3+ Direct Support Professional Resume Examples and Templates

What Do Hiring Managers Look for in a Direct Support Professional Resume

1. Empathy and compassion for individuals with disabilities or special needs.
2. Patience in providing support for daily activities and behavior management.
3. Strong communication skills to understand unique needs and preferences.
4. Flexibility and adaptability to adjust to changing situations and individual requirements.
5. Problem-solving skills to address challenges and find effective solutions.

How to Write a Direct Support Professional Resume?

To write a professional Direct Support Professional resume, follow these steps:

• Select the right Direct Support Professional resume template.
• Write a professional summary at the top explaining your Direct Support Professional’s experience and achievements.
• Follow the STAR method while writing your Direct Support Professional resume’s work experience. Show what you were responsible for and what you achieved as a Direct Support Professional.
• List your top Direct Support Professional skills in a separate skills section.

How to Write Your Direct Support Professional Resume Header?

Write the perfect Direct Support Professional resume header by:

• Adding your full name at the top of the header.
• Add a photo to your resume if you are applying for jobs outside of the US. For applying to jobs within the US, avoid adding photo to your resume header.
• Add your current Direct Support Professional position to the header to show relevance.
• Add your current city, your phone number and a professional email address.
• Finally, add a link to your portfolio to the Direct Support Professional resume header. If there’s no portfolio link to add, consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile instead.

Bad Direct Support Professional Resume Example - Header Section

Marianna 308 E. Homewood Lane Westford, MA 01886 Marital Status: Married, email: cooldude2022@gmail.com

Good Direct Support Professional Resume Example - Header Section

Marianna Hickman, Westford, MA, Phone number: +1-555-555-5555, Link: linkedin/in/johndoe

Make sure to add a professional looking email address while writing your resume header. Let’s assume your name is John Doe - here is a formula you can use to create email addresses:

• firstnamelastname@email.com - johndoe@email.com
• firstname.lastname@email.com - john.doe@email.com
• lastname.firstname@email.com - doe.john@email.com
• f.lastname@email.com - j.doe@email.com
• l.firstname@email.com - d.john@email.com
• firstnamelastname12@email.com - johndoe12@email.com

For a Direct Support Professional email, we recommend you either go with a custom domain name (john@johndoe.com) or select a very reputed email provider (Gmail or Outlook).

How to Write a Professional Direct Support Professional Resume Summary?

Use this template to write the best Direct Support Professional resume summary: Direct Support Professional with [number of years] experience of [top 2-3 skills]. Achieved [top achievement]. Expert at [X], [Y] and [Z].

How to Write a Direct Support Professional Resume Experience Section?

Here’s how you can write a job winning Direct Support Professional resume experience section:

• Write your Direct Support Professional work experience in a reverse chronological order.
• Use bullets instead of paragraphs to explain your Direct Support Professional work experience.
• While describing your work experience focus on highlighting what you did and the impact you made (you can use numbers to describe your success as a Direct Support Professional).
• Use action verbs in your bullet points.

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Direct Support Professional Resume Example

Top Direct Support Professional Resume Skills for 2023

1. Personal Care Assistance
2. Medication Administration
3. First Aid and CPR
4. Behavioral Support Techniques
5. Crisis Intervention and De-escalation
6. Assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
7. Documentation and Record-Keeping
8. Individualized Care Planning
9. Client Advocacy and Rights Protection
10. Communication Skills (verbal and non-verbal)
11. Active Listening and Empathy
12. Sensory Integration Techniques
13. Meal Planning and Preparation
14. Mobility Assistance
15. Safety Procedures and Risk Assessment
16. Assistive Technology Usage and Support
17. Inclusion and Community Integration
18. Cognitive and Social Skill Development
19. Positive Behavior Support Planning
20. Health Monitoring and Reporting
21. Transferring and Lifting Techniques
22. Individualized Behavior Plans
23. Communication Aids and Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices
24. Autism Spectrum Disorders Support
25. Developmental Disabilities Support
26. Mental Health Support and Counseling
27. Supportive Employment Skills Training
28. Crisis Prevention and Intervention
29. Health and Hygiene Education
30. Personal Budgeting and Financial Management Support
31. Advocacy for Accessible Transportation
32. Person-Centered Planning
33. Social and Recreational Activities Planning
34. Community Resources and Referrals
35. Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity
36. Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Teams
37. Sensory Room Setup and Support
38. Positive Reinforcement Strategies
39. Task Analysis and Instruction
40. Self-Advocacy Skills Development
41. Safe Medication Handling and Administration
42. Risk Assessment and Management

How Long Should my Direct Support Professional Resume be?

Your Direct Support Professional resume length should be less than one or two pages maximum. Unless you have more than 25 years of experience, any resume that’s more than two pages would appear to be too long and risk getting rejected.

On an average, for Direct Support Professional, we see most resumes have a length of 2. And, that’s why we advise you to keep the resume length appropriate to not get rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Direct Support Professional Resume

1. What does a Direct Support Professional (DSP) do?

   • A Direct Support Professional provides care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or mental health conditions. They assist clients with activities of daily living, facilitate community integration, and promote independence and self-advocacy.

2. What qualifications are important for a Direct Support Professional position?

   • Qualifications typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, completion of training in human services or a related field, and relevant experience working with individuals with disabilities. Some positions may require certification in CPR and First Aid.

3. What kind of experience should a Direct Support Professional highlight on their resume?

   • Experience in providing direct care and support to individuals with disabilities, including assisting with personal hygiene, medication management, meal preparation, and transportation, is crucial for a Direct Support Professional. Highlighting proficiency in behavior management, crisis intervention, and documentation is important.

4. How important is it for a Direct Support Professional to demonstrate empathy and patience on their resume?

   • Empathy and patience are vital for a Direct Support Professional as they work with individuals who may have complex needs and challenges. Highlighting experience in building trusting relationships, actively listening to clients' concerns, and providing emotional support is essential.

5. Should a Direct Support Professional include their experience with community integration on their resume?

   • Yes, mentioning experience with community integration activities, including facilitating outings, participating in recreational events, and connecting clients with community resources and social opportunities, can demonstrate the Professional's commitment to promoting inclusion and independence.

6. What soft skills are important for a Direct Support Professional to highlight on their resume?

   • Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and cultural competence are crucial for a Direct Support Professional. These skills contribute to effectively collaborating with clients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to meet individual needs and preferences.

7. Is it necessary for a Direct Support Professional to mention their experience with behavior management on their resume?

   • Yes, mentioning experience with behavior management techniques, including implementing positive behavior support plans, de-escalating challenging behaviors, and teaching coping skills and self-regulation strategies, can demonstrate the Professional's ability to create a safe and supportive environment for clients.

8. How should a Direct Support Professional tailor their resume for different client populations or care settings?

   • A Direct Support Professional should highlight experience and skills relevant to the specific client populations or care settings they have worked with, whether it's individuals with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or mental health conditions. Emphasizing familiarity with person-centered approaches, individualized care plans, and specialized interventions can be beneficial.

9. Should a Direct Support Professional include their educational background on their resume?

   • Yes, including educational background such as completion of relevant training programs, certifications, or coursework in human services, disability studies, or psychology is important. This provides credibility and demonstrates the foundational knowledge necessary for the role.

10. How can a Direct Support Professional make their resume visually appealing and easy to read?

    • Utilizing clear headings, bullet points to highlight key skills and experiences, and a professional layout are important aspects of resume formatting. Additionally, including specific examples of successful client outcomes or contributions to program development, along with any relevant awards or recognitions, can enhance the overall presentation of the resume.