The Home Life Manager is an experienced professional dedicated to providing high-quality, hands-on care to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) within a Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) licensed residential setting. As a senior team member, this role serves as the primary assistant to the Residential Program Supervisor.
The Home Life Manager models direct care excellence, supports the onboarding, and mentoring of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and ensures a safe, respectful environment that maximizes each resident's independence, dignity, and quality of life.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education/Training
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
Proven experience providing hands-on care to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Preferred: One (1) year of experience as a Direct Support Professional within the Indian Creek Foundation network.
Core Skills
- Proficient verbal and written communication skills in English; moderate mathematics skills for documentation and household budgeting.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain tact, emotional resilience, and a positive outlook in challenging situations.
- Valid driver’s license with a clean three-year driving history.
- Successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment physical exam and drug screening.
- Clearance of a Criminal Background Check, Child Abuse History Clearance, and FBI fingerprinting (as applicable).
Physical Requirements
- Adequate physical mobility to perform all essential direct care tasks, including frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching.
- Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds independently.
- Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, including the safe transferring of individuals.
Maintains the skills necessary to safely and efficiently operate:
Medical & Adaptive Gear: Mechanical lifts, wheelchairs, adjustable beds/chairs, and specialized shower equipment.
Household Systems: General appliances, laundry facilities, and utility systems.
Administrative Tools: Electronic Health Records (EHR) software, digital payroll/time clock interfaces, and basic office suite equipment (copier/scanner).
1. Individualized Care & Advocacy
- Deliver person-centered care that encourages individuals to maintain or attain their highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.
- Protect the comfort, privacy, and rights of all residents, ensuring an environment rooted in dignity and respect.
- Assist individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, grooming, oral hygiene, feeding, toileting, bowel/bladder care, and ambulation.
- Administer medications, first aid, CPR, and crisis interventions (e.g., Heimlich maneuver) strictly adhering to Nursing Department protocols and PA regulations.
- Safely utilize mechanical lifts, adaptive chairs/beds, and standard transferring techniques as prescribed by individual care plans.
2. Program Leadership & Supervisor Support
- Act as a professional role model for DSP staff, assisting the Program Supervisor with operational tasks to ensure continuous programmatic quality.
- Provide actionable feedback to the Program Supervisor regarding program improvements, house dynamics, and staff development.
- Perform assigned supervisory coverages and critical site-based functions when the Program Supervisor is absent.
- Maintain open, professional, and HIPAA-compliant communication with families, visitors, and interdisciplinary team members.
- Remain adaptable to schedule modifications, including working varied shifts to ensure safe emergency staffing thresholds.
3. Site Operations & Safety Compliance
- Familiarity with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Chapter 6100 (Governance and Funding), Chapter 6400 (Community Residential Facilities), and Chapter 6500 (Family Living Homes) regulations.
- Oversee general group home upkeep, including housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, and nutritious meal preparation.
- Provide safe transportation for residents to daily activities, employment, medical appointments, and community outings, navigating stressful transit environments calmly.
- Adhere strictly to prescribed safety, sanitation, and infection control procedures (e.g., universal precautions, hand hygiene, proper disposal of hazardous materials).
- Promptly identify, document, and report all incidents, unusual incidents (UIs), or suspected individual rights violations to regulatory personnel in accordance with agency policy and PA ODP rules.
4. Professional Development & Teamwork
- Complete a minimum of 24 hours of required professional training annually.
- Participate actively in 1:1 supervision, team staff meetings, and annual program planning (ISP) meetings.
- Collaborate fluidly across other residential programs or group homes to assist with staffing shortages as assigned.
- Demonstrate complete compliance with the Indian Creek Foundation Code of Conduct and compliance plans.
Standard Requirements
- Supports the Mission and values of Indian Creek Foundation and the program.
- Is knowledgeable of resident rights and ensures an atmosphere that allows for the privacy, dignity, and well-being of all individuals served in a safe, secure environment.
- Supports, cooperates with, and implements specific procedures and programs for:
- Safety, including universal precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety plans, reporting and/or correcting unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs.
- Confidentiality of all data, including individuals served, employee and operations data.
- Compliance with all regulatory requirements and agency policies as required by Human Resources, licensing, and funding agencies.
- Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with HIPAA standards.
- Conducts oneself in a professional manner when representing Indian Creek Foundation.
- Functions as a member of the Team:
- Cooperates and works together with all co-workers, plans and completes job duties with minimal direct supervision and appropriate judgment.
- Uses tactful and appropriate communication in all situations.
- Reports and follows up regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns with appropriate personnel.
- Promotes positive public relations with individuals served, family members, other team members, and the community.
- Completes requirements for training, acceptable attendance, dress codes including personal hygiene, and other work duties as assigned.
- Complete all documentation to ensure compliance with all regulations and agency policies.
- Exhibits behavior as set forth by the Code of Conduct in performance of their duties.
- Completes annual compliance HIPAA training and exhibits behavior as set forth by the Code of Compliance in performance of duties.
Job Location
As assigned across regional site locations.