Welcome
WHAT IS A
DIRECT SERVICE WORKER
A Direct Service Worker is a name for many different kinds of workers who all provide very important services such as personal care, and support with household, community and employment activities. While Direct Service Workers provide services to people of all ages, this website primarily has information on job titles that are focused on serving adults.
This includes helping older adults, adults with physical disabilities, adults with serious and persistent mental illness, and people with intellectual disabilities, autism, brain injury or other related conditions. Direct service workers:
- May work in a variety of settings, including a hospital, nursing facility, residential or assisted living facility, adult day, in a client’s home, in the community, or in a job setting.
- May be called a DSP, PSS, MHRT-1, CNA, HHA, PD-PCA, CNA-M, CRMA.
WHAT RESOURCES CAN
YOU FIND HERE?
This site is a place where you can find information about the different kinds of jobs and career options in the Direct Service field as well as how to move between and advance to other related health and human service positions.
Here, you can access information about roles, training and other requirements for Maine’s certification programs, such as Personal Support Specialist (PSS), Direct Support Professional (DSP), and Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician – Level 1 (MHRT)
WHY ARE THESE RESOURCES IMPORTANT?
All of the trainings and resources available on this site are intended to help you learn and grow and become more qualified in your work.
People with long term disabilities living in the community depend on competent, qualified, and reliable direct service workers to live safely and successfully in their communities and homes.
As a Direct Service Worker, you play a huge role in determining the quality of care and quality of life of the people you serve.