Personal Care Assistant PCA) / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Community Resources for Independence • Altoona, PA

7d

About The Position

CRI is hiring caring, dependable, and motivated caregivers to work as Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), depending on available clients, in Altoona and surrounding areas. DSPs support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and earn $18.00 per hour. PCAs support elderly people, individuals with physical disabilities, and veterans and earn $14.00 per hour.

The role offers flexible schedules, shifts, and locations, with schedules arranged to align with both employee and client needs. Employees receive paid initial and ongoing classroom and online training, coaching and mentoring, and 24/7 support from supervisors, schedulers, and trainers. Additional offerings include overtime pay, shift differentials, bonuses, mileage reimbursement, voluntary supplemental insurance, and retirement benefits.

PCAs assist clients with light housekeeping, meals, personal care, community activities, appointments, shopping, and errands, while helping them live independently and participate in the community. DSPs support clients in pursuing goals in their Service Plans, building skills, engaging socially, and integrating into the community. They encourage independence, dignity, and choice; may accompany clients to appointments; participate in team meetings about client progress; and help maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment. Effective communication and empathy are important to building trusting relationships.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Should have a high school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and current auto insurance.
• Must successfully pass required background checks and clearances.
• Must be available to work every other weekend and holidays, and participate in an on-call rotation.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with light housekeeping, meals, and personal care tasks.
• Accompany clients on walks and community activities.
• Join clients for appointments, shopping, or other errands as needed.
• Help clients live independently and participate in the community.
• Support IDD clients in reaching goals outlined in their Service Plans.
• Facilitate community integration, social engagement, and skill-building activities.
• Encourage independence, dignity, and choice in daily living.
• Accompany clients to appointments when necessary.
• Participate in team meetings to share information about client progress.
• Help maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment through light housekeeping as needed.
• Communicate effectively and demonstrate empathy to build trusting relationships with clients.

Benefits

• Flexible schedules with a variety of shifts and locations.
• Paid initial and ongoing classroom and online training.
• Coaching and mentoring.
• 24/7 support from supervisors, schedulers, and trainers.
• Schedules matched to employee and client needs.
• Overtime pay.
• Shift differentials.
• Bonuses, including longevity and perfect-attendance bonuses.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Voluntary supplemental insurance.
• Retirement benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED