Direct Support Professional / Youth Caregiver

As a Direct Support Professional at Dungarvin, you will be responsible for supporting children ages 12-21 with disabilities or behavioral complexities. This includes assisting with daily activities, coaching life skills, providing supervision, administering medication, preparing meals, and offering personal care. Your role helps foster independence while ensuring a safe and encouraging environment for the children.

To qualify for the Direct Support Professional position at Dungarvin, applicants must possess a valid driver's license and have at least six months of experience working with vulnerable populations, which can include professional work or volunteer experience. Additionally, candidates must be 18 years or older and hold a High School Diploma or GED.

The wage for a Direct Support Professional at Dungarvin begins at $18.00 per hour, with a full range scale from $18.00 to $20.05 per hour. This competitive pay is based on the job title and geographical location and comes with the opportunity for growth within the organization.

Dungarvin offers a suite of benefits to Direct Support Professionals, including medical, vision, and dental insurance for eligible employees, as well as supplemental insurance options. Other benefits include paid time off (PTO), a 401k plan with employer matching, life insurance, employee discounts, and opportunities for professional development.

If you're looking to learn more about the Direct Support Professional role at Dungarvin, consider visiting our website or reaching out directly to our HR department. Additionally, exploring videos about our workplace culture and the impact of our services can provide valuable insight into what it means to join our team.

In your response, focus on a specific situation where your actions led to positive outcomes for the child. Highlight your ability to empathize, adapt your approach, and apply effective communication skills to build trust and support.

When answering this question, discuss your strategies for remaining calm and composed. Explain your approach to understanding the child's needs and using de-escalation techniques, while also planning for future interventions to facilitate positive behavior.

Emphasize skills such as empathy, patience, strong communication, adaptability, and the ability to foster independence. Support your answer by explaining how these skills have helped you in previous roles.

Outline your approach to task management, highlighting how you evaluate immediate needs versus long-term goals for the children. Discuss your ability to be flexible and prioritize based on the evolving needs of the children in your care.

Share a specific instance where you collaborated effectively with coworkers or other professionals. Highlight your communication skills, ability to share responsibilities, and how working as a team benefited the children.

Discuss techniques you've used to enhance communication, such as using visual aids, simplified language, or nonverbal cues. Provide examples to demonstrate your understanding of each child's unique communication style.

Reflect on your passion for helping others, your desire to make a difference in children's lives, and how your personal values align with Dungarvin's mission. Share stories that highlight your motivation and commitment.

Articulate your understanding of Dungarvin's values and how your experience, skills, and background resonate with their mission. Present ideas on ways you can enhance their programs and support the children.

Describe your approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of communication, empathy, and collaboration. Provide a hypothetical scenario and explain how you would work towards a resolution.

Address the challenges you anticipate in the role, such as emotional strain or managing diverse needs, and how you plan to cope. Highlight strategies for self-care and building a support network among colleagues.