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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Mount Prospect, IL

Direct Support Professional

Morton Grove, IL ยท On-site

$15 - $18.25/hr

The Opportunity As a Direct Support Professional, you will play a direct care role, assisting individuals with severe developmental disabilities to learn skills of daily living. This can include ...

Direct Support Professional

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$21.92/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Direct Support Professional Join us - and do work that matters. We're a passionate team of change-makers, diverse thinkers, and problem-solvers. Our purpose: ensuring full access to quality living ...

Direct Support Professional

Highland Park, IL ยท On-site

$20.25 - $22.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Direct Support Professional is responsible for delivering direct services to adults in Keshet's Residential Program in a manner that respects the person's needs as well as enhances their ...

Direct Support Professional

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$21.92/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Direct Support Professional Join us - and do work that matters. We're a passionate team of change-makers, diverse thinkers, and problem-solvers. Our purpose: ensuring full access to quality living ...

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Hillside, IL

$20.50 - $21.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) acts as an advocate for individuals by supporting their personal needs, encouraging respectful interactions with others, and creating a positive living ...

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Hillside, IL ยท On-site

$20.50 - $21.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) acts as an advocate for individuals by supporting their personal needs, encouraging respectful interactions with others, and creating a positive living ...

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Libertyville, IL ยท On-site

$14.50 - $17.75/hr

Direct Support Professional (DSP) JOB STATUS: Non-exempt (hourly) BASIC FUNCTION: Works in a direct care capacity with adults diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities to teach daily ...

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Northbrook, IL ยท On-site

$15.25 - $18.50/hr

Direct Support Professional (DSP) JOB STATUS: Non-exempt (hourly) BASIC FUNCTION: Works in a direct care capacity with adults diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities to teach daily ...

Direct Support Professional

Highland Park, IL ยท On-site

$20.25 - $22.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Direct Support Professional is responsible for delivering direct services to adults in Keshet's Residential Program in a manner that respects the person's needs as well as enhances their ...

Direct Support Professional

Glenview, IL ยท On-site

$14.75 - $18/hr

The Opportunity As a Direct Support Professional, you will play a direct care role, assisting individuals with severe developmental disabilities to learn skills of daily living. This can include ...

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Mundelein, IL ยท On-site

$15.25 - $18.75/hr

Direct Support Professional (DSP) JOB STATUS: Non-exempt (hourly) BASIC FUNCTION: Works in a direct care capacity with adults diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities to teach daily ...

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Mundelein, IL ยท On-site

$15.25 - $18.75/hr

Direct Support Professional (DSP) JOB STATUS: Non-exempt (hourly) BASIC FUNCTION: Works in a direct care capacity with adults diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities to teach daily ...

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Northbrook, IL ยท On-site

$15.25 - $18.50/hr

Direct Support Professional (DSP) JOB STATUS: Non-exempt (hourly) BASIC FUNCTION: Works in a direct care capacity with adults diagnosed with developmental and intellectual disabilities to teach daily ...

Direct Support Professional

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$21.92/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

SUMMARY Provide direct support to clients in either residential setting or day programming to ... Maintains professional communication with co-workers and manager(s) as well as clients' parents ...

Showing results 21-40

Direct Support Professional information

See Mount Prospect, IL salary details

$9

$16

$20

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Mount Prospect, IL is $16.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.33 and $17.45 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 popular job titles related to Direct Support Professional jobs in Mount Prospect, IL? For Direct Support Professional jobs in Mount Prospect, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Mount Prospect, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Mount Prospect, IL are:
What cities near Mount Prospect, IL are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Mount Prospect, IL with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Mount Prospect, IL 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 $33,651 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Aides - Direct Support Professional

Active Day Senior Care, Inc.

Naperville, IL โ€ข On-site

$15 - $18.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

**DAILY PAY AVAILABLE**
Active Day has an available opportunity for a DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL / DSP to join our team.
APPLY TODAY!
This is an incredibly satisfying job. This is a job that requires passion and dedication with a big splash of creativity. This is where you go home EVERY night knowing YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of our members. As a DSP / Direct Support Professional with Active Day, you will lead by example, bring a positive attitude, provide thoughtful and caring support to adults with intellectual disabilities and developmental needs and focus on providing vocational, recreational, leisure and social skills, support and instruction with a focus on community integration at our Day Program.
Job Summary
The Direct Support Professional provides vocational, recreational, leisure and social skills support and instruction, with a focus on community integration, to adults with developmental disabilities at our day program centers. Direct Support Professionals assist members with activities of daily living, transportation,meals, and help to maintain a clean, orderly and uplifting environment. Our team members are expected to lead by example - maintaining a positive attitude; being a thoughtful, supportive, productive and dependable co-worker; keeping our members safe; and always working to enhance thehealth and happiness of the people we serve and those who care for them.
Qualifications
  • High school degree or equivalent required.
  • Valid driver's license
  • At least 21 years of age
  • Current CPR and First Aid Certification required.
  • Strong communication and engaging interpersonal skills; able to teach and mentor others.
  • Able to multi-task and manage time effectively.
  • Able to work full-time Mon-Fri 7:30-4:00 pm
  • Able to bend, pull, push, squat, turn, transfer and lift 50 pounds; able to stand for an extended period while providing physical assistance to members.
  • Able to navigate technology and to enter data/documentation.
  • Employment is contingent upon the successful results of background check, and where applicable, additional state-specific regulatory requirements.

Job Responsibilities
  • Supervise member productivity and ensure the quality and delivery of work product in accordance with customer requirements. Production may include the operation of machinery and equipment.
  • Actively assist and encourage members in recreation, leisure activities, and community inclusion.
  • Assist members with activities of daily living and personal care as needed (e.g. arrival and departure, eating, ambulation, transferring, rest room assistance, etc.) and provide emotional support and encouragement.
  • Participate in the planning, facilitation and documentation of individual behavior support plans.
  • May be required to intervene in crisis situations and unexpected behaviors in accordance with approved strategies and techniques.
  • Maintain program areas, supplies, and equipment ensuring all are safe, clean, replenished, and in good working order. Some locations may require the care and cleaning of animals and related environments.
  • Communicate in a positive, courteous and professional manner with members and their families, co-workers, referral agencies, and the community at large.
  • Participate in staff meetings and in-service educational programs as requested. Actively collaborate with cross-functional team, providing feedback and recommendations for enhancing the member experience and achieving the center's overall goals and objectives.
  • Comply with company policies and procedures, safety and regulatory laws and standards.
  • Other duties and responsibilities as changed or assigned at any time.