Direct Support Professional - Adult Services

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health; Connecticut; On-site; USD 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Student loan debt assistance

Tuition reimbursement

403(b) retirement plan with matching

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health seeks compassionate Direct Care professionals to support adults with developmental disabilities in community-based residential settings. You will help clients learn skills for independent living and meaningful life choices, while ensuring safe, supportive care in a home-like environment.

The role emphasizes empathetic engagement, teamwork, and strong communication, with opportunities to contribute to individualized care plans and positive reinforcement

Qualifications

• Associates degree preferred or high-school diploma or equivalent required.
• Driver's license required.
• Experience with individuals with psychological, emotional and behavioral disorders, ASD/IDD preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and support clients' physical, emotional, and personal needs.
• Provide client documentation including shift reports, incident reports, and progress notes.
• Administer medications and assist with medical care.
• Assist clients in daily living activities including health, personal management, recreation and daily household tasks.

Skills

Empathetic

Team player

Communication skills

Behavior management

Education

Education: Associate degree or HS diploma

Job description

Description

If working within a community setting with intellectually and developmentally disabled adults (over the age of 22) where you can make a difference sounds like a rewarding career then consider a career with Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health!

Through our residential services in the community, we help individuals learn the skills needed for independent living and making meaningful life choices. Supportive settings in comfortable home environments ensure that individuals have access to services that are appropriate to their developmental level and cognitive, emotional and social abilities.

You will add value by:

• Maintaining a safe and therapeutic treatment environment that meets the physical, emotional, and personal needs of program clients while improving functioning and minimizing interfering behaviors.
• Providing client documentation to include shift reports, incident reports, and individual progress notes.
• Facilitating proper medical care including medication administration for clients.
• Assisting clients in daily living activities including health & personal management, achieving personal goals, recreation, and daily household living.

Keywords: Adult Counselor, Direct Care Worker, Direct Care Counselor, Direct Service Worker, Group Care Worker, Direct Care Professional, Residential Counselor, Mental Health Associate, Mental Health Technician, ASD, IDD

Qualifications

• Associates degree preferred or high‑school diploma or equivalent required. Academic studies in the areas of psychology, sociology, social work, and education are highly desirable.
• Previous experience preferred (not required) working with individuals with psychological, emotional and behavioral disorders, complex post‑traumatic stress disorder, co‑occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, and/or autism spectrum disorders.
• Driver's license required.

The IDEAL candidate will be empathetic, a team player, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, energetic, creative, understand the theories of behavior management and positive reinforcement, and represent yourself as a positive role model. Additionally, you must be able to complete the required new hire orientation class, have a strong passion for working with and helping individuals with special needs, and possess a valid driver's license.

Physical Requirements

Significant amounts of walking, sitting, and standing. Some lifting and/or managing resistance required related to applying physical intervention techniques upward of 100 lbs. Some repetitive wrist/hand movements, normal hearing and vision. Occasional use of computers and office equipment. Occasional driving of Devereux vehicles for business purposes. Ability to meet 100% mastery of Safety Care.

Work Environment

Regularly works inside areas that are adequately lighted and ventilated. Some fluctuations in temperature. Use of protective equipment such as latex gloves, facial mask, protective eyewear, and gown. Possible exposure to blood‑borne pathogens. Some degree of physical involvement in exercise of Safety Care.

Company Overview

Devereux is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations, providing services, insight and leadership in the evolving field of behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1912, Devereux operates a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational and employment programs that positively impact the lives of 10,000+ children, adults – and their families – every year.

Our Mission

Devereux changes lives – by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral or cognitive differences.

Our Culture, Our Expectations

At Devereux, Servant Leadership is embedded throughout our culture and every aspect of our organizational framework. Our mission‑driven, people‑first mindset is at the heart of the compassionate and high‑quality programming we provide – every day – for the individuals and families we serve, and other key stakeholders. Devereux offers challenging and exciting work, and our team environment creates an empowering, positive and rewarding atmosphere. To be successful at Devereux, you will: put the needs of others first, feel called to serve and called to lead. As a member of our team, you will be a significant part of our commitment to providing a welcoming and supportive work environment across all programs and services, and within all policies and employee practices.

We believe a workplace rooted in inclusivity – offering a sense of belonging to all those who walk through our doors – is fundamental to delivering the highest quality healthcare services. Through open dialogue and the creation of brave spaces, we will engage in work that gives each of us a chance to change the world – one person, one family, one community at a time.

What Devereux Offers You

In addition to a competitive salary, Devereux provides a comprehensive health and welfare program to eligible full‑time employees, family members and domestic partners. Eligible employees are eligible to start benefits after 30 days of employment. In addition, we offer:

• Medical (including telemedicine via phone, web, app), dental, prescription drug, preventative care, and mental health services.
• Student loan debt assistance, tuition reimbursement and continuing education assistance.
• Generous time‑off (start accruing 1st day), 403(b) retirement plan with matching benefit, and voluntary/employee paid supplemental life and accident coverage.
• Employee assistance / work‑life balance program.

Visit www.mydevereuxbenefits.org to see why Devereux is a great place to work!

Devereux is a drug‑free workplace, drug screening required. EOE

The employment policies of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health are to recruit and hire qualified employees without discrimination because of race, religion, creed, color, age, sex, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, communication ability, gender identity or expression or sexual orientation and to treat them equally with respect to compensation and opportunities for advancement – including upgrading, promotion and transfer – consistent with individual skills and the needs of Devereux.