Become A Direct Support Associate

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Working As A Direct Support Associate

Assisting and Caring for Others
Documenting/Recording Information
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Getting Information
Performing General Physical Activities

$20,980
Average Salary

What Does A Direct Support Associate Do At New York State Civil Service

* Office for People With Developmental Disabilities priority is the health and safety of the statewide 128,000 individuals with developmental disabilities receiving agency’s support.
* As a Direct Support Assistant Trainee or Direct Support Assistant, you would help individuals with developmental disabilities lead richer lives.
* Under supervision these positions will;
* Provide supports and services which involve advocating for.
* Encourage, guide and teach individuals in expressing personal choice.
* Ensure community integration.
* Assist individuals with personal hygiene care, toileting, dining, dressing, meal preparation, lifts and transfers.
* Help individuals to participate in games and recreational programs.
* Coach and encourage individuals to develop daily living skills.
* Provide a clean safe and comfortable environment.
* Work with other staff to carry out and record care plans.
* Administer medication in accordance with special instructions.
* To learn more about what direct professionals do on the job every day, go to; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnK4z3KAqtE ## Additional Comments

What Does A Direct Support Associate Do At The Arc of Steuben

* Conscientious, dedicated, self-disciplined, and a sense of responsibility.
* Ability to work independently, take initiative and prioritize multiple assignments with attention to detail and deadlines in a high volume, stressful environment.
* Proven ability to establish effective relationships and work in a team environment to meet team and company goals.
* Exercises discretion in handling confidential information.
* This includes medical, financial and personal information of associates and persons served.
* Demonstrates a working knowledge of introductory computer skills, including basic Microsoft Office skills

What Does A Direct Support Associate Do At Tradeweb Markets LLC

* Acting as key client contact for all aspects of platform
* Establishing strong relationships with clients at dealer firms
* Responding in a timely manner to client inquiries and resolving trading issues.
* Triage and escalation of technical issues to appropriate teams
* Monitoring trade blotter, establishing proper dispensation of orders.
* Ensuring accurate security master data delivered by our sec master provider as well as adding/editing accurate sec master data when needed – data entry involved

What Does A Direct Support Associate Do At Easter Seals

* Conducts daily activities to assist in the development of living skills, consistent with the residents’ Individual Program Plan (IPP) and Individual Support Plan (ISP) goals
* Assists in the administration and monitoring of medications, which may include suppositories.
* Provides personal care for residents which may include assistance with eating, personal hygiene, showering, restroom assistance, and preparing for bedtime.
* Assists in care and cleaning of residential home, which includes laundering & ironing of residents’ clothing.
* Assists and/or prepares meals in compliance with dietary restrictions; assists individuals to eat, including those who may require assistance with G-tube feeding.
* Transports individuals to health care appointments and other various locations.
* Completes all necessary reports and documentation on a daily basis

What Does A Direct Support Associate Do At Baker Victory Services

* Spend meaningful **time** allowing and encouraging “give and take” discussions
* Create an environment that is comfortable for being **open and honest** about views, feelings, and opinions
* Share **knowledge** about the organizations culture and operating standards
* Make introductions to people who can assist in both **short and long term goals** of the new employees
* Allow **open communication** around feelings of frustration; should be approachable and easy to talk to and ask questions
* Encourage** new staff to try different roles and practice new skills
* Follow through on agreements made
* Be **enthusiastic** about the dreams and aspirations of others
* Motivate and encourage** during new challenges, changes, or difficulties.
* Open to sharing personal experiences with others who may have similar concerns, issues, and challenges
* Serve as a **role model**and example
* Ability to **objectively** assess situations and interactions, and offer suggestions for growth and ongoing feedback

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How To Become A Direct Support Associate

Most personal care aides are trained on the job. There are no formal education requirements for personal care aides, but most aides have a high school diploma.

Education

Although there are no formal education requirements for personal care aides, employers may prefer candidates with a high school diploma.

Training

Aides may be trained on the job by registered nurses, other personal care aides, or their direct employer. They are trained in specific tasks, such as how to work with a client who has a cognitive impairment and how to assist a client in preparing meals.

Most employers require aides to have training or certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Important Qualities

Detail oriented. Personal care aides must follow specific rules and protocols to help take care of clients. They must pay close attention to a client’s medical condition, quickly noting any changes that may require assistance from medical personnel.

Integrity. Personal care aides should make clients feel comfortable when the aides tend to personal activities, such as helping a client bathe. In addition, personal care aides must be dependable and trustworthy so that clients and their families can rely on them.

Interpersonal skills. Sometimes clients are in extreme pain or distress, and aides must be sensitive to their emotions. Aides must be compassionate, and they must enjoy helping people.

Physical stamina. Personal care aides should be comfortable performing physical tasks. They often need to lift or turn clients who have a disability.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Personal care aides may be required to complete a formal training program depending on the state where they work, and state laws vary widely in terms of the requirements that must be met. Some states and organizations may conduct background checks on prospective aides. A competency evaluation also may be required to ensure that the aide can perform certain tasks.

There are no federal training requirements for personal care aides. For specific state requirements, contact the state’s health board.

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Direct Support Associate jobs

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Direct Support Associate Career Paths

Direct Support Associate

Direct Support Professional Case Manager

Career Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Home Health Aid Security Officer Direct Support Professional

Home Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Direct Care Supervisor 3.6 years
Human Service Technician 2.9 years
Certified Nurses' Aide 2.7 years
Personal Support Worker 2.5 years
Habilitation Training Specialist 2.4 years
Direct Support Worker 2.3 years
Rehabilitation Assistant 2.3 years
Support Worker 2.2 years
Direct Care Aide 2.2 years
Direct Care Counselor 2.2 years
Direct Service Professional 2.2 years
Direct Care Specialist 2.1 years
Direct Care Worker 2.1 years
Direct Service Provider 2.0 years
Direct Support Associate 2.0 years
Direct Care Staffer 2.0 years
Support Associate 2.0 years
Client Support Professional 2.0 years
Residential Aide 2.0 years
Direct Support Specialist 2.0 years
Direct Care Professional 1.9 years
Direct Care Provider 1.9 years
Direct Support Staff 1.9 years
Direct Support Person 1.8 years

Top Careers Before Direct Support Associate

Top Careers After Direct Support Associate

Direct Support Associate Demographics

Gender

Female
72.8%
Male
24.8%
Unknown
2.3%

Ethnicity

White
82.3%
Hispanic or Latino
8.0%
Asian
6.8%
Unknown
2.0%
Black or African American
0.9%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
46.4%
French
14.5%
German
5.8%
Japanese
4.3%
Russian
4.3%
Swahili
2.9%
Somali
2.9%
Mandarin
2.9%
Swedish
1.4%
Dutch
1.4%
Chinese
1.4%
Ukrainian
1.4%
Dakota
1.4%
Carrier
1.4%
Hindi
1.4%
Tagalog
1.4%
Arabic
1.4%
Italian
1.4%
Tamil
1.4%

Direct Support Associate

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Direct Support Associate Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
11.2%
Winona State University
10.8%
Ashford University
8.7%
Western Illinois University
6.6%
Kaplan University
5.8%
Des Moines Area Community College
5.4%
Indiana State University
5.4%
University of Nebraska at Kearney
5.0%
Southern New Hampshire University
5.0%
Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater
4.6%
Liberty University
3.7%
Walden University
3.3%
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
3.3%
Bryant and Stratton College
3.3%
Capella University
3.3%
Garden City Community College
3.3%
Colorado State University
3.3%
Iowa State University
2.9%
Winston-Salem State University
2.5%
Strayer University
2.5%

Majors

Degrees

Other
34.4%
Bachelors
28.9%
Associate
16.2%
Masters
9.5%
Certificate
6.6%
Diploma
3.3%
License
0.6%
Doctorate
0.5%

Direct Support Associate

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Top Skills for A Direct Support Associate

Top Direct Support Associate Skills

Developmental Disabilities
Direct Support
Personal Hygiene Items

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Provide people with developmental disabilities or mental health issues training in the everyday skills they need to live on their own.
Direct support officer in charge of fifteen to twenty man teams independently deployed to numerous Middle Eastern and pacific countries.
Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper.
Care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.
Explained basic life skills to residents with disabilities using PowerPoint presentations and assisted residents with daily living activities.