Direct Support Specialist - FT 40h

Journey Found, Inc.; Manchester (CT); Hybrid; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

AD&D

403(b) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Journey Found, Inc. is seeking a Direct Support Specialist to assist individuals with daily living activities in our group homes in Manchester, CT. The role involves caregiving, transportation, medication administration, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, at least 3 years of driving experience, and completion of MAP training (PMT/CPR/FA). Full-time, on-site with competitive benefits and ongoing training provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 3 years of driving experience with a valid license.
• Behavioral management experience or formal training preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Must complete PMT, CPR, FA and DDS Medication Administration Program (MAP).

Responsibilities

• Assist individuals with activities of daily living (dressing, cooking, cleaning, bathing, toileting).
• Transport individuals to activities and appointments.
• Organize activities and community outings.
• Administer medications as directed.
• Attend doctors’ appointments with individuals.
• Document program data accurately.
• Provide teaching and engagement to individuals.
• Maintain consistent routines and structure.
• Assist in decision making processes.
• Run errands and grocery shopping as needed.
• Deescalate situations and manage behaviors.
• Collaborate with nurses, clinicians, directors, and supervisors.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: 191 Preston - Manchester, CT 06040

Salary Range: $20.85 Hourly

SCHEDULE: Tues - Fri 2:30p-11:30p, Sat 3p-11p

For internal applications written interest & resume must be submitted by application deadline: 9/10/2026

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
• Workings as part of a collective team
• Communicating professionally with Nurses, Clinical Staff, Directors and Supervisors

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.

We provide state-of-the-art training in areas such as person centered planning/thinking, CPR/first aid, human rights, compliance/HIPAA, work-place 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

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.