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Direct Support Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Minimum of 2 to 3 years experience as a Direct Support Professional or Milieu Therapist. * Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. Schedule * Schedule: Full Time: Tuesday to Saturday or ...

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Direct Support Specialist information

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$10

$23

$40

How much do direct support specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support specialist in the United States is $23.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a direct support specialist?

A Direct Support Specialist needs a basic understanding of personal care, behavioral support, and often a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional training in disability services. Familiarity with documentation systems, assistive technology, and sometimes certifications like CPR/First Aid are commonly required. Patience, strong interpersonal skills, and cultural sensitivity help build trust and effectively support individuals with developmental or physical disabilities. These skills ensure clients receive high-quality, person-centered care that promotes their independence and well-being.

What is a direct support specialist?

Direct Support Specialists are professionals who provide support and care to individuals with disabilities or special needs, helping them lead more independent and fulfilling lives. They assist with daily living activities, personal care, skill development, and community involvement. In addition to offering emotional support, they often help clients with tasks such as transportation, medication management, and communication. Their work is essential in promoting dignity, inclusion, and quality of life for those they support.

What are common challenges faced by direct support specialists, and how can they be managed?

Direct Support Specialists often encounter challenges such as managing clients' behavioral issues, adapting to varying communication styles, and balancing multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. Effective management of these challenges involves ongoing training in de-escalation techniques, clear and empathetic communication, and strong organizational skills. Collaborating closely with team members and supervisors also helps ensure that support strategies remain consistent and effective, leading to better outcomes for clients and a more supportive work environment.

What is the difference between Direct Support Specialist vs Personal Care Assistant?

AspectDirect Support SpecialistPersonal Care Assistant
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, sometimes specialized certificationsCPR, First Aid often required
Work EnvironmentAssisting individuals with disabilities in community or residential settingsProviding personal care in clients' homes or facilities
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, social services, non-profitsHome healthcare, assisted living, private homes
Job ResponsibilitiesSupporting daily activities, advocating for clients, coordinating servicesAssisting with bathing, dressing, medication reminders

Both roles involve providing care and support to individuals with disabilities or health needs. While a Direct Support Specialist often works in broader settings with a focus on advocacy and coordination, a Personal Care Assistant primarily provides hands-on personal care in home or facility environments. The certifications and work environments overlap significantly, making them closely related roles in the healthcare and social services industry.

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What job categories do people searching Direct Support Specialist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Direct Support Specialist jobs are:

Infographic showing various Direct Support Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,371 per year, or $23.3 per hour.

DSP / Direct Support Professional

BrightSpring Health Services

Brewer, ME • On-site

$15.25 - $18.50/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


BrightSpring Health Services rating

5.1

Company rating: 5.1 out of 10

Based on 63 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

209th of 240 rated social care providers


Job description

Rehab Without Walls Neuro Rehabilitation


Direct Support Professional (DSP)

$2,500 Sign-On Bonus for Friday–Monday Weekend Coverage!

Join a team focused on helping individuals achieve greater independence, meaningful goals, and a more positive quality of life through individualized care and support.

What you’ll do:

  • Support patients with daily living, personal care, safety, and independence
  • Assist with individualized treatment goals in partnership with our clinical and residential teams
  • Support community outings, appointments, and reintegration activities
  • Observe and communicate changes in patient needs or progress
  • Help maintain a safe, supportive, and comfortable home environment

If you’re compassionate, dependable, and motivated to make a meaningful difference, we encourage you to apply today!


  • Assists the patient in achieving the individualized treatment plan goals established by the clinical and/or residential team and provides feedback as needed.
  • Ensures safety, living comfort, and hygiene needs of patient are met, while fostering independent functioning.  
  • May provide/arrange for transportation, and escort patient to medical/other appointments, and outings. Keeps staff and family members informed of all scheduled appointments.
  • Adheres to/enforce Bill of Rights of patient and reports any violation to management.
  • Implements community reintegration activities under the direction of the clinical and/or residential treatment team to assist the patient with a variety of needs in the home and community.  Assists the patient in understanding their needs and limitations.
  • Observes, documents, and reports changes in the condition of the patient to management and other treatment team members as appropriate.
  • Attends case conference and family educational meetings as recommended by the team.
  • Maintains the highest standards of professional conduct in relation to information that is confidential in nature.  Shares information only when recipient's right to access is clearly established and sharing of such information is in the best interest of the patient.
  • Adheres to and participates in Company’s mandatory Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Actprivacy program/practices and Business Ethics and Compliance programs/practices.
  • Maintains and submits documentation in the format and timelines required by the Company, facility, local, state and federal regulations.
  • Maintains a professional appearance, is reliable and punctual, cooperative and conducts self according to accepted standards of professional practice in the course of assigned duties.
  • Attends, participates in, and/or conducts internal staff development programs, obtains continuing education as required by company policy and regulations.  
  • Assists team in fostering a safe home environment for the patient.  
  • Reports any safety concerns, or issues to management immediately.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Meet one of the following training requirements:

  1. Direct Support Professional 
    To qualify as a Direct Support Professional, an individual must successfully complete the Direct Support Professional curriculum as adopted by Maine Department of Health and Human Services, or demonstrated proficiency through DHHS’s approved Assessment of Prior Learning, or successfully complete the curriculum from the Maine College of Direct Support within six months of date of hire. The Maine College of Direct Support is accessed on the internet at: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/disability/ds/cds/index.shtml;
    Or
    2. Personal Support Specialist 
    To qualify as a Personal Support Specialist an individual must meet one of the training and examination requirements below. An individual without the required training may be hired and reimbursed for delivering personal care services as long as the individual enrolls in a certified training program within sixty (60) days of hire and completes training and examination requirements within nine months of employment and meets all other requirements. If the individual fails to pass the examination within nine months, reimbursement for his or her services must stop until such time as the training and examination requirements are met. A Personal Support Specialist must hold a valid certificate of training as a personal support specialist/personal care assistant issued as a result of completing the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Department-approved personal support specialist training curriculum and passing the competency-base examination of didactic and demonstrated skills. The training course must include at least 50 hours of formal classroom instruction, demonstration, return demonstration, and examination. Tasks covered under this Section must be covered in the training; 

AND

  • Be a Certified Brain Injury Specialist or have completed equivalent training, as set forth in Section 18.10-14, within the first 12 months of employment; and
  • Be at least 18 years of age; and
  • Have graduated from high school or acquired a General Education Diploma; and
  • Have completed Reportable Events Training; and
  • Have completed a Department approved Behavior Regulations Training; and
  • Have an adult protective and child protective record check; and 
  • Have a background check consistent with 18.10-9; and
  • Maintain current status as State of Maine Certified Residential Medication Aide 

AND

  • Demonstrates effective and professional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Able to work independently and part of a team
  • Demonstrates strong organization skills and attention to detail
  • Has reliable transportation and is able to travel between residences and office, as needed, during the shift

Rehab Without Walls, an affiliate of BrightSpring Health Services, is a revolutionary neurorehabilitation program that moves individuals outside the walls of institutional settings and into their natural home and community environment through a continuum of care. It is designed to significantly help people who have primarily experienced a brain injury, spinal cord injury, or stroke/CVA through accident or illness regain functional capabilities. By providing care in the home, community, workplace, or school, Rehab Without Walls promotes greater health through the recovery process, all with industry-leading outcomes that dramatically improve functional skills and independence for patients. For more information, please visit www.rehabwithoutwalls.com. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
USD $24.00 - $25.00 / Hour

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