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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Aztec, NM (NOW HIRING)

The Direct Support Professional, Residential is responsible to provide direct support within a single program or unit within a program, typically supporting 4 - 6 individuals in residential settings ...

Our Own Lives is looking for a Direct Support Professional to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, and play in their community! Fun, flexible and REWARDING ...

Our Own Lives is looking for a Direct Support Professional to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, and play in their community! Fun, flexible and REWARDING ...

Direct Support Professional

Farmington, NM · On-site

$13.25 - $16.25/hr

CS NJ Addendum - Direct Support Professional _1001 _ MPA 3429 * * Employees must cooperate with the licensee and Department of Human Services staff in any inspection, inquiry, or investigation.

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist people with their personal hygiene and support individuals who can have behavioral challenges and ...

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Direct Support Professional information

See Aztec, NM salary details

$8

$13

$17

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Aztec, NM is $13.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.88 and $14.47 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 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.

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.

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 areas 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 cities near Aztec, NM are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs?

Cities near Aztec, NM with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:

Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Aztec, NM as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $27,938 per year, or $13.4 per hour.

Direct Support Professional

Sevita

Farmington, NM • On-site

$13.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Sevita Health rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 285 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

790th of 893 rated healthcare providers


Job description

OUR MISSION AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
At Sevita, we believe that everyone deserves to live well. For more than 50 years, our team members have provided home and community-based health care for adults, children, and their families across the United States. Our extraordinary team offers innovative, quality services and support that lead to growth and new opportunities for the people we serve and for our employees.
 
SUMMARY:
The Direct Support Professional, Residential is responsible to provide direct support within a single program or unit within a program, typically supporting 4 - 6 individuals in residential settings, or up to 10 individuals in periodic programs.  
 
The Direct Support Professional, Residential is responsible to provide direct support or assistance in accordance with individual service or program plans that may include socialization, health maintenance, medication administration and skill or behavioral development.  The Direct Support Professional, Residential assists with day-to-day activities including personal care, housekeeping, recreational activities, transportation, community integration, shopping, citizenship, and other activities of daily living.   
 
The Direct Support Professional, Residential may work fulltime or part-time.  The Direct Support Professional, Residential works at the program location and may accompany individuals into the community. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential function listed below.  

Services and Supports:
  • Direct Support:  Provides direct support or assistance in accordance with individual service or program plans; assists with socialization and behavioral development, personal care, housekeeping, recreational activities, transportation, community orientation, shopping, financial management, citizenship, and other activities of daily living.   
  • Records:  Accurately documents progress and activity; reviews records and logs to stay abreast of changes in service plans; maintains confidentiality; accurately and timely completes billing documentation as applicable. 
  • Management of Individuals’ Assets: Assists with money management, as assigned, and assures safety of individuals’ funds and property.
  • Relationships:  Maintains healthy and professional relationships with individuals, friends, families, guardians and case managers; greets family members and other visitors; implements Sevita Customer Service Standards.
  • Reporting:  Reports any instance of alleged abuse or neglect according to internal and external standards; reports medical, behavioral and other incidents in accordance with Sevita policy and external requirements.
  • Rights:  Maintains confidentiality, respects the rights of persons being served, according to applicable the bill of rights; practices universal precautions; assists individuals in exercising their rights. 
Health Care:
  • Appointments:  May accompany individuals to medical appointments; relays orders and information to and from medical providers as required.  
  • Medications:  If assigned, accurately administers and documents delivery of medications and treatments; promptly reports administration errors; maintains appropriate security of controlled medications and other medications and supplies.
  • General Health Care:  Monitors individual’s health; documents health concerns; communicates with nurse or supervisor as appropriate; calls 911 in the event of emergency; follows individual health care directives.
  • Medical Supplies and Equipment:  Correctly follows procedures in utilizing medical equipment; reports malfunction or disrepair.
  • Dietary planning:  Prepares or supports individuals to prepare food in accordance with planned menus and individual choice; knows special diets and prepares individual meals accordingly; monitors mealtime and correctly implements any dining plans.

Employment Responsibilities:
  • Training:  Attends orientation and on-going training as directed; participates in monthly staff meetings.  
  • Employee Scheduling:  Works scheduled hours; arrives for work on time; stays on shift until replacement arrives; notifies supervisor in advance when unable to work as scheduled or as soon as possible after the designated start time; may fill in for other shifts where required without causing unapproved overtime, or in the event of emergency. 
  • Teamwork:  Works together with others, values others contributions; is courteous; communicates openly; listens; and shows respect to others.  
  • Workplace Safety: Every employee plays a role in developing and maintaining a safe workplace; complies with all established safety policies, procedures, and rules; reports unsafe hazards to their supervisor and participates in safety related training or activities   
Maintenance:
  • Vehicles:  May transport individuals into the community; drives safely and according to local laws; assures proper use of safety equipment including seat belts, lifts and wheelchair ties; reports accidents to appropriate authorities immediately; reports accidents and safety concerns immediately to supervisor or maintenance personnel.  
  • Housekeeping:  Performs daily and seasonal housekeeping as directed; maintains neat, clean and safe environment; reports hazards or safety concerns.
  • Maintenance and Repair:  Monitors environmental safety and may make minor repairs, change light bulbs, etc.; may perform yard maintenance including keeping walkways safe and snow removal; reports equipment or facilities requiring repairs to supervisor or maintenance personnel as required. 
  • Safety:  Checks water temperature as required when assisting with bathing; participates in safety drills and protects persons being served in the event of emergency. 
Other:
  • Performs other related duties and activities as required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • None.
Minimum Knowledge and Skills required by the Job
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required to perform the job

Education and Experience:
  • High school diploma or equivalent  preferred.
  • Six months of experience in human services preferred. 
  • Must be 18 years of age.  

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations Required:
  • Valid driver’s license in good standing. 
  • Car registration and vehicle insurance if providing transportation for individuals receiving services.
  • All state-required training and certification completed in mandated timeframes.

Physical Requirements:
  • Heavy work. Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
 
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with assistance of a reasonable accommodations to be determined on a case by case basis.

What Sevita Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Sevita

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sevita is a leading provider of home and community-based specialized health care. We believe that everyone deserves to live a full, more independent life. We provide people with quality services and individualized support that leads to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual, or behavioral challenges they face. We've made this our mission for more than 50 years. And today, our 40,000 team members continue to innovate and enhance care for the 50,000 individuals we serve. We're an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. Sevita is a leading provider of home and community-based specialized health care, similar companies include Brookedale Senior Living, A New Hope, and North Star.

Industry

Nursing and residential care facilities

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

Year founded

1980

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