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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Hamilton, ON

TheKey

Caregiver/PSW (casual, part-time)

Burlington, ON

CA$18 - CA$21/hr

Personal Support Workers (PSWs) primary responsibilities will be managing activities of daily ... You are a compassionate professional with a profound desire to make a difference. Your dedication ...

Right at Home Canada

PSW Homecare P/T

Burlington, ON · On-site

They are responsible and hold themselves to the highest professional standards. * Our Care Team members have a strong desire to work with a local employer who views them as family, and are committed ...

Right at Home Canada

PSW Homecare P/T

Burlington, ON

They are responsible and hold themselves to the highest professional standards. * Our Care Team members have a strong desire to work with a local employer who views them as family, and are committed ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDirect Support Professional JobsDirect Support Professional Jobs in Hamilton, ON

Direct Support Professional information

See Hamilton, ON salary details

$7

$12

$18

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Hamilton, ON is $12.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.75 and $14.72 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.
More about Direct Support Professional jobs
What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Hamilton, ON look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Hamilton, ON are:
What cities near Hamilton, ON are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Hamilton, ON with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Direct Support Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Hamilton, ON 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 $26,937 per year, or $13 per hour.

Caregiver/PSW (casual, part-time)

TheKey

Burlington, ON

CA$18 - CA$21/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

TheKey rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

  • Competitive compensation
  • Flexible schedules to fit your lifestyle
  • Opportunities for career growth within the company
  • Paid Training

What You Will Do:

As a caregiver at TheKey, you will play a vital role in implementing personalized care plans that cater to the holistic needs of our clients. You will deliver outstanding care by assisting with various daily activities and managing the overall well-being of clients. Treating our clients like family is a core value at TheKey, and we encourage our caregivers to go above and beyond to improve their quality of life.

Personal Support Workers (PSWs) primary responsibilities will be managing activities of daily living (ADLs) and maintaining clients' autonomy. Applicants of interest will work primarily with the elderly in autonomous, semi-autonomous, and total care conditions. Applicants of interest will primarily work with clients providing one-on-one support but may also be asked to provide floor duty support to senior care residences as well.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

  • Assisting a client with their ADLs and IADLs
  • Assisting with personal care, hygiene, and grooming Assisting with toileting, incontinence pads, emptying a catheter bag
  • Assisting with ambulation, transfers, lifts, repositioning, and exercises
  • Meal preparation, feeding, and encouragement with nutrition
  • Medication reminders
  • Companionship and engagement
  • Light housekeeping
  • Regular communication, documentation, and feedback
  • Implementing TheKey’s Balanced Care Method™

Who You Are:

You are a compassionate professional with a profound desire to make a difference. Your dedication to enhancing the lives of seniors and commitment to service excellence sets you apart. Every day, you strive to impact positively on the lives of those you serve.

Required Skills, Education, and Certifications:

  • Minimum of 1 Year of professional caregiving experience
  • Ability to communicate fluently in English (both verbal and written)
  • Ability to adapt to and prioritize client’s needs
  • Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure
  • Willingness to learn and grow in an ever-changing industry
  • Clear vulnerable sector check (valid within 1 year)
  • Proof of eligibility to work in Canada
  • Minimum 2 professional references
  • 2nd dose Covid Vaccine
  • Dynamic, punctual, reliable, optimistic, courteous, and proactive

Preferred Skills, Education, and Certifications:

  • 1 to 3 years of professional caregiving experience preferred
  • PSW, DSW, HSW license or International Nurse certification or 5-10 years of professional caregiving experience strongly preferred
  • CPR and First Aid

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to reliably travel to client homes and office location(s)
  • Ability to safely perform client transfers with weight-bearing requirements, contingent upon client condition and needs
  • Ability to sit, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time throughout the workday

Job ID:

2026-13554
 

What TheKey employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

TheKey logo

About TheKey

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

TheKey is proud to be the largest private-pay provider for senior companionship and home care for aging seniors in North America. We stand for optimal well being in our clients and pride of purpose in our care teams.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Delray Beach, FL, US

Year founded

2002

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