Question Overview: Direct support professionals work in close quarters with their co-workers, so it is essential that they are able to resolve conflicts in a professional manner. The ideal candidate will have experience resolving conflicts in a professional manner. Does the applicant have experience working with people who have different personalities?
Sample Answer: I would talk to my co-worker and explain how I felt. I would also listen to their side of the story.
Question Overview: Direct care professionals are responsible for reporting any inappropriate behavior to their supervisor. The ideal candidate will be able to explain how they would handle a situation in which an employee is mistreating a client.
Sample Answer: I would report the incident to my supervisor and ask that they handle the situation.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to tell you about a time when they were faced with a difficult situation and how they handled it. Listen to the applicant's tone of voice and how they explain the situation. Do they seem confident in their ability to handle difficult situations?
Sample Answer: I was caring for a client who was experiencing a seizure. I called 911 and stayed with him until the paramedics arrived.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a firm understanding of the mission statement of YAI. The mission statement is to provide quality services and support to individuals with disabilities and their families. The applicant should be able to explain how they can contribute to the mission statement.
Sample Answer: I can contribute to the mission by being a direct support professional who is caring and compassionate.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of the importance of dental hygiene. As a direct support professional, you may be required to help someone brush their teeth, floss, and rinse their mouth. The applicant's answer will help you determine if they are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that their patients are healthy.
Sample Answer: I am willing to brush someone's teeth as long as they are not in pain or discomfort.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will be able to explain a recent problem they faced as a direct support professional and how they handled it. Focus on how the applicant resolved the issue and if they were able to find a solution.
Sample Answer: I was asked to help my client with her bills. I helped her create a budget and set up automatic payments.
Question Overview: Direct support professionals are often required to help individuals with disabilities during a physical attack. The ideal candidate will have experience deescalating a situation and will be able to explain how they would handle a physical attack.
Sample Answer: I would try to calm the individual down and ask them what was wrong. I would then ask the individual if they wanted me to call their parents or another staff member.
Question Overview: Working under pressure is a common occurrence for direct support professionals. The ideal candidate will be able to explain a time when they had to work under pressure and how they handled the situation. Did the applicant have a positive outcome?
Sample Answer: I had to help my client with his homework on a Friday night. I was able to finish it in time for him to turn it in on Monday.
Question Overview: Direct support professionals are often the first to notice when a caregiver is treating their patient inappropriately. The ideal candidate will be able to explain a situation where they witnessed someone being spoken to inappropriately. How did the applicant handle the situation?
Sample Answer: I was working with a client who had a physical disability. The client's mother was yelling at him for not eating his dinner. I told her that she needed to speak to him in a calm voice.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of the population they serve. They will be able to explain the different types of disabilities that they have experience with. The applicant should also be able to explain how they interact with individuals with disabilities.
Sample Answer: I have experience working with individuals who have physical and intellectual disabilities. I am able to assist them with their daily routines and help them learn new skills.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will have a genuine interest in joining the direct support professional team. The applicant should be able to explain why they want to join the team and what they hope to accomplish.
Sample Answer: I want to join your team because I have a passion for helping others. I want to help those with disabilities live a better life.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a work history that shows a progression in their career. A direct support professional should have a minimum of two years of experience in the field. The applicant should be able to explain how they progressed from one position to the next.
Sample Answer: I started as a direct support professional in 2012 and was promoted to supervisor in 2015.
Question Overview: Direct support professionals are responsible for planning and managing their clients' budgets. The ideal applicant will have experience creating a budget and managing their own finances. Does the applicant have experience with creating a budget? Does the applicant have experience with managing someone else's budget?
Sample Answer: I have experience creating a budget for my family. I make sure that we have enough money to pay our bills and save for emergencies.
Question Overview: Direct care professionals are often required to deal with angry clients. The ideal applicant will have experience calming down an individual who is upset. Listen to the tone of voice that the applicant uses when answering the question. Does the applicant seem confident in their ability to deescalate a situation?
Sample Answer: I learned that it is best to remain calm when a client is upset. I learned that it is best to remain calm when a client is upset.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to explain their strengths in a way that highlights their abilities. The applicant should be able to explain how their strengths help them in their daily life and how they help them professionally.
Sample Answer: I am a very patient person, which helps me with my job as a direct support professional. I can be calm when dealing with difficult situations.
Question Overview: Direct support professionals must work as a team to ensure that their patients are receiving the best care possible. The ideal candidate will be able to work with co-workers and understand the importance of working together. Does the applicant have any experience working with co-workers?
Sample Answer: I worked with a co-worker who was not doing their job properly. I spoke to them about the importance of doing their job and how it affected our patient.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a positive outlook on life. The applicant's friends should be able to describe them in one word because they are confident and optimistic.
Sample Answer: My friends would describe me as a hard worker.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience helping someone with disabilities. The applicant should be able to explain the situation and how they helped the individual.
Sample Answer: I helped my last client with his daily routine. I helped him get dressed, brush his teeth, and comb his hair.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience with handling sensitive situations. The direct support professional must be able to handle the situation professionally and tactfully. The applicant's answer should show that they are aware of the importance of maintaining professionalism and tactfulness when handling sensitive situations.
Sample Answer: I would ask the client if she was dressed appropriately for school and then I would offer to help her get dressed.
Question Overview: Direct support professionals are often criticized for their actions. The ideal candidate will be able to explain how they handle criticism professionally. Do they take the criticism personally or do they take it as a learning experience?
Sample Answer: I take criticism as a learning experience. I know that I can always improve my skills.