Direct Support Professional

Direct Care Worker / Attendant Caregiver

Location: Tempe, Arizona
Position Type: In-Home Direct Care / Attendant Care
Schedule: Day, Evening, and Overnight Shifts Available
Care Setting: Private Residence – One-on-One Support

Position Overview

We are seeking compassionate, dependable, and experienced Direct Care Workers to provide individualized, one-on-one support for an adult gentleman with developmental disabilities and significant physical support needs in his home in Tempe, Arizona.

This position is ideal for a caregiver who understands the importance of patience, consistency, safety, and building meaningful relationships with the individuals they support.

Our member is friendly, social, and enjoys interacting with others. He loves puzzles, coloring, basketball, bowling, and opportunities to participate in activities with people around him. While he requires substantial assistance with daily living, he enjoys helping his caregivers and being involved in his own routines.

Our goal is to provide exceptional care while protecting his dignity, encouraging independence, and helping him continue living comfortably and safely in his own home.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Personal Care and Daily Living Assistance

• Provide hands-on assistance with bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, and personal hygiene.
• Assist with toileting, incontinence care, and changing protective undergarments as needed.
• Support safe daily routines while encouraging the member to participate in tasks to the best of his abilities.
• Maintain a clean, comfortable, and safe personal environment.
• Assist with repositioning and daily comfort needs in accordance with his care plan.

2. Mobility and Fall Prevention

• Provide close supervision and physical assistance during walking, standing, and transfers.
• Assist with safe wheelchair use and mobility equipment.
• Follow approved transfer techniques and use appropriate equipment.
• Remain attentive to significant balance difficulties and fall risks.
• Provide reassurance, patience, and encouragement when the member experiences fear or hesitation about standing or walking.
• Immediately report falls, injuries, or significant changes in mobility.

3. Meal Preparation and Feeding Safety

• Prepare meals according to the member’s prescribed dietary and texture requirements, including pureed foods and thickened liquids.
• Provide close supervision and assistance during meals to reduce choking and aspiration risks.
• Follow all individualized feeding and swallowing precautions.
• Monitor for coughing, choking, difficulty swallowing, or breathing concerns.
• Maintain cleanliness and food safety standards.

4. Health and Safety Monitoring

• Provide consistent supervision according to the member’s individualized safety plan.
• Monitor for changes in breathing, alertness, comfort, mobility, or general well-being.
• Follow established nighttime safety precautions, including positioning and aspiration-prevention instructions.
• Assist with medication routines or approved health-related tasks only within the caregiver’s authorized training and scope of responsibility.
• Recognize potential medical emergencies and follow established emergency response procedures.
• Communicate health and safety concerns promptly to the appropriate supervisor and guardian.

5. Companionship and Community Engagement

• Develop a positive, trusting, and respectful relationship with the member.
• Encourage participation in activities such as puzzles, coloring, games, and other preferred hobbies.
• Support appropriate social interaction and opportunities for community involvement.
• Assist with approved outings and appointments when scheduled and authorized.
• Encourage independence, personal choices, and meaningful participation in everyday life.

6. Communication and Emotional Support

• Communicate in a calm, positive, respectful, and reassuring manner.
• Use encouragement and supportive guidance rather than unnecessarily directive communication.
• Demonstrate patience when the member is anxious, hesitant, or resistant to an activity.
• Respect the member’s routines, preferences, personal boundaries, and dignity.
• Maintain professional communication with the member’s guardian and care team.

7. Documentation and Professional Accountability

• Accurately clock in and out using the required Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system.
• Complete detailed and timely daily shift notes.
• Document services provided, meaningful activities, and changes in the member’s condition.
• Report incidents and concerns according to agency and Arizona DDD procedures.
• Communicate effectively with incoming caregivers to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow all applicable member-rights and safety requirements.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience providing direct care, attendant care, or personal care to adults with developmental disabilities.
• Is comfortable providing significant hands-on personal care.
• Has experience assisting individuals with limited mobility, balance difficulties, and wheelchair use.
• Understands the importance of choking prevention, safe feeding, and fall precautions.
• Is patient, dependable, observant, and attentive to detail.
• Can maintain a calm and supportive approach during challenging situations.
• Can follow individualized care plans and established safety procedures.
• Is comfortable working collaboratively with family members and other caregivers.
• Meets applicable Arizona DDD, agency, background screening, and training requirements.
• Is willing to complete member-specific training before independently providing care.

Experience supporting individuals with dementia, Down syndrome, swallowing difficulties, or complex mobility needs is strongly preferred.

Scheduling and Availability

The member’s care plan provides for 24-hour attendant care coverage, requiring a coordinated team of dependable caregivers.

Opportunities may include:

• Day shifts
• Evening shifts
• Overnight shifts
• Weekend shifts
• Consistent recurring schedules

Individual schedules and available hours will be discussed during the interview process.

What Makes This Position Special

This is more than assisting someone with daily routines. It is an opportunity to become a consistent, trusted presence in someone’s life.

Our member enjoys conversation, companionship, laughter, and opportunities to participate in everyday activities. He benefits from caregivers who recognize his abilities, understand his needs, and encourage him without rushing or pressuring him.

We are looking for someone who sees the person first, understands the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment, and takes pride in helping another individual experience comfort, connection, and quality of life.

If you are a compassionate, reliable caregiver who believes everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, valued, and supported in their own home, we would love to hear from you.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 6 months of experience in direct care, caregiving, or supporting individuals with developmental or physical disabilities.
• Must successfully complete all required background checks and registry screenings.
• Must have current CPR and First Aid certification or obtain certification before providing services.
• Must complete Arizona DDD Article 9 training and applicable Direct Care Worker (DCW) level 1 and level 2 training and competency requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Must be dependable, responsible, patient, and compassionate.
• Ability to complete electronic visit verification (EVV), timekeeping, and service documentation accurately.
• Willingness to complete member-specific training and orientation before beginning assigned duties.
• Ability to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must maintain required certifications and complete ongoing training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), Direct Care Worker (DCW), caregiver, or personal care assistant.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental or physical disabilities.
• Familiarity with Arizona DDD, AHCCCS, and home and community-based services.
• Current Article 9, CPR/First Aid, and applicable DCW competency qualifications.

• Assist individuals with daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and personal hygiene.
• Provide assistance with meal preparation, feeding, and nutritional routines as needed.
• Support mobility, walking, positioning, and transfers using appropriate techniques and equipment within assigned training.
• Perform light housekeeping, laundry, and other household activities related to the individual's care.
• Provide supervision and support to ensure member safety and well-being.
• Follow each member's Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) and individualized care instructions.
• Assist with authorized community outings, appointments, and daily activities.
• Encourage independence, personal choice, and participation in daily living activities.
• Complete accurate electronic visit verification (EVV), service notes, and required documentation.
• Recognize and report changes in a member's health, behavior, or overall well-being.
• Maintain professional communication with supervisors, families, and other care team members.
• Follow all safety procedures, emergency protocols, and agency policies.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and respect for member rights.
• Arrive on time, maintain reliable attendance, and provide appropriate supervision throughout assigned shifts.
• Perform duties that may involve standing, walking, bending, assisting with personal care, and supporting mobility or transfers.
• Perform all essential job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with agency management, ensuring timely reporting of incidents, concerns, changes in member conditions, and other important information in accordance with agency policies and reporting procedures.