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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Riverside, MO

Triality

Direct Support Professional

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$14.75 - $17.75/hr

As a Direct Support Professional you will work in an environment where you truly have the ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others. You will participate in planning, development and ...

Sevita

Direct Support Professional

Independence, MO · On-site

$19.65/hr

Direct Support Professional $19.65 per hour | PRN | On Demand Pay Option Available Do you have a heart for service and a schedule that needs flexibility? Join Sevita as a Part Time Caregiver and turn ...

Sevita

Direct Support Professional

Independence, MO · On-site

$19.65/hr

Direct Support Professional $19.65 per hour | PRN | On Demand Pay Option Available Do you have a heart for service and a schedule that needs flexibility? Join Sevita as a Part Time Caregiver and turn ...

Sevita

Direct Support Professional

Lees Summit, MO · On-site

$18/hr

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist ... Six months of experience in human services, direct care, or care coordination preferred * Skills:

Sevita

Direct Support Professional

Kansas City, KS · On-site

$13.75 - $16.75/hr

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist ... Six months of experience in human services, direct care, or care coordination preferred * Skills:

Sevita Health

Direct Support Professional

Kansas City, KS · On-site

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

Support participants with developmental goals like budgeting, exercise, and nutrition You'll assist ... Six months of experience in human services, direct care, or care coordination preferred * Skills:

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Direct Support Professional information

See Riverside, MO salary details

$9

$15

$19

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Riverside, MO is $15.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.94 and $16.97 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.
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What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Riverside, MO look for?

The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Riverside, MO are:

What cities near Riverside, MO are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs?

Cities near Riverside, MO with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:

Direct Support Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Riverside, MO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,745 per year, or $15.7 per hour.

Direct Support Professional

Triality

Kansas City, MO • On-site

$14.75 - $17.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Description If you are Mission and Results Driven, an Optimist, Creative Thinker, Flexible in Scheduling, and want to be part of an Innovative Team, then Triality, Inc. is the place for you. We believe people of all abilities enrich our lives.

Triality supports people with developmental disabilities to live, work, and learn as valued, contributing members of the community. Employment & Community Services believes everyone CAN work and we look to ensure the proper supports are in place for the individuals to succeed in their employment opportunities. We believe employment is not a question of ability but one of choice.

We believe the most crucial step of finding employment is making sure it is a win-win situation for the individual and the future employer. As a Direct Support Professional you will work in an environment where you truly have the ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others. You will participate in planning, development and implementation of person centered planning, including Discovery planning and daily activities.

You will be a vital member of our "Employment First" philosophy while providing progress updates and recommendations for improvement. You will assist your team members with any needs and concerns of the department and challenge everyone to support and grow the program Responsibilities: Develops and implements high quality person-centered services consistent with the personal plan that reflects informed choice and self-direction. Contributes to the planning process by being knowledgeable of process, gathering information, participating in meetings and goal development.

Documents implementation, reviews and documents progress monthly and makes recommendations for improvement. Promotes independence and community acceptance through teaching new skills. Participates in functional behavior assessments to understand the cause of behavior in order to implement interventions.

Conducts skills assessments to break down jobs and tasks into teachable components. Utilizes a variety of teaching methods and principles such as task analysis, modeling, redirection and reinforcement to teach new skills. Develops and implements activities to promote employment, community membership, and social relationships consistent with the personal plan.

Provides accurate and thorough documentation that meets agency and accreditation standards and regulatory guidelines. Desired Skills & Experience Must be 18 yrs old. High school diploma or (GED) required.

College degree, college credit in related field preferred. Valid driver's license & current auto insurance. Properly licensed & working vehicle required.

Prior experience supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities is preferred. Teaching, community support service and job coaching experience is a plus. Relevance of experience is considered.

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