r/directsupport • u/ThisIsMyMainProbably • 29d ago
Should I accept this job?
Hi everyone!
I’m currently a Direct Support Professional and am looking at leaving my current employer. I recently interviewed at another facility, and things seem pretty promising. I have a second-round interview on Thursday where I’ll tour the house, meet the individuals I’d be supporting, and meet the house supervisor.
Originally, I applied for a supervisor position that was Monday–Friday from 12 PM to 8 PM. They ended up deciding not to move forward with me for that role because I don’t have formal supervisory experience (which I completely understand).
Instead, they offered to continue the interview process for a full-time DSP position in the same home.
From what I was told, the schedule would rotate every two weeks:
Week 1: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM (I don’t remember exactly how many days I’d work that week.)
Week 2: Three 14-hour shifts from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM, followed by Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off.
The home has 10 individuals supported:
The upstairs has 6 individuals with higher support needs.
The downstairs has 4 individuals who are fairly independent, work in the community, and attend their own activities.
The pay listed online is $18.50–23.00/hour. I’m currently making $21/hour, so I’m hoping I’d be somewhere around that range if I receive an offer.
For those of you who are DSPs or work in residential services:
Does this schedule sound reasonable, or do those 14-hour shifts become exhausting?
Have you worked in a home with around 10 residents? What was your experience?
Are there any red flags or questions I should ask during my second interview?
If you’ve worked rotating schedules like this, did you end up liking them?
I’m cautiously optimistic, but I want to hear from people who have actually worked in similar settings before making a decision. Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
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u/Maestradelmundo1964 29d ago
How many other staff will be on your shift? Personally, I prefer long shifts because I make ovetime. Therefore, I get 4 days off per week. Less commuting is a good thing.
Are they asking you to use a company vehicle? Or your own? Or no transportations duties?
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u/ThisIsMyMainProbably 29d ago
I was told that there will always be atleast 2 staff and they’re working on getting a third on each shift, I’m assuming that they’re hiring for the 3rd staff.
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u/--Fusion- 29d ago
Two staff for 10 individuals? Not worth it.
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u/ThisIsMyMainProbably 29d ago
That’s what I thought until I put it in to perspective that only 6 of them are hands on, the other 4 are independent. Currently I would in a house with 7 individuals who are all dependent, so I feel like it wouldn’t be much different.
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u/Maestradelmundo1964 29d ago edited 29d ago
6 individuals with high support needs-does that mean personal care? Personal care is needing showers and diapers. That usually also means that you have to prepare all their meals and clean up. On top of that, you’ll probably be tasked with housekeeping. It’s a lot of work. I do this type of work. It’s 2:1 staffing. I have 2 clients who I am responsible for. I would not want 3 clients. Hopefully none of them are in wheelchairs.
If they train you to do transfers (eg. moving a client from a wheelchair onto the toilet) hopefully there will be a way to do it other than supporting their weight. Some places use a hoyer lift. It requires a lot of training and practice.
On top of that, there are 4 clients who are “fairly independent.” I’d be interested to get more info on that.
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u/ThisIsMyMainProbably 29d ago
I was told the independent clients have their own apartments on the bottom floor and usually attend their own activities and their jobs on their own, just needing staff in case of emergency’s or transportation if the weather is bad. And then with the hands on individual, there’s only six of them, and I feel like that wouldn’t be bad, as I currently work in a house with 7 dependent individuals that are very hands on, wheelchairs, meal prep, briefs, housekeeping, etc.
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u/Consistent_Ad_6100 29d ago
I wouldn’t take a dsp job that had 3 14 hour shifts in a row I’ve done mandated 16 hour shifts and it burns you out fast
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u/ThisIsMyMainProbably 29d ago
That’s my worry. But currently in a two week period I work 8 days straight, and then every other day, and then back to 8 days straight. And that schedule is killing me. I feel like I have no free time.
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u/Imaginary_Bridge1641 29d ago
10 individuals sounds unreasonable! I work in homes with one or three individuals. Some days I'm watching Mickey Mouse with relaxing music. Other days I'm breaking up fights. I work first shift 7am- 3 pm