Job Purpose/Summary

The Direct Support Professional – Residential provides direct care to and assists individuals with mental and/or physical disabilities in the home and in the community by providing training in activities of daily living, implementing individual program plans, person-centered plans, and community life plans, administering/supervising individuals in administering prescribed medications, and completing/supervising individuals’ completion of household cleaning and maintenance.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED.          

Experience: At least some experience working with people with disabilities or a related field.          

Licenses, Certifications & Clearances:  

• Act 33/34 Clearances
• FBI Clearance
• Valid State of PA Class 1 Drivers License
• Access to properly insured motor vehicle for client transportation and fieldwork and a safe driving record
• Certification for First Aid and CPR within the first six (6) months of employment and annually thereafter
• Completion of DPW Medication Administration Course required within the first month of employment
  • Completion of Medication Administration Practicum annually
• Completion of twenty-four (24) hours work-related training each calendar year

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Exhibits ethical business behavior and maintains confidentiality of information and compliance as required by WFS policy.
• Ability to exhibit cultural sensitivity and to contribute to a work environment where diversity is welcomed and supported.
• Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems and conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• Commitment to valuing a nurturing family as the ideal environment.
• Ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• Capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists individuals with disabilities in achieving their maximum and full potential by assisting in the on-going assessment of each individual’s skills, likes/dislikes, and need for supervision at home and in the community. Assists with the development and implementation of each individual’s program plan and person-centered plan.

• Coordinates and participates in various integrated recreational, leisure, and community activities with individuals.

• Provides direct care services to individuals, including personal hygiene and other daily living needs, while respecting individual rights.

• Provides training and assistance to individuals in completing activities of daily living, including meal preparation, household cleaning and maintenance, shopping, care of clothing and other personal items, cooking, and menu planning.

• Identifies and reports house-related repairs by inspecting furniture, equipment, and structural components of the facility. Reports repair/maintenance needs to CLA Supervisor.

• Completes household and individual expenditure documentation by maintaining receipts for individual and household spending. Documents cash/checks received by individuals.

• Completes required documentation, including incident/accident reports, daily logs, attendance reports, telephone logs, and other agency documents in a timely fashion.

• Ensures proper implementation of written menu plans and availability of food choices that meet the individual needs and preferences of all individuals in the home.

• Monitors and assists with the medical needs and appointments of individuals by ensuring appropriate prescribed medications are administered within the required time frame, according to physician’s instructions and the Medication Administration policy. Expresses awareness of possible side effects of medications being administered by referring to side effect printout on medications being changed/updated. Completes Medication Administration documentation. Ensures that all medical orders are followed. Reports medical and treatment issues to the appropriate agency professionals. Attends routine and emergency medical appointments for individuals, making sure that medical personnel complete required documentation for the appointment.

• Completes and documents at least twenty-four (24) hours of staff training each calendar year by completing required crisis prevention intervention, blood borne pathogens, positive approaches, first aid/CPR, medication administration, and fire safety training annually. Attends agency-wide training in topics, such as Mission, Vision, Philosophy (MVP), fiscal management, etc. Attends external classes at local colleges and universities in topics related to the job. Completes approved reading assignments or watching approved videos related to the job and writing summaries to document that training occurred.

• Provides ongoing emotional support and intervention to individuals by utilizing effective problem-solving techniques, the principles of positive approaches, and current best practices in the field.

• Conducts and/or participates in monthly fire drills and monthly fire safety equipment checks by maintaining monthly smoke detector checks and monitoring fire drill documentation for accuracy.

• Assists with the completing of initial and annual standardized assessments for individuals as assigned by the Supervisor. Assists with the completion of strengths/needs and likes/dislikes lists for individuals.

• Assists with individual’s treatment planning by communicating and participating in the resolution of clinical treatment issues with internal professionals regarding individual services and program operations, completing monthly progress notes, and monitoring/checking data collection sheets.

• Participates and assists in individual medical/behavioral care by:
  • Utilizing independent judgment during crisis situations and/or on-call as needed
  • Coordinating emergency procedures implementation with Supervisor or on-call as delegated
  • Completing pill counts and is responsible for documenting and implementing medication changes
  • Assisting in scheduled medical appointments and doctor appointments, as needed, or assist Supervisor at appointments in the event two (2) staff is recommended

• Assists in general administrative and household responsibilities by:
  • Completing financial expenditures
  • Coordinating staff schedules in the absence of the Supervisor
  • Reporting any household issues to the Supervisor
  • Shopping for needs of the house as delegated
  • Ensuring proper attendance documentation/delivery
  • Assisting individuals with their shopping needs as delegated by Supervisor
  • Completing any additional paperwork as delegated by Supervisor

• Utilizes vehicle logs whenever having to drive. Reports damages/issues to Transportation. Completes incident report for any accidents and/or damages.

• Assumes supervisory responsibility in the absence of the Supervisor as delegated.

• Addresses all issues of fraud waste and/or abuse as they arise and proactively looks for ways to prevent instances of fraud, waste, and abuse in the service delivery system and work systems of the agency as described in the agency Compliance Plan.

MUST BE AVAILABLE TO WORK OVERNIGHTS!!!!

$5,000 Hiring Bonus!!

(30 days - $300, 3 months - $700, 6 months - $1,000, 9 months - $1,500, and 1 year - $1,500) *Full-Time Employment. Part-Time Bonus will be prorated based on hour commitment.

Whether you have experience as a caregiver or your background is in retail, hospitality, sales, food industry, maintenance, etc., if you are a caring and compassionate person, apply to work as a DSP!

No direct care/DSP experience required. We provide training.

What is it like working as a DSP at Wesley Family Services (WFS)? Watch this video: https://youtu.be/5H1IXNc1Ix8

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Experience: At least some experience working with people with disabilities or a related field.

Pay: From $15.00 per hour

Natrona Heights, PA

Benefits for Full Time Employees:

Medical, Dental, and Visions plans effective the 1st of month after 30 days
Flexible Work Schedule
15 paid days off 1st year, 20 Paid days off 2nd year, then continues to increase
Tuition Reimbursement
Discounted Tuition for several local colleges/universities
11 Paid Holidays
Pet Insurance
Employer Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability
401k Plan - Employer match available!
Employer paid life insurance
Critical Illness Diagnosis & Accident Insurance
Yearly performance reviews with merit increase eligibility
FREE Licensure Supervision!!