DSP Level 1Foundations of Direct Support
- Your Role as a DSP — responsibilities, professional boundaries, ethics
- Rights & Dignity — residents' rights under California law
- Communication — effective communication with residents, families, and team
- Health & Safety — emergency procedures, infection control, medication basics
✅ After completing all 4 modules you will take the DSP Level 1 Final Exam. You need 80% (8/10) to pass. Exams are one attempt only — no retakes. If you do not pass, you must see your administrator.
Module 1Your Role as a Direct Support Professional
A DSP provides daily living support to individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, or other conditions in a licensed residential facility. Your role includes:
- Assisting with ADLs: bathing, dressing, grooming, eating
- Supporting independence and self-determination
- Providing emotional support and companionship
- Monitoring health and safety
- Documenting care and incidents accurately
💡 A DSP supports — they do not do things for residents that residents can do themselves.
- Do not share your personal phone number or social media with residents
- Do not accept money or gifts from residents or families
- Do not form romantic or sexual relationships with residents — this is a crime
- Keep resident information confidential (HIPAA and Title 22)
- Do not discuss one resident's business with another resident
⚠️ Violations can result in termination, loss of certification, and criminal prosecution.
- Respect — treat every resident with dignity at all times
- Integrity — be honest in all documentation and communication
- Competence — only perform tasks you are trained and authorized to do
- Advocacy — speak up for residents' needs and rights
- Non-discrimination — provide equal care regardless of race, religion, gender, or disability
A resident offers you $20 as a thank-you for helping them. What should you do?
Module 2Residents' Rights & Dignity
Under California Title 22, every resident has the right to:
- Live in a safe, clean, and comfortable home environment
- Be treated with dignity and respect at all times
- Privacy — personal space, mail, phone calls, and medical information
- Make their own choices about daily life to the fullest extent possible
- Be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and unauthorized restraint
- Manage their own finances (unless legally restricted)
- Receive visitors of their choosing
- Practice their religion or spirituality
- Voice grievances without retaliation
- Participate in their own care plan
- Always knock before entering a resident's room
- Use the resident's preferred name and pronouns
- Provide privacy during bathing, dressing, and toileting
- Never speak about a resident as if they are not present
- Avoid infantilizing language
- Dress residents in their own clothing preferences, not facility convenience
- Using physical force to control a resident
- Withholding meals, water, or medications as punishment
- Locking a resident in their room without authorization
- Ridiculing, threatening, or humiliating a resident
- Opening a resident's mail without permission
- Taking a resident's money or belongings
⚠️ If you witness a rights violation you are required to report it to your supervisor and may be required to report to the state.
A resident's family member asks you to share what medications their loved one is taking. You should:
Module 3Effective Communication
- Use simple, clear language — one instruction at a time
- Make eye contact and face the person
- Give extra time for processing and response
- Use visuals, gestures, or communication boards if needed
- Confirm understanding — ask the resident to repeat back key points
- Never yell, rush, or express frustration through tone
- Put down what you are doing and give full attention
- Do not interrupt
- Reflect back feelings: "It sounds like you're frustrated — is that right?"
- Validate feelings even if you cannot grant every request
- Follow up on what you said you'd do
- Report changes in behavior, mood, or health to the next shift
- Document significant events before leaving
- If unsure whether something is important — document it anyway
- Follow the chain of command when escalating concerns
- Never assume the next staff "already knows"
A resident tells you they're upset but you need to finish preparing dinner. You should:
Module 4Health, Safety & Emergency Procedures
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds before and after direct care
- Wear gloves when in contact with bodily fluids or soiled items
- Dispose of soiled PPE properly before leaving the resident's space
- Clean and disinfect surfaces using facility-approved products
- Do not share personal items between residents
- Stay home if you are sick — inform your supervisor immediately
Call 911 immediately for:
- Unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness
- Difficulty or stopped breathing
- Chest pain or pressure
- Stroke signs — F.A.S.T.: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911
- Severe bleeding that won't stop
- Seizures lasting more than 5 minutes
- Suspected poisoning or overdose
⚠️ Never try to restrain a person having a seizure. Move hazards away and protect their head. Time the seizure.
- Rescue — remove residents from immediate danger
- Alarm — pull the fire alarm and call 911
- Contain — close doors to slow fire spread
- Extinguish a small fire only; otherwise Evacuate
A resident falls and cannot get up, complaining of hip pain. What do you do first?
Final ExamDSP Level 1 — Final Examination
DSP Level 2Advanced Direct Support Practice
- Positive Behavior Support
- Person-Centered Care — IPP/ISP plans and self-determination
- Abuse Prevention & Mandated Reporting
- Documentation — accurate charting and incident reports
- Medication Module — 5 Rights, MAR, and administrator competency sign-off
✅ Same exam rules apply: 80% to pass, one attempt only.
Module 5Positive Behavior Support
- A — Antecedent: What happened before the behavior?
- B — Behavior: What did the person actually do?
- C — Consequence: What happened after the behavior?
Example: Resident begins yelling (B) after being told they cannot watch TV (A), and staff turns the TV off (C). Understanding this cycle helps address the trigger — not just the behavior.
- Follow consistent routines — predictability reduces anxiety
- Offer choices whenever possible
- Watch for early warning signs: pacing, clenching, raised voice, withdrawal
- Reduce environmental triggers (noise, crowding)
- Use calm, neutral tone at all times
- Acknowledge feelings before redirecting
- Speak calmly and slowly — lower your voice, don't raise it
- Give personal space
- Remove audience/bystanders if possible
- Avoid arguing about facts — focus on feelings
- Offer a calm-down option
- Know when to call for supervisor support
⚠️ Physical restraint is NEVER permitted unless specifically trained, authorized, and only in life-threatening situations.
A resident begins pacing and making loud sounds before a scheduled activity change. This is:
Module 6Person-Centered Care & IPP/ISP Plans
- Places the resident at the center of all planning and decision-making
- Focuses on what the person can do, not just their diagnosis
- Respects personal preferences, culture, values, and history
- Supports self-determination — the right to make choices about one's own life
- Actively works toward the resident's personal goals
💡 Ask: "Would this person choose this if they had a full say?" If not, consider how to adjust your approach.
Every ARF resident has an IPP or ISP. As a DSP you must:
- Read and understand the plan for every resident you support
- Know each resident's goals and your role in supporting them
- Implement strategies in the plan consistently
- Document progress toward goals on the correct forms
- Report any concerns about the plan to your supervisor
A resident's IPP says they are working on making their own breakfast independently. What is the correct approach?
Module 7Abuse Prevention & Mandated Reporting
- Physical Abuse: hitting, slapping, pushing, improper restraint
- Emotional/Psychological Abuse: threats, humiliation, isolation, verbal cruelty
- Sexual Abuse: any non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation
- Financial Exploitation: taking money or property without consent
- Neglect: failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, hygiene, or medical care
- Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries
- Fearfulness around a particular staff member
- Sudden behavior changes: withdrawal, aggression, crying
- Unsanitary conditions, weight loss, poor hygiene
- Missing money or personal belongings
- A resident discloses abuse to you directly
💡 You do NOT need proof to report. Report if you have reasonable suspicion. APS investigates — that is not your job.
- Ensure the resident is safe immediately
- Notify your supervisor immediately
- Call Adult Protective Services: 1-833-401-0832
- If a crime occurred, call 911
- Complete written report within 2 business days
- Document everything factually — quotes, observations, times
⚠️ Even if your supervisor tells you NOT to report, you still have an independent legal obligation. Failure to report can result in criminal charges.
You notice a resident has a new unexplained bruise. When you ask, they say "I don't want to talk about it." What do you do?
Module 8Documentation & Reporting
All documentation must be:
- Factual — write what you observed, not opinion
- Accurate — exact times, dates, names
- Objective — avoid judgmental language
- Complete — include all relevant details
- Timely — document as soon as possible
- Legible — if it can't be read, it's useless
⚠️ Never alter, falsify, or destroy documentation. This is fraud and can result in criminal charges.
- Daily Activity/Communication Log
- Medication Administration Record (MAR)
- Incident Report
- Goal Tracking Sheets
- Shift Handoff Notes
Which is the best documentation of a resident's behavior?
MedicationMedication Competency Module
Before every medication assistance, verify all 5 Rights:
- ✅ Right Resident — confirm it is the correct person; check name and photo/ID
- ✅ Right Medication — verify medication name matches the MAR exactly
- ✅ Right Dose — confirm dose matches what is prescribed on the MAR
- ✅ Right Time — confirm it is the scheduled time for this medication
- ✅ Right Route — confirm how it is to be taken (oral, topical, inhaled, etc.)
⚠️ If any of the 5 Rights do not match — STOP. Do not give the medication. Contact your supervisor immediately.
- Initial or sign immediately after giving medication — never pre-sign
- If a resident refuses — document the refusal with reason if stated
- If a dose is missed — document the reason
- Error correction: draw a single line through the entry, initial, date, write a note
- Never use white-out or black out a MAR entry
- Medications must be stored in a locked cabinet at all times
- Controlled substances require double-lock storage and a count log
- Store at the correct temperature (check labels)
- Never remove medications from their original labeled container
- Dispose of expired medications according to facility policy
- Do not leave medications unattended during administration
If a medication error occurs:
- Stay calm — do not panic or hide the error
- Contact your supervisor and the resident's physician immediately
- Monitor the resident for adverse reactions
- Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) if instructed
- Complete an incident report accurately and promptly
- Difficulty breathing or throat swelling (anaphylaxis)
- Sudden loss of consciousness or seizure after medication
- Severe rash, vomiting, or chest pain following medication
✅ A trained/certified DSP MAY:
- Remind a resident it is medication time
- Assist a resident in self-administering their own medication if trained and authorized
- Document on the MAR after medication is taken
- Observe and report side effects or refusals
- Administer medications without proper certification/authorization
- Change doses or schedules without physician/supervisor direction
- Give PRN medications without checking with a supervisor first
- Handle or give controlled substances without specific authorization
I can name and explain all 5 Rights of Medication AdministrationRight Resident, Medication, Dose, Time, Route
I understand how to document on a MAR correctlyIncluding refusals, missed doses, and error correction
I know the medication storage requirementsLocked storage, controlled substance protocols, temperature requirements
I know what to do if I witness or make a medication errorNotify supervisor, monitor resident, complete incident report
I understand the limits of my role before I am fully certifiedWhat I can and cannot do regarding medications
I know signs of an adverse medication reaction and when to call 911Anaphylaxis, seizure, loss of consciousness
Check each box to confirm you have reviewed the topic. Your administrator will verify your understanding in person.
Final ExamDSP Level 2 — Final Examination
AdministratorMedication Competency — Administrator Sign-Off
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Instructions for the Staff Member
You have completed all training modules and passed both final exams. The final step is an in-person medication competency review with your administrator. Hand this device to your administrator to complete the sign-off below.
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Administrator Medication Competency Sign-Off
Complete this section after verbally verifying the staff member's medication knowledge. Results will be automatically emailed to admin@capozziresidential.com upon submission.
Administrator Signature
Draw your signature with mouse or finger
✅
Sign-Off Complete!
📧 Results have been sent to admin@capozziresidential.com
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Certificate Locked
Complete all modules, pass both final exams (80% minimum), and receive your administrator medication sign-off to unlock your certificate.
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Certificate of Completion
DSP Pre-Service Training
Levels 1 & 2 · Medication Competency · Capozzi Residential
This certifies that
Your Name Here
has successfully completed all required pre-service training for
Direct Support Professional — Levels 1 & 2
including Medication Competency, in compliance with California Community Care Licensing requirements, Title 22
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DSP 1 Exam
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DSP 2 Exam
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Med Sign-Off
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Total Time
Time Spent Per Module
Date Completed
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Verified by Administrator