Direct Support Professional: Day Program

Access Services; Lehighton (Carbon County); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Access Services in Lehighton, PA is seeking a dedicated Direct Support Professional for our Day Program. Provide personalized support to adults with developmental disabilities, helping them with daily living activities and community inclusion.

Role requires dependable morning-to-afternoon shifts, while following ISPs, care plans, and safety protocols. Training provided; prior DSP experience and valid driving credentials preferred.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Certifications in First Aid, CPR, and Community Participation Supports within six months of hire will be paid for.
• Experience: 1 year of direct care with individuals with intellectual disabilities preferred.
• Driving: valid license, reliable vehicle, and insurable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily living support, including personal care, meals, housekeeping, and medication administration as trained.
• Implement ISP and Nursing Care Plan for each participant.
• Follow behavioral support plans and clinical protocols when directed.
• Promote independence and community inclusion through activities.
• Maintain accurate documentation and timely communication with management.

Skills

Dependability

Personal care

Communication

Mobility support

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

First Aid Certification

CPR Certification

Community Participation Supports certification

Job description

We are hiring a dedicated and caring Direct Support Professional to join our Day Program team in Lehighton, PA!

As a Direct Support Professional in our Day Program, you will have the opportunity to provide personalized support to adults with developmental disabilities/Autism who attend our day programs. Our quality-focused staffsupport individuals with intellectual disabilities in being active and valued members of the community by building skills, promoting wellbeing and personal growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM (full-time shifts set at program location in Lehighton, PA)

Essential Functions

• Work shifts, as assigned by the Program Manager and Team Lead, with the highest degree of dependability.

• Implement the Individual Support Plan (ISP), and Nursing Care Plan when applicable, for every individual participant.

• Implement behavioral support plans and follow therapeutic or medical protocols as directed.

• Support individuals with daily living activities, including personal care, meal preparation, housekeeping, and medication administration (as trained).

• Promote independence in daily activities, learning, leisure, and volunteer opportunities for individuals.

• Establish a secure, positive environment that nurtures individual’s needs, self-expression, and goals (valued outcomes).

• Helpfacilitatean individual’s inclusion in the community through experiences and activities.

• When applicable, transport individuals to and from program, and to various sites in the community throughout the course of the day, as assigned by Program Manager / Team Lead.

• Ensure a safe, clean, and supportive environment for all individuals served.

• Work with other staff members as required in implementing and carrying out services and activities to meet the needs of individual clients.

• Provide individualized or small group support based on daily assignments and the needs of an individual.

• Maintainaccuratedocumentation and communicationregardingindividual progress, incidents, and observations.

• Provideaccurateandtimelycommunication to program managementregardingindividuals served.

• Communicate professionally and effectively with individuals, families, coworkers, and supervisors.

• Ensure own proper conduct and fair representation of Access Services and our values.

• Report any operational or staff concerns according to Agencyestablishedpolicies and procedures.

• Complete annual training requirementsin a timely manner.

Requirements and Qualifications

Candidates must meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria including background checks, physical examination results, and clearances.

Education:High school diploma or GED preferred.

Certification:Certifications in First Aid, CPR, and Community Participation Supports for DSP within six months of hire will be paid for and provided by Access Services.

Experience:One (1) year’s direct care experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities preferred.

Driving:

• Have access to a reliable vehicle during work hours.

• Have had a valid U.S. driver’s license forthe last two years(not including time with a permit).

• Be listed as a driver on a valid auto insurance policy.

This position requires the ability to travel during a normal workday to successfully carry out the expectations of this position.Therefore, employees will need to drive their personal vehicle and/or an agency-owned vehicle to meet these expectations. Employee is expected to always drive in a safe manner, meet eligibility criteria outlined in our Motor Vehicle Policy, be available and willing to drive during work schedule, and successfully pass the Agency’s substance abuse screening at any time during employment. There may be limited exceptions, which should beidentifiedand worked through with the supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to teach basic daily living skills.

• Ability and readiness to provide personal care as needed.

• Ability toestablishand maintain effective working relationships with individuals, their families, peers,supportscoordinators and thegeneral public.

• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting laws, rules and policies governing Access Services programs and services.

• Ability to express ideas succinctly, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to work independently and in group settings, and ability to adapt to different working environments, as assigned for the day.

• Ability tomaintaina cooperative and caring attitude with a view of seeing the needs of others as more important than one’s own needs.

• Commitment to Individual Rights and individuality of the person being served.

• Proficiencyin, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies including Outlook, the Company Intranet, time and attendance system, the electronic healthcare record, and more.

• Ability to navigate network drives and basic hardware use and troubleshooting.

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Work is primarily performed in community settings, and/or day program environments supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The environment may involve exposure to varying noise levels, temperatures, and occasional unpredictable behaviors.
• Must be able to remain attentive, responsive, and engaged throughout shifts.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and assist individuals with mobility.
• Must be able to lift, transfer, push, or pull individuals and objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.
• Requires the ability to safely push and maneuver individuals in manual or power wheelchairs, including over uneven surfaces and up or down ramps.
• Must be able to assist individuals in and out of vehicles and safely secure them in wheelchair vans, using appropriate adaptive equipment and safety restraints.
• May be required to provide hands-on physical assistance with personal care, positioning, or daily living activities.
• Requires sufficient visual and auditory acuity to monitor safety, communicate effectively, and respond promptly to needs or emergencies.
• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to accompany or transport individuals to community activities.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required depending on specific activities or health and safety guidelines.

Compensation and Benefits:

This full-time position starts at $17/hour, with adjustments made for education and experience,plusa competitive benefits package.

WhatYou’llGain at Access Services

When you join our team,you’renot just getting ajob,you’restepping into a career with real support, growth, and impact. We offer a benefits package designed to meet you where you are in life.

• Health & Security:Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage, plus company-paid life insurance, disabilityprotectionand catastrophic sick leave.Access Services covers up to 88% of healthpremiumwith many employees paying less than $150/month.

• Time to Recharge:Full-time employees start their first year earning up tonearly6weeksof paid time off (20+ PTO days plus 9 paid holidays), with even more time added as you grow your career with us.

• Invest in Your Future:401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement program, and access to college tuition discounts.

• Built into the Job:Mileage & toll reimbursement.

• SupportBeyond Work:Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential resources for you and your family, including:

  • Counseling and emotional support through in-person,telehealthand text therapy.
  • Financial and legal guidance

• Grow With Us:Paid training, ongoing professional development, and opportunities to learn and advance across diverse roles and programs.

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.