Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional (DSP) — Right at Home Cleveland West

Client-centered | Community-based | Safety-first

About the Role

Right at Home Cleveland West is seeking a skilled, compassionate Direct Support Professional (DSP) to provide close, constant, one-on-one support for a teen in Avon, OH. The ideal teammate is calm, respectful, and great at encouraging independence while following detailed safety and health protocols. You’ll partner closely with the family and our care team to deliver consistent routines, positive reinforcement, and safe community access.

Who You’ll Support (high-level snapshot)

Friendly, funny, empathetic teen who loves sports (especially basketball), building projects, decorating for holidays, fishing, movies, and hanging out with friends .

Communicates verbally; benefits from a calm voice, rephrasing, and extra processing time . Prefers FaceTime over texting; uses speech-to-text when needed.

Requires close & constant supervision at home and in the community (no alone time).

Health considerations : history of stroke (follow BEFAST ), seizure disorder (rescue med Nayzilam ), peanut / tree-nut allergy (carry and use EpiPen ), choking risk (needs paced eating), and overheating / dehydration risk (target ~96 oz water / day , prompt q2h).

Mobility note : sometimes stumbles; on uneven / unknown surfaces, staff should be within arm’s reach ; uses AFO and may need help donning it.

blackedout isp

Key Responsibilities

Daily Support & Skill Building

Provide close & constant supervision (no alone time).

Use calm, respectful communication ; rephrase and allow time to respond; encourage self-advocacy and problem-solving.

Support bathroom routines (proactive reminders, privacy, and dignity); assist kindly after accidents if they occur.

Encourage hydration : prompt every 2 hours , carry water at all times; monitor for overheating.

Meal pacing & safety : cue small bites and slower eating; follow Red Cross choking protocol if ever needed.

Model and coach life skills (household chores, simple meal prep with step-by-step cues, tidy-up, weather-appropriate clothing).

Facilitate community access (transportation and supervision at activities like swimming, adaptive sports, tutoring, therapy, and social outings).

Implement and maintain visual schedules, choice boards, social stories, and a reward system ; reinforce desired behaviors with smiles, praise, and specific encouragement.

Support phone use safely (e.g., FaceTime preference, supervised online content).

Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Always carry and know how / when to use EpiPen for nut allergy and Nayzilam for seizures; call 911 when indicated.

Follow BEFAST stroke recognition steps and escalate immediately.

Monitor for seizure / stroke triggers (heat, dehydration), behavior changes, and signs of distress; document and report promptly.

Stay within arm’s reach on unfamiliar / uneven terrain; encourage AFO wear; provide steadying support on steps / curbs.

Administer routine meds as directed by care plan; maintain accurate medication and incident documentation .

Ensure the emergency bag / medical ID is with the client at all times.

Collaboration & Documentation

Work in partnership with family and Right at Home clinical leadership to keep routines consistent and goals on track.

Complete timely shift notes , hydration and bathroom prompts, behavior data, and any mandated reports.

Communicate proactively about schedule, activity plans, supply needs, and any health / safety concerns.

Qualifications

Required

Prior experience as a DSP , PCA, HHA, or similar 1 : 1 support role with minors or individuals with developmental / neurological conditions.

CPR & First Aid certification (or willing to obtain prior to start).

Valid driver’s license , reliable insured vehicle, and clean driving record (community transportation required).

Ability to learn and follow seizure, allergy (EpiPen), choking, and stroke ( BEFAST ) protocols precisely.

Comfortable providing intimate care support (toileting prompts / assistance) respectfully and discreetly.

Physically able to walk / stand , take stairs with the client, provide steadying support, and assist with AFO application.

Strong patience , positive reinforcement skills, and a calm, encouraging demeanor.

Ability to pass background checks and meet all Right at Home Cleveland West onboarding requirements.

Preferred

Experience with visual schedules, choice boards, social stories, reward systems , and de-escalation .

Familiarity with hydration protocols and heat-safety planning.

Experience supporting community recreation (gyms, pools, adaptive sports) and structured after-school routines.