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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

Direct Support Professional Caregiver BASIC FUNCTION : Provide ongoing services to clients and individuals with needs in their community or in their home. Keeping the individual safe, working on ...

Direct Support Professional

Wasilla, AK · On-site

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

Direct Support Professional Caregiver BASIC FUNCTION : Provide ongoing services to clients and individuals with needs in their community or in their home. Keeping the individual safe, working on ...

Direct Support Professional

Wasilla, AK · On-site

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

E Direct Support Professional Caregiver BASIC FUNCTION: Provide ongoing services to clients and individuals with needs in their community or in their home. Keeping the individual safe, working on ...

Direct Support Professional

Anchorage, AK · On-site

$15.25 - $18.75/hr

Direct Support Professional Caregiver BASIC FUNCTION: Provide ongoing services to clients and individuals with needs in their community or in their home. Keeping the individual safe, working on ...

Direct Support Professional

Wasilla, AK · On-site

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

Direct Support Professional Caregiver BASIC FUNCTION: Provide ongoing services to clients and individuals with needs in their community or in their home. Keeping the individual safe, working on ...

Direct Support Professional

Anchorage, AK · On-site

$15.25 - $18.75/hr

Direct Support Professional Caregiver BASIC FUNCTION : Provide ongoing services to clients and individuals with needs in their community or in their home. Keeping the individual safe, working on ...

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Direct Support Professional information

See Alaska salary details

$10

$17

$22

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Alaska is $17.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.53 and $18.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a direct support professional?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are caregivers who assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their daily lives. They help with personal care, medication management, meal preparation, and transportation, while also supporting clients in achieving personal goals and participating in community activities. DSPs play a vital role in promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life for those they support.

What are some common challenges direct support professionals face when supporting individuals with disabilities, and how can they effectively handle them?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) often encounter challenges such as managing behavioral outbursts, ensuring effective communication with nonverbal individuals, and balancing the need for independence with safety. Handling these situations requires patience, empathy, and strong problem-solving skills. Many DSPs find it helpful to use individualized behavior support plans, maintain clear communication with team members, and participate in ongoing training. Building trust and understanding the unique needs of each individual also play a key role in overcoming daily challenges.

What is the difference between Direct Support Professional vs Personal Care Assistant?

AspectDirect Support ProfessionalPersonal Care Assistant
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, sometimes specialized trainingCPR, First Aid often required
Work EnvironmentAssisting individuals with disabilities in community or residential settingsProviding personal care in private homes or facilities
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, government agencies, healthcare providersHome care agencies, private clients

Both roles involve assisting individuals with daily activities, often requiring similar certifications like CPR and First Aid. However, Direct Support Professionals typically work in community or residential settings supporting people with disabilities, while Personal Care Assistants mainly provide personal care services in private homes. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the role that best matches their skills and career goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a direct support professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Direct Support Professional, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic caregiving knowledge, and an understanding of developmental disabilities. Familiarity with documentation systems, incident reporting tools, and sometimes CPR/First Aid certification is typically required. Patience, strong interpersonal skills, and empathy are crucial soft skills for effectively supporting individuals and building trust. These skills are vital for ensuring client safety, promoting independence, and delivering compassionate care tailored to each individual's needs.

Where do direct support professionals get paid the most?

Direct Support Professionals tend to earn higher wages in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for healthcare and social services, such as certain metropolitan areas. States or cities with a strong focus on healthcare, social services, or specialized care often offer higher pay rates for this role. Factors like experience, certifications, and the specific employer also influence salary levels.
What are the most commonly searched types of Direct Support jobs in Alaska? The most popular types of Direct Support jobs in Alaska are:
What are popular job titles related to Direct Support Professional jobs in Alaska? For Direct Support Professional jobs in Alaska, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Alaska look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Alaska are:
What cities in Alaska are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities in Alaska with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Alaska as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,477 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Direct Support Professional

Hearts and Hands of Care

Wasilla, AK • On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Hearts And Hands Of Care rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Caregiver - Experienced Direct Support Professional - Split Shift

BASIC FUNCTION : Provide ongoing services to clients and individuals with needs in their community or in their home. Keeping the individual safe, working on individualized goals, and documenting daily. Provides role model behavior by setting a positive example with behavior and work ethics. Engaging in friendly professional relationship and maintaining boundaries. Keeping open communication with the team regarding needs and expectation of service delivery.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Responsible for the high needs management of service recipients and their individuals.
  • Responsible for meeting productivity standards
  • Responsible for the implementation of the Service Plan and comprehensive documentation, staffing notes, contact notes and other forms of documentation toward the goals and objectives of the individual
  • Promotes a strengths based perspective while empowering children and individuals to reach desired outcomes.
  • Actively engages children, individuals, and other identified informal/formal supports within the Framework.
  • Will develop an individualized Service Plan with collaboration of family and team members to reflect unique child/family needs, measurable objectives, action steps to meet the needs while incorporating the family vision and family strengths to meet identified needs/goals.
  • Will develop a comprehensive crisis and safety (safety plan when necessary) within the Child and family Team.
  • Demonstrates the ability to monitor the delivery of services to ensure they are addressing service plan goals
  • Maintains a general knowledge of services and supports available in the community, both from inside and outside of the agency
  • Coordinates transportation for service recipients.
  • Interacts professionally with other stakeholders
  • Works within the Child and family Team to promote community based care while supporting the most appropriate and least restrictive setting
  • Actively assist individuals transition through life domains, services, levels of care and into adulthood.
  • Demonstrates quality written documentation that reflects correct spelling and grammar, appropriate use of behavioral health acronyms, appropriate use of therapeutic terminology
  • Demonstrates team work and shared leadership
  • Communicates with team members, supervisor, and other employees in a positive and supportive manner and returns emails/phone calls within a 24-hour turnaround time frame
  • Carries cell phone and is able to be reached during work hours
  • Comprehends and complies with the obligation to consult with his/her supervisor or clinical consultant when support is needed beyond the DSP’s capabilities
  • Submits documentation as outlined in agency standards
  • Maintain regular and reliable attendance and be punctual at all times for scheduled events
  • Will adhere to all administrative tasks as outlined in agency policies and procedures

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES ;

  • Strong interpersonal skills and customer service
  • Must have knowledge of the HIPPA laws of 1996 to maintain and safeguard confidential medical and personal records
  • Experience with documenting in the Therap data base is preferred.
  • Must have proven ability to provide descriptive notes addressing interventions used and individual response in data base.
  • Working knowledge of signs and symptoms of common illnesses and conditions
  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to consistently be at work and on time
  • Ability to maintain a confidential working relationship
  • Excellent personal organizational skills
  • Ability to follow oral and written instructions
  • Ability to communicate effectively and maintain a positive attitude in difficult situations

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age;
  • Must meet all the requirements for the position as set out in 7 AAC 125.010 – 7 AAC 125.199;
  • Must pass a Criminal Background Check requested under (c) of this section unless the department grants a variance under 7 AAC 10.935;
  • May not have been denied a health care provider license or certification for a reason related to patient services described in 7 AAC 105 – 7 AAC 160, or ever had a license or certification revoked; and
  • Must be able to independently assist the recipient with the specific ADL under 7 AAC 125.030 and services provided to the recipient
  • Must be able to attend training and obtain First Aid card issued by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other agency approved by The Department of Seniors and Disability Services
  • Must be able to attend Mandt training
  • Confirmed service in the industry with advance training in behavioral, medical or caregiver services is preferred. 
  • Must be reliable and dependable 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

  • Indoors in a home setting and or in a community setting

Schedule:

  • Various

Salary/Benefits:

  • Competitive Pay
  • Paid Time Off
  • Healthcare
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance 
  • Health Savings Account
  • 401K Savings Plan

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed. These statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks and skills required of an employee in this position. HAHOC reserves the right to require that other tasks be performed when warranted (for example by emergencies, changes in personnel or workload, corporate reorganization, or technical development).

Hearts & Hands Of Care, Inc is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, and parenthood.

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