Direct Support Professional FT

RHA Health Services, LLC; Hamburg (NJ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early access to earned pay

Employee perks and discount program

401(k) retirement savings program

Free CPR and job-specific training opportunities

Job summary

RHA Health Services, LLC is hiring a Direct Support Professional in New Jersey to provide personalized support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges. The DSP will assist clients in achieving personal goals, promoting independence, and advocating for their rights.

This position requires a high school diploma and strong communication skills. Duties include facilitating community engagement, teaching independent living skills, and supporting informed decision-making regarding personal care.

Pay is $19.50–$20 per hour, along with a sign-on bonus. Benefits include health insurance, paid time off, and retirement savings.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be at least 18 years of age.
• Meet all pre-employment screening requirements.
• Ability to foster independence while providing necessary support.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and follow regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for individuals' human, legal, and civil rights.
• Teach and support independent living skills, including personal care.
• Facilitate community engagement and accompany individuals to events.
• Assist with personal care tasks, including hygiene and laundry.

Skills

Compassionate

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Advocacy for rights

Knowledge of disability rights

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

We are hiring for

Direct Support Professional FT

Type

Regular

Job Description

We are hiring for a Direct Support Professional (DSP) who provides personalized support to individuals with intellectual, developmental disabilities and people facing mental health and substance use challenges. The DSP helps clients engage meaningfully in their communities and achieve personal goals, assisting with needs identification, service implementation, and fostering independence and self‑advocacy. The role operates under supervision and follows established guidelines to ensure high‑quality care and advocacy.

Pay and Benefits

Pay: $19.50–$20 per hour

Sign on Bonus: $1,000

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advocate for individuals’ human, legal, and civil rights.
• Promote health and safety by supporting wellness initiatives and accident prevention.
• Encourage self‑advocacy and empower individuals in making their own choices.
• Facilitate community engagement by accompanying individuals to work, recreational activities, and social events.
• Teach and support independent living skills, including household management and personal care.
• Provide transportation for appointments, errands, and community activities.
• Foster social connections by supporting relationship‑building within the community.
• Support informed decision‑making regarding living arrangements, employment, and social activities.
• Assist with personal care tasks, such as hygiene, bathing, dressing, and household chores (laundry, cleaning, and decorating).
• Maintain accurate documentation of provided services and support.
• Understand and address challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, using effective advocacy strategies.
• Connect individuals with community resources for career development, education, and volunteer opportunities.
• Encourage effective communication, adapting to individual needs and preferences.
• Assist with medication administration in accordance with state laws and regulations.
• Ensure confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all aspects of care.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Meet all pre‑employment screening requirements
• Compassionate, patient, and dedicated to person‑centered support
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to foster independence while providing necessary support
• Knowledge of disability rights, self‑advocacy, and community integration principles
• Ability to maintain accurate records and follow regulatory guidelines

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 lbs., and occasionally pull at least 40 lbs.
• Must be able to squat, kneel, crawl, crouch, climb, and stoop as part of regular job duties.
• Must be able to use hands and fingers to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls.
• Required to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in CPR from floor level, which requires working on hands and knees, bending, standing, and lifting.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, and peripheral vision.
• Must be able to talk and hear.
• Exception – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs: For these programs only, employees must be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). The requirement to talk and hear does not apply.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

RHA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, prohibits discrimination based on the following protected categories: race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender, marital status, civil status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability.

RHA is an equal opportunity employer. We provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees with protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact our solutions center.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

• Complete criminal background check
• Name checked in the registries (OIG exclusions database, Child Abuse Registry, and Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities)
• Drug testing
• Education verification and other credentialing based on position requirements
• Proof of employment history or references (if required)
• Positions that require driving: proof of driver's license, driver's insurance, and vehicle, if required for providing transportation for individuals

BENEFITS

• Payactiv: early access to the money you’ve earned from hours you’ve already worked, before payday
• Employee perks and discount program to help you save money
• Paid Time Off (full‑time employees only)
• Health/Insurance (full‑time employees only)
• 401(k) retirement savings program
• Wellbeing Programs: Physical, Emotional and Financial
• Chronic Disease management programs for hypertension and diabetes (for qualifying employees)
• Training: Free CPR, first aid, and job‑specific training opportunities
• Contract/contingent workers and interns do not qualify for any of the above benefits

ABOUT RHA

At RHA Health Services, we help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health and/or substance use needs live their best lives. Our mission is to provide a safe and healthy environment while creating opportunities for personal outcomes. For over 30 years, the people we serve and support have remained at the very center of everything we do. RHA currently provides services in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and New Jersey.

If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of people we serve and support, apply to join the team today.