Direct Support Professional

Indian Creek Foundation; Souderton (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 2,066,400 - 2,617,440; Full time

Job summary

Indian Creek Foundation in Souderton, PA, is seeking a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our residential homes around Montgomery and Bucks Counties. The DSP will help residents stay safe and healthy while supporting activities of daily living with dignity and respect.

This frontline role requires hands-on care, detailed observation, and the ability to maintain accurate notes.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Experience with adults with developmental disabilities preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Ability to read and write in English and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on care and support activities of daily living.
• Maintain residents' dignity, privacy, and well-being.
• Observe, document, and report changes in residents’ condition.
• Assist with transportation to activities and appointments.
• Follow safety, infection control, and confidentiality policies.
• Participate in training and team meetings.

Skills

Reading & writing English

Mathematics skills

Interpersonal skills

Observation & note-taking

Valid driver’s license

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Summary

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our residential homes in local neighborhoods around Montgomery and Bucks Counties. The DSP is one of our frontline caregivers who helps our residents stay safe and healthy while assisting them with activities of daily living with respect for their dignity and individuality. Your work will involve hands-on care, a sense of humor, the ability to observe and take detailed notes, physical mobility, a positive attitude, and respect for legal compliance and confidentiality standards. As a DSP, you will receive excellent training, competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a flexible schedule.

Basic Qualifications

Education/Training

High School Diploma or GED

Experience

Previous experience providing hands-on care to adults with developmental disability preferred, but not required.

Basic Skills

• Ability to read and write in English
• Moderate mathematics skills required
• Proficient interpersonal relations and communicative skills
• Auditory and visual skills
• Has valid driver\'s license with a clear three-year driving record

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform the physical duties required
• Must have adequate mobility that requires frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching (vertical and horizontal), using fingers, hands, feet, legs and torso in providing various care
• Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds
• Occasionally must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, including transferring of client
• Satisfactory completion of post-offer pre-employment physical exam and drug test as required

Equipment/Machine Operations

Skills

Must maintain skills necessary to safely and efficiently operate the following equipment and machines used in the performance of this job:

• Office equipment - including printer, scanner, fax machine, copier, etc.
• Time Clock System
• Vehicles
• Mechanical lifts
• Adjustable chairs/beds, wheelchairs
• General household appliances
• Shower equipment
• Various other equipment and supplies

Essential Duties

Provide quality care to individuals served in an environment which promotes their rights, as illustrated by the following:

• Provide individualized attention, which encourages each individual\'s ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.
• Maintain the comfort, privacy, and dignity of each individual in the delivery of services to them. Interact with individual in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment through verbal and nonverbal interactions.
• Encourage the growth and development of individuals served including goal achievement.
• Attend to the personal needs of the individuals which may include assistance with grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, feeding, incontinent care, toileting, transferring, ambulation, range of motion, communicating, or other needs in keeping with the individuals\' care requirements.
• Responsible for promptly reporting and responding to the appropriate personnel incidents or evidence of individual abuse, unusual incidents based on regulations or agency policies, or violation of residents\' rights.
• Provide assistance to individuals using lifts, transfers, and safety techniques as required as needed. Must also demonstrate ability to use mechanical lifting devices and follow proper agency lifting procedures.
• Must provide medical assistance to individuals served, such as administering medicine, first aid, CPR, and/or Heimlich maneuver as trained by the agency. Must also adhere to protocol set forth by the Nursing Department and perform these tasks as trained by Nursing.
• Responsible for the general upkeep of the group home including general housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and/or aundry.
• Assist with all work-related transportation duties, which may include transporting individuals served to and from daily activities and medical appointments, on errands related to the group home, and/or on community activities. Must also exhibit the ability to properly handle stressful situations while operating the vehicle.
• Perform all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribed safety and infection control procedures including thorough hand washing, use of disposable gloves where indicated, and proper disposal of soiled materials.
• Communicate and interact effectively and tactfully with the individual served, visitors, families, peers, and supervisors.
• Participate in regular one-to-one, staff meetings, and annual program plan meetings as needed.
• Respond appropriately to staff shortages by assisting in other homes programs as assigned.
• Complete 24 hours of required training annually.

Other Duties

• Assist the immediate supervisor with various tasks to support program and/or department operations as directed; may also be assigned special projects.
• Perform tasks which are supportive in nature to the essential functions of the job, but which may be altered or redesigned based on the needs of individuals served.
• Attend additional training required by program/department.

Standard Requirements

Completion and clearance of a criminal background check and a child abuse