Direct Support Professional(DSP)

NEPA Inclusive; United States; On-site; USD 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

NEPA Inclusive seeks a Direct Support Professional to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as outlined in their ISP and plans. You will help with daily living, community participation, and employment-related activities, while ensuring safety and well-being.

You will transport participants, document progress, and collaborate with families and professionals. A valid driver's license and clean driving record are required, with flexible scheduling including evenings

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience with people with intellectual disabilities, autism, or mental health disabilities preferred.
• Excellent communication, documentation and organizational skills required.
• Ability to obtain required certifications (APSE, CESP, ACRE, Discovery).

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to individuals per ISP and plans.
• Ensure health, safety, welfare, and well-being; respond to emergencies.
• Assist with community participation, living activities, employment-related tasks.
• Safely transport using a personal vehicle; maintain license and insurance.
• Accompany individuals in community settings and provide active support.
• Complete documentation, progress notes, incident reports accurately and timely.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and agency events; maintain regular attendance.
• Work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and varying shifts.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Coaching/teaching/mentoring

Experience with ID/mental health

Documentation/organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Direct Support Professional will work with individuals in a variety of settings assisting them based upon their ISP and Progress Note and their individual plan with PA Inclusive. Cooperation and coordination with other agency services is expected of this position.

Job Duties

• Provide direct support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accordance with each individual's Person-Centered Support Plan, Individual Support Plan (ISP), and established goals.
• Supervise and ensure the health, safety, welfare, and well-being of individuals supported, including responding appropriately to emergencies and crisis situations.
• Assist individuals with community participation, skill development, independent living activities, employment-related activities, and other services identified in their support plans.
• Safely transport individuals to and from community activities, appointments, employment sites, and other approved destinations using a personal vehicle. Maintain a valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and automobile insurance as required by agency policy.
• Accompany individuals in community settings and provide active support during activities, appointments, and events.
• Complete all required documentation, progress notes, incident reports, mileage logs, and other records accurately, timely, and in compliance with ODP, OVR, Medicaid waiver, and agency requirements.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, licensing, funding source, and agency regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate effectively with individuals served, families, supports coordinators, supervisors, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
• Attend and participate in required meetings, trainings, and agency events as assigned.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance and report to assigned worksites and community locations as scheduled.
• Work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and varying shifts as required by program needs.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely move throughout community settings and accompany individuals during activities and appointments.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and perform other physical activities necessary to support individuals.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to [25/50] pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to assist individuals with mobility needs, transfers, and other physical support requirements as identified in service plans.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle for extended periods of time.

Other Duties:

• Serve as a member of the agency team and represent the organization professionally.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience working with people with intellectual disabilities, autism, or mental health disabilities preferred.
• Transferrable skills in coaching, teaching, mentoring, or similar experiences preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to obtain state and agency required employment certifications including, but no limited to APSE, CESP, ACRE, and/or Discovery.
• Position requires effective communication and presentation skills, computer knowledge, strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record.
• Must pass Child Abuse History and Criminal Record Check Clearances and not be excluded from State of PA Exclusion Lists.