DSP

Merakey • Pittsburgh, PA

26d • $17 - $19

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional provides individualized care, active treatment, and support to residents under professional direction. The role assists residents with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, eating, and personal hygiene, and provides age-appropriate interactions during structured and unstructured activities tailored to individual needs. The employee supports residents’ safety, self-image, development, and participation in social, recreational, work, community, and study activities.

The position includes documenting residents’ progress and program effectiveness; devising, implementing, and documenting goal plans and behavior management plans; maintaining records; and communicating observations to the interdisciplinary team. The Direct Support Professional also helps maintain residents’ living quarters and personal belongings, coordinates maintenance and housekeeping services as needed, and transports or accompanies residents to community activities. The employee participates in meetings and training, cooperates with staff and other professionals, and may work in other areas or accompany residents on hospital trips when directed by a supervisor.

Merakey is a nonprofit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services with more than 8,000 employees serving nearly 40,000 individuals and families across 12 states. It follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and nondiscrimination.

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 maintain 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 verbal and non-verbal residents.
• Ability to implement proper resident-supervision practices and techniques.
• 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.
• Provide age-appropriate ongoing interactions during structured and unstructured activities directed toward residents’ identified needs.
• Participate in in-service training, staff meetings, and training programs provided by disciplines involved in residents’ programs.
• Participate in housekeeping functions in residents’ living quarters, including care of personal effects and spot-cleaning when necessary.
• Plan and provide guidance in social, recreational, work, community, and study activities.
• Address residents’ day-to-day problems and feelings and report observations about individual behavior.
• Work as an integral member of residents’ interdisciplinary teams and cooperate with personnel involved in 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 a safe living environment.
• Provide 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.
• 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 (after-tax) employee contribution options.
• DailyPay access to earned pay.
• On the Goga well-being platform, including 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
• Education Level: No Education Listed