Direct Support Pro - Behavioral Care & Crisis

BrightPath Human Services; Penn (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

BrightPath Human Services in Westmoreland County, PA is seeking a Direct Support Professional to provide day-to-day direct care and specialized behavioral support to individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and complex behavioral needs.

You will implement Behavioral Support Plans, crisis plans, and other clinical recommendations with fidelity, while collaborating with residential leadership, clinical staff, and the broader team to address concerns and promote safe, meaningful

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of direct support experience with individuals who have intellectual disabilities, autism, complex behavioral needs, aggression, self-injurious behavior, or significant mental health needs.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Behavioral Support Plans and collecting behavioral data.
• Demonstrated competency in crisis prevention, verbal de-escalation, and approved physical restraint or physical intervention techniques.
• Ability to maintain composure and make appropriate decisions during behavioral emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day direct care and supervision based on each individual’s assessed needs.
• Assist individuals with personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, toileting, meal preparation, housekeeping, medication administration, transportation, and other activities of daily living.
• Promote dignity, respect, choice, independence, privacy, and meaningful community inclusion.
• Provide the level of supervision required by the individual’s plans, assessments, and identified risks.
• Maintain professional boundaries while developing supportive and therapeutic relationships.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in an individual’s mood, behavior, physical health, mental health, or functioning.
• Accurate Medication Administration as taught through the PA DHS Medication Administration course.
• Review, understand, and implement each individual’s Behavioral Support Plan exactly as written.
• Follow all proactive strategies, reinforcement procedures, coping strategies, replacement-skill programs, crisis procedures, and safety protocols identified in the plan.
• Maintain consistency when implementing behavioral interventions across shifts, environments, and community settings.
• Do not use unauthorized, unapproved, or inconsistent behavioral interventions.
• Collect accurate behavioral data and complete all required documentation within established timeframes.
• Identify potential patterns, triggers, environmental concerns, or changes in presentation and communicate observations to the appropriate clinical and operational team members.
• Support individuals in practicing coping skills, emotional regulation techniques, communication strategies, and replacement behaviors.
• Immediately report concerns about the effectiveness, safety, or implementation of a Behavioral Support Plan.

Skills

Behavioral support

Crisis prevention

De-escalation

Data collection

Medication administration

Education

High school diploma

Job description

BrightPath Human Services in Westmoreland County, PA is seeking a Direct Support Professional to provide day-to-day direct care and specialized behavioral support to individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and complex behavioral needs.

You will implement Behavioral Support Plans, crisis plans, and other clinical recommendations with fidelity, while collaborating with residential leadership, clinical staff, and the broader team to address concerns and promote safe, meaningful