DSP

Merakey • Pittsburgh, PA

25d • $17 - $19

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional supervises, instructs, and assists residents with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, eating, and personal hygiene. The role provides individualized care, active treatment, and appropriate documentation under professional direction, with age-appropriate interactions during structured and unstructured activities focused on residents’ identified needs.

The position supports residents’ development and safety by planning and guiding social, recreational, work, community, and study activities; addressing day-to-day concerns; reporting behavioral observations; preparing progress and program-effectiveness reports; and developing, implementing, and documenting goal plans, including Behavior Management Plans. The employee participates in training and staff meetings, works with the residents’ interdisciplinary team, assists with housekeeping and residents’ belongings, 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, and requesting maintenance or housekeeping services as needed.

The position is located in Crafton, Pennsylvania. The listed pay rate is $17.00 per hour, with an enhanced pay option of $19.00 per hour. Available shifts are evenings, overnights, and weekends.

Requirements

• Ability to conduct and implement functional assessments.
• Ability to read and write.
• Ability to prepare 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 established procedures for care and use of equipment and food preparation.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including using sign language with staff and communicating with verbal and non-verbal residents.
• Ability to implement proper 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 an age-appropriate manner, addressing identified needs.
• Participate in in-service training courses and training programs provided by disciplines involved in the resident program.
• Participate in housekeeping functions in residents’ living quarters, including caring for personal effects and spot-cleaning when necessary.
• Plan and provide guidance in residents’ social, recreational, work, community, and study activities.
• Address day-to-day problems and feelings of residents and report behavioral observations.
• Participate in staff meetings as an integral member of the residents’ interdisciplinary team.
• Transport or accompany residents to community activities.
• Work cooperatively with personnel involved in residents’ active treatment.
• Work in other areas or accompany residents on hospital trips when coverage requires it and a supervisor directs it.
• Request maintenance or housekeeping services as needed.
• Promote residents’ positive self-image and individualized development.
• Maintain residents’ 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 consistent with assessed needs and specified developmental services and programs, including Behavior Management Plans and other required documentation.
• Requisition clothing and inventory residents’ personal belongings.
• Perform related work as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth employee contribution options.
• DailyPay access to earned pay.
• On the Goga well-being platform, with self-care tools and resources.
• Care.com access 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 for entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Free online personal development classes through Pryor Online Learning.

What This Job Offers

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