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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Stratham, NH

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Direct Support Professional information

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$10

$17

$21

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Stratham, NH is $17.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $18.46 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 cities near Stratham, NH are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Stratham, NH with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Stratham, NH as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,628 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Behavioral Direct Support Professional

Community Bridges

Pittsfield, NH • On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Community Bridges, Inc. rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

COMMUNITY BRIDGES IS GROWING AND WE WANT YOU TO JOIN OUR TEAM!$1000 Sign-On Bonus Community Bridges is looking for a Direct Support Professional in Loudon, NH! We are a non-profit agency founded in 1982 with a mission to advance the integration, growth, and interdependence of people with developmental disabilities within their own communities. Building on the strengths of over 1,100 individuals in the greater Capital Area and their families, we work to identify barriers of access to find creative solutions to develop meaningful community engagement. The DSP - Behavioral responsibility is to be a community connector and will be responsible to do community mapping with the individual to promote social inclusion. The DSP - Behavioral will explore new opportunities for individuals to whom they provide supports and will assist with growth and unity within the community. Promoting abilities not disabilities and to develop a bond between individual and community, family, friends and significant other in their lives. More importantly, to identify those assets that most likely lead to social inclusions for a specific individual whose gifts and interests have been identified.Schedule - staff will be working 3 days per week with each shift being 12 hours in duration; staff will be considered full-timeQualifications:Education: High School Diploma or GED required.Experience: Experience in the human service or related field with persons experiencing disabilities desirable. Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and proof of automobile insurance. Compensation & Benefits:There is a $1000 sign-on bonus for this position - $500 will be paid at the time of hire and $500 will be paid after 6 months in the role. *Please note, sign-on bonuses are for new hires only. Re-hires and transfers are not eligible at this time.Paid Time Off: For a full-time employee working 40 hours a week, 22 days of Paid Time Off is received per year! PTO days will increase over the years based on longevity and there is no waiting period to start using your PTO!Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403b with 1% company match, Excellent Paid Time Off, Life Insurance, Employer-paid Short Term Disability, and Employer paid Life Insurance.Mileage Reimbursement: Employees are reimbursed for approved mileage driven on the clock.Paid Training: As an employee, you are paid your usual rate of pay while attending training! Specific Duties and Responsibilities:Assist individuals with planned activities and community involvement.Have a strong personal boundary and not share information of family, children, etc.Develop a relationship map to gather information about the individual in order to establish social inclusion opportunities.Assist individuals in developing a network of people in their lives. Maximize opportunities for the individuals they support with disabilities to get to know others and maximize the opportunities for others to get to know the individual.Assist the individual in obtaining a sense of self-esteem through active participation in the community. Provide individualized type and level of support to include, but not be limited to, personal care and/or skill acquisition etc.Assist individuals in establishing, maintaining, and presenting a positive image. This may involve such activities as assisting in the bathroom, bathing, showering, and dental hygiene, etc.Maintain a calm demeanor and respond quickly and appropriately to aggressive or verbal outbursts. Scan room and individual for potential danger.Assist in developing and individualizing the yearly Person Centered Planning by providing information for assessments and by developing implementation strategies for goals/objectives and methods for monitoring the delivery and quality of supports to the individual.Complete documentation requirements as specified by the Individual Service Plan to include the scheduled data collection and monthly progress notes to show an increase or decrease in behaviors to continually support individuals as they grow and reach goals.Assist in the orientation/training of new staff, which may include introduction to an individual's support persons and to an individual's ISP, strategies, dreams and goals, and treatment plan. Distribute medication in accordance with He-m1201 as applicable.Report any safety, health or human rights concern immediately to the Supervisor. Understand and ensure compliance with applicable state regulations. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned Locations Community Bridges Supports: Allenstown, Andover, Boscawen, Bow, Bradford, Canterbury, Chichester, Concord, Danbury, Deering, Dunbarton, Epsom, Franklin, Henniker, Hill, Hillsborough, Hopkinton, Loudon, Newbury, New London, Northfield, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Salisbury, Sutton, Warner, Weare, Webster, Wilmot, Windsor.Main Headquarters location: Concord, NH

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