Direct Support Professional

As a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at CHI Friendship, your main responsibilities will include maintaining a safe living environment, offering crisis intervention and counseling, supporting individuals in daily living skills such as cooking and personal hygiene, and accompanying them to various activities like social outings and medical appointments. Each day presents new opportunities to empower individuals and help them reach their personal goals!

To become a Direct Support Professional at CHI Friendship, you need to possess a valid driver’s license along with reliable transportation and car insurance. While a background in social work, psychology, or a related field may be beneficial, what truly matters is your caring attitude, patience, and a strong desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

CHI Friendship offers an impressive benefits package for Direct Support Professionals that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, tuition assistance for professional growth, a matching 401(k), and even adoption assistance. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a free premium membership to our Care@Work program, ensuring you have the support you need in various life aspects.

At CHI Friendship, supporting the growth of Direct Support Professionals is a priority. We provide tuition assistance for career advancement, offer comprehensive training programs, and encourage participation in workshops and seminars to enhance your skills and knowledge. Your development directly contributes to our mission of providing quality services to individuals with disabilities.

The starting pay for a Direct Support Professional at CHI Friendship is $19.00 per hour. This competitive wage reflects our commitment to recognizing the invaluable work DSPs do in supporting individuals with unique needs within our community.

When answering this question, be sure to share a specific example that highlights your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure. Mention the situation, your actions, and the positive outcome that resulted from your intervention.

Demonstrate your time management skills by discussing a strategy you've successfully used. Explain how you assess tasks based on urgency and importance, ensuring that critical needs are met while maintaining the overall well-being of your clients.

Detail specific techniques you employ, such as using positive reinforcement, active listening, or tailored behavioral interventions. Highlight your ability to adapt your approach based on each person's unique needs, showing your understanding of person-centered care.

Explain that building trusting relationships involves active listening, empathy, and consistency. Share how you take the time to genuinely understand each individual, fostering trust and communication that leads to a strong partnership.

Discuss your familiarity with maintaining accurate and timely documentation. Emphasize the importance of record-keeping in ensuring continuity of care, and how you make it a routine part of your responsibilities.

Share personal motivations that drive you to become a DSP, which may include a passion for helping others, a commitment to making a positive impact in your community, or past experiences that shaped your desire to support individuals with disabilities.

Showcase your conflict resolution skills by discussing your approach to mediation and negotiation. Talk about the techniques you use to facilitate peaceful resolutions, ensuring the dignity and respect of all involved parties.

Provide specific examples of how you've encouraged independence, such as teaching life skills, setting achievable goals, and providing opportunities for clients to make choices. Stress the importance of empowering individuals to thrive.

Explain your commitment to ongoing professional development. List resources such as online courses, workshops, peer support groups, and relevant literature that you utilize to stay informed about best practices in direct support.

Discuss essential qualities such as empathy, communication skills, adaptability, and patience. Reflect on how these qualities have been important in your previous experiences supporting others, highlighting your alignment with the role's requirements.