Direct Support Professional
About this role
Caregiver | Direct Support Professional DSP | Home Health
Location: Connecticut
Employment Type: Flexible
Work Location: Field-Based
Schedule: Flexible
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable Connecticut law
About Our Company
OneWell Health Care and its affiliate, OneWell of Connecticut LLC, are dedicated to empowering individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism to lead fulfilling, self-directed lives. We provide compassionate, person-centered care that promotes dignity, independence, and inclusion across community and home settings.
Position Summary
The Caregiver | Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides person-centered, community-based support to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Autism. The DSP assists individuals with daily living activities, skill development, health and safety monitoring, and community participation while promoting dignity, independence, and inclusion in alignment with Connecticut regulatory standards and OneWell Health Care values.
Position Scope
This position operates within the IDD Services Department and reports to the Program Supervisor, Clinical Supervisor, or designated leadership. The Caregiver | Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides direct support services in residential homes, community settings, and/or day programs throughout Connecticut. The role requires adherence to individualized service plans (ISPs), behavioral support plans, and all applicable state and federal regulations.
Key Responsibilities
The Caregiver | Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides person-centered support to individuals with IDD, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), implementing Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) and Behavioral Support Plans (BSPs), supporting community integration, and promoting independence. Responsibilities include medication administration (as certified), monitoring health and safety, maintaining clean and safe environments, responding to incidents, and completing accurate and timely documentation. The DSP collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, participates in required trainings and meetings, assists with transportation and appointments, and supports quality improvement efforts in compliance with agency and regulatory standards.
Regulatory Frameworks
This role operates in compliance with:
- Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) regulations
- Medicaid (HUSKY Health) requirements
- CMS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rules
- HIPAA privacy standards
- OSHA safety standards
- Applicable Connecticut labor laws
Confidentiality
The Caregiver | Direct Support Professional (DSP) must maintain strict confidentiality of participant health, behavioral, financial, and personal information in accordance with HIPAA, DDS requirements, and OneWell Health Care policies.
Documentation Requirements
The DSP is responsible for accurate and timely completion of:
- Daily service notes
- Progress notes
- Medication Administration Records (MARs)
- Incident reports
- Behavioral data tracking
- Attendance and timekeeping records
All documentation must meet agency, Medicaid, and state compliance standards.
Certifications
Preferred but not required upon hire (may be required after employment):
- CPR and First Aid Certification
- Medication Administration Certification (per Connecticut DDS standards)
- PMT/CPI or approved behavioral intervention training
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required
- Minimum age of 18 years
Experience
- Experience working with individuals with IDD preferred
- Experience in behavioral support or community-based services preferred
Technical Skills
- Ability to use electronic documentation systems
- Basic computer and mobile application proficiency
- Ability to follow written service plans and protocols
- Safe lifting and transfer techniques
Languages
English proficiency required (spoken and written) Bilingual abilities are a plus
Driver License
Valid Driver’s License required Reliable transportation and acceptable driving record Ability to transport participants when required
Travel Requirement
Local travel within assigned Connecticut service areas may be required to support participants in community settings, appointments, and activities. Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required based on participant needs.
Benefits
Compensation and Financial Benefits
- Paid sick leave
- Vacation time
- Very competitive wages
- Overtime pay
- Referral bonuses
- Weekly direct deposit
- DailyPay (get paid before payday)
- Mileage reimbursement (if applicable)
- Retirement plan benefits 401(k)
Health & Wellness Benefits (available for full time employees)
- Medical (PPO, Flex, and HSA plans)
- Dental
- Vision
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Hospital Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance & Other Benefits
- Flexible scheduling
- Supportive supervisor and work environment
Legal Disclaimer
This job description reflects the general nature and scope of the role and is not exhaustive. OneWell Health Care reserves the right to revise responsibilities, qualifications, or expectations at its discretion, consistent with applicable law. Employment is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice.
If you are passionate about supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment, we encourage you to apply today.
Join OneWell Health Care — where your work truly changes lives.
Benefits
Charles Nightlinger
Direct Support Professional
Transcript
0:00
You really don't know the impact you can make on somebody's life until you start doing it.
0:12
My name is Charles Nightlinger, and I started as a Direct Support Professional here at OneWell. You're working and coordinating their schedule for the day — making sure their needs are taken care of first, whether that's medication, appointments, or anything they have planned.
0:30
And most of the time you also have downtime with the individual — going to a park, playing a board game, something that makes them feel fulfilled and like they're really connecting with their staff.
0:46
One individual I worked with had a hard time building connections. He didn't get along with a lot of people — not because he was unfriendly, but because he didn't know how to interact or relate to them.
1:00
I worked with him for several years, and over that time I slowly realized that every day he would come and greet me, where normally he would just run away and hide in his room. By working with him every day and doing his daily routines together, we built up those connections and bonds.
1:22
It got to the point where he would run and greet me at the door — he'd open it because he knew I was coming.
1:30
The team here at OneWell is a lot of different people coming together under one idea: helping our individuals. I started at a DSP-level position, and through hard work and dedication they've continually pushed me up through the different departments in the organization.
1:47
Go for it. Just go into the role knowing that every day is different. There will be challenging days, and there will be days that just skate by where it feels like you clocked in and already had a great day with your individual. Everybody has off days; everybody has amazing days.
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