Direct Support Professional

Merakey • Crafton, PA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional provides individualized care, active treatment, and ongoing support to residents under professional direction. The role helps residents with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, eating, and personal hygiene, and provides age-appropriate interaction during structured and unstructured activities based on their identified needs. The employee supports residents’ development through social, recreational, work, community, and study activities; helps maintain a safe living environment; and promotes residents’ positive self-image and individualized growth.

The position also involves documenting residents’ progress and program effectiveness, preparing and implementing goal plans and behavior management plans, maintaining records and inventories, and reporting observations about residents’ behavior. The Direct Support Professional works as part of an interdisciplinary team, participates in meetings and training, assists with housekeeping in residents’ living quarters, and transports or accompanies residents to community activities. Other duties may include working in other areas or accompanying residents on hospital trips when directed by a supervisor.

Requirements

• Ability to conduct and implement functional assessments.
• Ability to read and write.
• Ability to prepare necessary reports and record residents’ program progress.
• Ability to plan and supervise social, recreational, work, and study activities for residents in an assigned living area.
• Ability to cope with day-to-day problems and record and report observations.
• Ability to maintain an understanding attitude toward residents.
• Ability to keep accurate and complete records.
• Ability to lift, transfer, and position residents using prescribed techniques.
• Ability to follow procedures for care and use of equipment and food preparation.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including through sign language with staff and verbal and non-verbal residents.
• Ability to implement appropriate practices and techniques for supervising residents.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and initiative and follow instructions.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Related experience is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, instruct, or assist residents with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, eating, and personal hygiene.
• Provide individualized care, active treatment, and appropriate documentation under professional direction.
• Interact with clients during structured and unstructured activities in ways that address their identified needs.
• Participate in in-service training courses and training programs provided by disciplines involved in residents’ programs.
• Participate in housekeeping in residents’ living quarters, including care of personal effects and spot-cleaning as needed.
• Plan and guide residents in social, recreational, work, community, and study activities.
• Help residents cope with day-to-day problems and feelings, and report observations about individual behavior.
• Participate in staff meetings as an integral member of the residents’ interdisciplinary team and cooperate with personnel involved in residents’ active treatment.
• Transport or accompany residents to community activities.
• Work in other areas or accompany residents on hospital trips when coverage requires, at a supervisor’s direction.
• Request maintenance and housekeeping services as needed.
• Promote residents’ positive self-image and individualized development, and maintain their safety by providing a safe living environment.
• Prepare written reports on residents’ progress and program effectiveness.
• Devise, implement, and document goal plans emphasizing skill development and aligned with assessed needs and specified services, including Behavior Management Plans and other required documentation.
• Request clothing and inventory residents’ personal belongings.
• Perform related work as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth employee contribution options.
• DailyPay access to pay.
• On the Goga well-being platform with self-care tools and resources.
• Access to Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through the Employee Assistance Program.
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Free online personal development classes through Pryor Online Learning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed