A DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL IS A SKILLED POSITION, CRITICAL TO THE PROVINCE Providing holistic support to a person experiencing disability demands a workforce that has a combination of both technical and interpersonal skills.
Employees often work alone which poses additional risks and requires sound judgment.
Employees are responsible to ensure that people experiencing disability are healthy, safe, and leading fulfilling lives in their community.
Disability Support Professionals’ work is physically strenuous. It often involves lifting and moving people in the performance of daily activities, such as bathing and assisting with mobility.
Direct Support Professionals are the first response of physical and mental health services in both routine and crisis situations. This requires them to administer and document medications; perform specialized procedures (ex. insulin, tube feeds, catheters); navigate the health care system; advocate for and connect their clients to basic medical, specialist, and therapeutic appointments; and be the first responder in emergency situations. Employees require skills to be able to identify triggers and solutions for challenging and potentially harmful or dangerous behaviours.
Employees must be proficient in communication and documentation skills, as they are required to understand and convey complex medical information, skill development, goals progress, and behavioural analysis; they deal with an enormous burden of paperwork essential to regulatory compliance. It is an awesome responsibility to play a supporting role for people as they make very personal and sometimes complex decisions about their own lives.
Direct Support Professionals are supporting people’s lives. The Government of Saskatchewan needs to support the professionalism of this sector in order to fulfill the principles and recommendations contained within the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy.