and Procedures.
Observe all Personnel Policies and Procedures.
Observe all Agency Policies and Procedures.
Observe all HIPAA Policies and Procedures and maintain confidentiality.
Complete and return all Human Resources documentation as required.
Attend all required trainings, meetings, certifications, and competency reviews.
Maintain a professional demeanor and exercise sound judgment in all employment duties.
Successfully complete CPR, First Aid, medication administration, and all assigned training programs.
Comply with Department of Developmental Services (DDS) requirements and applicable state regulations.
Document time worked accurately.
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Apis Services maintains a drug-free workplace. Certain affiliates, programs, or states may require pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, or post-incident drug testing in accordance with applicable laws, licensing standards, contracts, and regulatory requirements. Employees must successfully complete all required screenings, abuse registry checks, criminal background checks, and other regulatory clearances as required by the affiliate and state regulations.
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The statements on these pages reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified. These statements shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position. We rely on good judgment, common sense, professionalism, and teamwork.
From time to time, employees may be requested to perform other duties essential to the effective operation of the affiliate. Appropriate training will be provided when necessary.
Please note that work schedules are subject to change based on business needs. Flexibility in working hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency coverage, and work locations may be required.
The more you know and the more areas in which you can work within the affiliate will add value to you as a professional and contribute to the continued success of Inperium, Inc. & Family of Services.
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Apis Services, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Inperium, Inc.) provides a progressive platform for delivering Shared Services to Inperium and its constellation of affiliate companies. Apis Services and its affiliates provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This commitment extends to every phase of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, and termination.
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and must be at least 21 years of age. Experience in human services or behavioral health is preferred along with the ability to lift 50 pounds.
Market context
Direct Support Professional roles in New Jersey are often in steady demand because agencies need dependable staff to support daily living and community participation for people with developmental or behavioral needs. These positions can be competitive because employers look for reliability, a clean driving record, and experience in human services; this posting also notes preferred education and 6–12 months of experience. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, and confirm you meet the age, diploma, and driver’s license criteria before applying.