Make work mean something.
Support Staff at NextStep help people build independence, participate in their communities, and work toward goals that matter to them.
Open Support Staff Positions
Choose a position to view the details and apply.
Direct Support Professional 1 – Okaloosa County
Direct Support Professional I (DSP I) Support individuals with developmental disabilities in their homes and communities while helping them build independence, participate in everyday activities, and work toward goals in their support plans. DSPs may assist with daily living activities, community outings, routines, supervision, and skill-building while promoting dignity, choice, and independence.
View job description
Direct Support Professional I (DSP I)
NextStep Waiver Services is seeking dependable, compassionate Direct Support Professionals to provide person-centered support to individuals with developmental disabilities in their homes and communities.
The DSP I role is focused on helping individuals increase independence, participate in everyday life, access their communities, and work toward goals identified in their support plans.
What You’ll Do
As a Direct Support Professional, you may:
- Assist individuals with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, dressing, meals, and daily routines.
- Support individuals in developing greater independence with household and community-based activities.
- Provide non-medical care, supervision, and assistance based on each individual’s needs and authorized services.
- Support community participation such as shopping, recreation, appointments, social activities, and other goal-related outings.
- Encourage choice, independence, dignity, and self-advocacy.
- Follow the individual’s support plan and authorized service goals.
- Provide appropriate prompting, redirection, and positive support.
- Maintain accurate service documentation and complete required notes in a timely manner.
- Communicate professionally with individuals, families, supervisors, and other members of the support team.
- Follow NextStep Waiver Services policies, APD requirements, confidentiality standards, and applicable health and safety procedures.
- Immediately report health, safety, behavioral, or other significant concerns according to agency procedures.
Florida APD describes Personal Supports as assistance and training with activities of daily living, non-medical care and supervision, and certain community-based activities intended to increase independence and community access. APD MyFlorida
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have at least one year of verifiable experience working directly with individuals receiving services in a medical, psychiatric, nursing, childcare, or developmental-disability setting.
- CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain required certification.
Applicants must also be able to meet required background-screening and training requirements applicable to APD waiver providers and direct-care staff.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Experience with autism, behavioral supports, communication differences, or developmental disabilities.
- Strong communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently while following an individualized support plan.
- Dependable transportation and willingness to support individuals in community settings.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
What We’re Looking For
The right DSP is more than someone who can complete a checklist.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Shows up when they say they will.
- Treats every individual with dignity and respect.
- Understands that independence looks different for every person.
- Is comfortable being active in the community.
- Can follow instructions while still using good judgment.
- Communicates when something does not seem right.
- Understands that the goal is to support the person, not take over for them.
Work Environment
Services may be provided in an individual’s home, family home, or community setting depending on the authorized service and individual support plan.
This position may involve:
- Walking and standing for extended periods.
- Assisting with household and community activities.
- Driving or accompanying individuals in the community.
- Providing personal-care assistance.
- Supporting individuals who may require close supervision or behavioral redirection.
Why Work With NextStep Waiver Services?
At NextStep Waiver Services, we believe support should help people live fuller, more independent lives.
Our DSPs help individuals build routines, develop skills, participate in their communities, and work toward goals that matter to them.
Your work is not about doing life for someone. It’s about helping them take their next step.
Equal Opportunity Employer: NextStep Waiver Services considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Direct Support Professional 1 – Bay County
Direct Support Professional I (DSP I) Support individuals with developmental disabilities in their homes and communities while helping them build independence, participate in everyday activities, and work toward goals in their support plans. DSPs may assist with daily living activities, community outings, routines, supervision, and skill-building while promoting dignity, choice, and independence.
View job description
Direct Support Professional I (DSP I)
NextStep Waiver Services is seeking dependable, compassionate Direct Support Professionals to provide person-centered support to individuals with developmental disabilities in their homes and communities.
The DSP I role is focused on helping individuals increase independence, participate in everyday life, access their communities, and work toward goals identified in their support plans.
What You’ll Do
As a Direct Support Professional, you may:
- Assist individuals with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, dressing, meals, and daily routines.
- Support individuals in developing greater independence with household and community-based activities.
- Provide non-medical care, supervision, and assistance based on each individual’s needs and authorized services.
- Support community participation such as shopping, recreation, appointments, social activities, and other goal-related outings.
- Encourage choice, independence, dignity, and self-advocacy.
- Follow the individual’s support plan and authorized service goals.
- Provide appropriate prompting, redirection, and positive support.
- Maintain accurate service documentation and complete required notes in a timely manner.
- Communicate professionally with individuals, families, supervisors, and other members of the support team.
- Follow NextStep Waiver Services policies, APD requirements, confidentiality standards, and applicable health and safety procedures.
- Immediately report health, safety, behavioral, or other significant concerns according to agency procedures.
Florida APD describes Personal Supports as assistance and training with activities of daily living, non-medical care and supervision, and certain community-based activities intended to increase independence and community access. APD MyFlorida
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have at least one year of verifiable experience working directly with individuals receiving services in a medical, psychiatric, nursing, childcare, or developmental-disability setting.
- CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain required certification.
Applicants must also be able to meet required background-screening and training requirements applicable to APD waiver providers and direct-care staff.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Experience with autism, behavioral supports, communication differences, or developmental disabilities.
- Strong communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently while following an individualized support plan.
- Dependable transportation and willingness to support individuals in community settings.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
What We’re Looking For
The right DSP is more than someone who can complete a checklist.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Shows up when they say they will.
- Treats every individual with dignity and respect.
- Understands that independence looks different for every person.
- Is comfortable being active in the community.
- Can follow instructions while still using good judgment.
- Communicates when something does not seem right.
- Understands that the goal is to support the person, not take over for them.
Work Environment
Services may be provided in an individual’s home, family home, or community setting depending on the authorized service and individual support plan.
This position may involve:
- Walking and standing for extended periods.
- Assisting with household and community activities.
- Driving or accompanying individuals in the community.
- Providing personal-care assistance.
- Supporting individuals who may require close supervision or behavioral redirection.
Why Work With NextStep Waiver Services?
At NextStep Waiver Services, we believe support should help people live fuller, more independent lives.
Our DSPs help individuals build routines, develop skills, participate in their communities, and work toward goals that matter to them.
Your work is not about doing life for someone. It’s about helping them take their next step.
Equal Opportunity Employer: NextStep Waiver Services considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Tell us about yourself.
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