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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Meriden, CT (NOW HIRING)

Dungarvin

Direct Support Professional

New Britain, CT

$19/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Dedicated training department with paid training A Direct Support Professiona l (DSP) caregiver provides direct support, positive direction, instruction, and assistance to individuals with mental ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Bristol, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate:$19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations:Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury and Greater Bristol Area Schedule:Guaranteed set ...

Dungarvin

Direct Support Professional

New Britain, CT

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Dedicated training department with paid training A Direct Support Professiona l (DSP) caregiver provides direct support, positive direction, instruction, and assistance to individuals with mental ...

Dungarvin

Direct Support Professional

New Britain, CT · On-site

$19/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Dedicated training department with paid training A Direct Support Professiona l (DSP) caregiver provides direct support, positive direction, instruction, and assistance to individuals with mental ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Waterbury, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury and Greater Bristol Area Schedule: Guaranteed set ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Newtown, CT

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury area Schedule: Guaranteed set schedules available ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Newtown, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate:$19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations:Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury area Schedule:Guaranteed set schedules available ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Waterbury, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate:$19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations:Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury and Greater Bristol Area Schedule:Guaranteed set ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Bristol, CT

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury and Greater Bristol Area Schedule: Guaranteed set ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Waterbury, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Description Direct Support Professional No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury and Greater Bristol Area Schedule:

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Waterbury, CT

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury and Greater Bristol Area Schedule: Guaranteed set ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Bristol, CT

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury and Greater Bristol Area Schedule: Guaranteed set ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Newtown, CT

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury area Schedule: Guaranteed set schedules available ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Brookfield, CT

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury area Schedule: Guaranteed set schedules available ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Brookfield, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate:$19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations:Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury area Schedule:Guaranteed set schedules available ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Brookfield, CT

$19 - $19.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Direct Support Professional | No Experience Required Pay Rate: $19.00 to $19.50 per hour Locations: Multiple programs across the Greater Danbury area Schedule: Guaranteed set schedules available ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDirect Support Professional JobsDirect Support Professional Jobs in Meriden, CT

Direct Support Professional information

See Meriden, CT salary details

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How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Meriden, CT is $15.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.13 and $17.21 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 Meriden, CT look for?

The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Meriden, CT are:

What cities near Meriden, CT are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs?

Cities near Meriden, CT with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:

Direct Support Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Meriden, CT 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 $33,197 per year, or $16 per hour.

Direct Support Professional - Part Time

Community Systems, Inc.

Torrington, CT • On-site

$21.18/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

  • Job Requirement
    As a Direct Support Professional (DSP) the primary job responsibility is, "helping persons with disabilities to find happiness in their own homes, in their personal relationships and as contributing members of their community.
    The Direct Support Professional is responsible for a variety of duties related to the overall care of individuals with disabilities. Work includes assisting each person to live in a home of his or her own, teaching and assisting with daily living skills, assisting with personal care, and promoting and advocating for the wellness of the people supported. This position helps achieve CSI's mission by providing day to day supports which includes teaching, coaching, and supervising. The Direct Support Professional is expected to think independently; to ensure people are supported in a manner that conforms to all applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations and standards
    Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:
    • Support and implement the CSI mission while empowering each person supported to direct his or her own life
    • Develop and maintain a positive and effective relationship with persons supported. Interacting positively, actively and respectfully with persons supported
    • Provide opportunities for learning new skills and having new life experiences
    • Teach and role-model appropriate social behavior
    • Provide supports to people by assisting in the development and implementation of their vision statement and in turn all support plans, including personal spiritual growth, assisting people in achieving their personal goals and desires, providing interaction and choices for activities that support a meaningful day, and supporting people to be independent in activities of daily living
    • Support each person's optimal health, which includes, but is not limited to administering medications, assisting people to medical appointments, and communicating with physicians and other healthcare professionals
    • Ensure that people are supported to exercise their rights
    • Respectfully assists each person with maintaining a clean and safe home that reflects his or her preferences
    • Obtain and maintains, at least, all required certifications and trainings
    • Maintain optimal communication and cooperative working relationships with the team, family, guardians and other stakeholders
    • Assists each person with money management while safeguarding his or her funds
    • Completes required documentation in a timely manner
    • Able to work 12 hour shifts
    • Adheres to CSI policies and procedures to ensure the safety of persons supported
    • Perform other duties as assigned

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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