Direct Support Professional

Heart to Heart Ministries; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Company parties

Job summary

Heart to Heart Ministries seeks a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to provide compassionate, person-centered care to individuals with disabilities and other support needs. You will promote independence, health, safety, and community inclusion while respecting rights and preferences.

Responsibilities include assisting with daily living activities, teaching life skills, following individual support plans, monitoring health, and documenting progress.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required or as specified.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Ability to follow instructions, support plans, safety procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Successful completion of required background checks and clearances.
• Willingness to complete orientation, CPR, First Aid, and related training.

Responsibilities

• Assist with personal hygiene, grooming, mobility, meals, and daily living activities.
• Encourage independence and teach life skills (cooking, cleaning, budgeting, etc.).
• Implement individualized support plans and approved strategies.
• Monitor health and report concerns promptly.
• Provide medication assistance only when trained and authorized.
• Support participation in community activities and appointments.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized environment.
• Complete progress notes and required documentation.
• Ensure privacy and confidentiality; follow infection-control practices.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Documentation and reporting

Patience and reliability

Ability to follow plans and safety

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CPR/First Aid training

Job description

Benefits:

• Company parties
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides compassionate, person-centered care to individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities and other support needs. The DSP promotes independence, personal growth, community inclusion, health, safety, and overall well-being while respecting each individual's rights, dignity, preferences, and choices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with personal hygiene, bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, mobility, meals, and other daily living activities as needed.
• Encourage independence and teach life skills, including cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, budgeting, and personal organization.
• Implement individualized support plans, service plans, and approved behavioral support strategies.
• Monitor physical health, emotional well-being, and behavioral changes; promptly report concerns, illnesses, injuries, and safety risks.
• Provide medication assistance or administer medications only when trained, authorized, and permitted by applicable requirements.
• Support participation in recreational, educational, vocational, social, and community activities.
• Assist with transportation, appointments, errands, and community outings when required.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and supportive environment.
• Complete accurate and timely progress notes, shift reports, incident reports, and other required documentation.
• Protect confidential information and uphold individuals' privacy, dignity, rights, and personal choices.
• Follow infection-control practices, emergency procedures, workplace safety standards, and abuse prevention and reporting requirements.
• Use respectful communication, positive reinforcement, and approved de-escalation techniques.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, families, and authorized service providers.
• Attend required meetings, training sessions, and professional development activities.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position, training, and applicable policies.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, if required.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow instructions, support plans, safety procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Successful completion of required background checks and employment clearances.
• Willingness to complete required orientation, CPR, First Aid, and other applicable training.
• Patience, reliability, sound judgment, professionalism, and commitment to quality care.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in direct care, disability services, residential support, behavioral health, or human services.
• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Medication administration or specialized care training, where applicable.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record when transportation is required.

Skills and Competencies

Compassion, empathy, patience, dependability, attention to detail, effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, confidentiality, professional boundaries, accurate documentation, and a commitment to person-centered care, individual rights, safety, and independence.

Work Environment and Schedule

Work may occur in group homes, residential facilities, community programs, supported living environments, day programs, or private homes. Schedules may include full-time, part-time, evening, overnight, weekend, holiday, or rotating shifts. Duties may involve standing, walking, bending, and assisting individuals with daily activities, subject to the position's requirements and applicable accommodations.

Supervision and Reporting

The DSP reports to a supervisor, residential manager, program coordinator, or designated representative and is responsible for following instructions, reporting concerns, maintaining accurate records, and complying with organizational policies.

Equal Opportunity and Disclaimer

The employer is committed to respectful, nondiscriminatory services that protect individual dignity, privacy, rights, and well-being. Duties, qualifications, certifications, and physical requirements vary by employer, location, work setting, and applicable laws. All responsibilities must be performed within the employee's training and authorization.