Direct Support Specialist - FT 33.5h

Journey Found; Manchester (NH); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Journey Found, Inc. in Manchester, CT is seeking a Direct Support Specialist to assist individuals with daily living activities in our group homes.

This role requires compassion, empathy, and a commitment to respectful, person-centered care. You will support with daily living tasks, transport clients, organize activities, assist with medications, attend medical appointments, document program data, and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure safety and well-being.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 3 years driving experience with valid license preferred.
• Strong communication and documentation ability.
• CPR/First Aid and medication administration training may be required.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals with daily living activities (dressing, cooking, cleaning, bathing, toileting).
• Transport clients to appointments and activities.
• Organize and supervise community outings and activities.
• Administer medications as trained and document program data.
• Attend doctors’ appointments and coordinate care.
• Collaborate with Nurses, Clinical staff, Directors and Supervisors.

Skills

Driving experience

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: 190 South Main - Manchester, CT 06040

Salary Range: $19.67 Hourly

Schedule: Sat 9a-9p, Sunday 4p-11p, Monday 4p-11:30p, Tuesday 4p-11p

Application Deadline (internal applications): 5/28/2026

Are you interested in helping others? Compassionate, empathetic, and caring? Then this might be a great opportunity for you! We are currently looking for a Direct Support Specialist to help the people we are supporting in our group homes.

The mission of Journey Found Inc. is to provide behavioral, residential, and other support services to individuals of Connecticut with Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities to enable them to become all they are capable of being.

Fundamental Functions of the Position

• Supporting individuals with activities of daily living (getting dressed, cooking, cleaning, bathing, toileting, etc.)
• Transporting people
• Organizing activities and community outings
• Medication administration
• Doctors’ appointments
• Documenting Program Data
• Teaching and engaging
• Implementing good routines
• Helping in decision making process
• Grocery shopping and running errands
• Deescalating situations and managing behaviors
• Working as part of a collective team
• Communicating professionally with Nurses, Clinical Staff, Directors and Supervisors

Benefits

We offer a rich benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, flexible spending accounts, dependent care accounts, and 403-(b) plan, tuition reimbursement and more for full time employees.

Training

We provide state-of-the-art training in areas such as person centered planning/thinking, CPR/first aid, human rights, compliance/HIPAA, workplace safety/OSHA and medication administration.

Experience preferred but not necessary--we train exceptional people to provide exceptional care.

Requirements

• Must have at least a High School Diploma or its equivalent
• Must have at least 3 years driving experience with a valid driver’s license
• Behavioral Management Experience and/or formal training
• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing
• Will be required to be PMT, CPR, FA and complete DDS Medication Administration Program (MAP)
• Must be free from communicable disease

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Journey Found, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Journey Found, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Essential Physical Requirements

The ability to move independently throughout a wide range of environments, some of which may not be wheelchair or otherwise handicapped accessible, is required. Independent transportation to locations that may not be served by public transportation may be necessary. Journey Found will make reasonable accommodations, whenever possible, when needed and/or requested by employees. Requests for accommodations will be honored, unless the accommodation would cause undue hardship on the operation of the program and/or on the organization.

Qualifications

No additional qualifications specified.