In human services, Direct Support Professionals, or DSPs, are a big part of making a positive difference. They’re front-line team members who make our clients smile, progress, and thrive.

While the job can be challenging, it can also be truly rewarding. When DSPs put their heart into their job, the returns are amazing.

What are DSPs?

My company, Community Integrated Services (CIS), offers community care for people with developmental disabilities and a history of challenging behavior. These folks are our clients.

DSPs, or Direct Support Professionals, work directly with our clients, helping them learn to take care of themselves and their homes, working to manage behavioral issues, helping them shop, and in many cases, even supporting them with a job.

While it may sound low-key, before anyone can work with people with developmental disabilities, our DSPs undergo on-the-job training. In addition, DSPs are held to a high, nationally validated Code of Ethics and a set of Core Competencies.

Finding Joy and Success in a Job Well Done

In this employment market, many people can find a range of openings with relatively good starting pay. Running a cash register, working in a warehouse, or driving an Uber are relatively easy jobs. But for many people, those situations also become dull or boring. Easy, low-stress positions sound attractive to some, but these occupations work against human nature. Humans need challenges. We find the most satisfaction when we tackle jobs that clearly matter.

DSPs are working to help people who society often ignores. Our teams find joy in addressing complex situations and in helping the “less fortunate” among us – those that others won’t.

Experiencing challenging situations helps our team members to be genuinely grateful for our individual blessings. I often say that many of us come into the world with precious advantages: intelligence, basic education, a reliable family, friends, and reasonable health.

It can become easy to forget how lucky we are to have these things. But when DSPs work with our clients, it’s hard to ignore the fact that having seemingly small advantages can make significant differences. Many clients come to us with a history of abuse, incarceration, homelessness, or other challenging circumstances that may contribute to behavioral issues. They may also have physical and psychiatric conditions that require medication, monitoring, and professional medical attention.

Care Through Coaching

DSPs are more than personal caregivers. They don’t do things for the clients. Instead, DSPs help clients learn how to do things for themselves. In a way, they are coaches. For example, DSPs don’t shop for clients but may take clients to a store and coach them during the shopping process. They don’t make food for clients, but they may teach them how to operate a microwave, fry an egg, or prepare pasta. The idea is to help an individual be as independent as possible. We may have someone that is non-verbal and considered significantly delayed, but we can still help them learn to sort the dark clothes from the light clothes, how to scoop the laundry soap into the washer dispenser, and to press the button to start the washer. Even the completion of the seemingly minutest chore can become a huge boost to someone’s sense of self. And, of course, we celebrate such moments with the individual. A “woo-hoo” here and there can brighten anyone’s day.

All community care at CIS is based on individual instruction and support plans (IISP) and positive behavior support plans (PBSP). Care specialists create these plans for each client. DSPs follow these plans closely to meet clients’ emotional, practical, and medical needs.

These plans are used as a life planning process. They’re designed to enable people with developmental disabilities to live their best life. DSPs play a pivotal role in these plans, and that can be immensely rewarding.

Becoming a DSP is a Great Way to Start a New Career

Finding joy in work is vital. But it’s even better if a rewarding job is a stepping stone to a meaningful career. Becoming a Direct Support Professional is a great way to begin a career in human services, community care, and related fields.

At CIS, we offer fully paid DSP training and even cover certain certification costs (NAR if working with a delegated client). We also offer very competitive starting wages. Candidates do not need to have prior experience. Full-time employees receive generous benefits, and we often promote from within. So, at CIS, DSPs are often surrounded by managers and support teams who also started as DSPs within these very walls.

If a job as a DSP sounds appealing to you, I strongly encourage you to apply at CIS for positions in South King County and Spokane. We keep job listings current on career page. We’re hiring at both locations and would love to meet you!