Job Details: Job Location: Shared Wellness Center - Warrington, PA, Position Type: Full-Time/Part-Time, Education Level: High School, Salary Range: $20.21 - $20.21Hourly, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Health Care, Position Overview
The Wellness Direct Support Professional provides person centered support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in center based and community settings. The position supports an assigned group of generally up to three individuals, consistent with each individual’s assessed needs, Individual Support Plan, and required staffing ratio. The Wellness DSP facilitates wellness activities, community participation, skill development, social connection, and personal growth while protecting each individual’s health, safety, dignity, and rights. This position requires initiative, sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to provide support independently in community settings.
Qualifications: Direct Support and Individual Plan Implementation
- Provide daily care, support, training, and supervision to assigned individuals.
- Implement services, outcomes, strategies, and supports identified in each individual’s Individual Support Plan.
- Understand each individual’s strengths, preferences, communication style, health needs, risks, and required level of supervision, and support informed choices about activities and services.
- Promote independence, self-advocacy, self-determination, community inclusion, and personal growth while providing the assistance necessary to maintain health and safety.
- Build respectful and supportive relationships that foster trust, engagement, social connection, and meaningful participation.
- Serve as a positive role model and maintain professional, ethical, and respectful boundaries in all interactions.
- Provide personal care, mobility assistance, and support with activities of daily living when required while maintaining active supervision in facility and community settings.
Wellness Programming and Skill Development
- Facilitate activities that promote physical, emotional, social, and personal wellness and reflect individual interests, abilities, and goals.
- Support participation in individual, small group, and larger group activities, adapting activities when individuals have different interests, abilities, or support needs.
- Promote communication, social, recreational, community living, and independent living skills by modeling healthy choices and respectful interactions.
- Prepare activity spaces, materials, and supplies and maintain an organized and welcoming environment.
Community Participation and Transportation
- Plan and facilitate regular community activities aligned with individual preferences, goals, and support needs.
- Support individuals in developing community connections, relationships, recreational interests, volunteer experiences, and greater independence.
- Safely transport up to three individuals using a personal vehicle and follow all agency transportation, vehicle safety, and mileage-documentation requirements.
- Maintain awareness of each individual’s location, supervision needs, and health and safety requirements, adjusting activities when circumstances require a change in plans.
Mealtime and Health Support
- Provide active support to assigned individuals throughout the paid meal period.
- Eat alongside individuals, as appropriate, to model mealtime skills and promote social engagement and relationship building.
- Provide assistance and supervision consistent with each individual’s plan, including dietary requirements, prescribed food consistencies, positioning protocols, and other health and safety instructions.
- Receive, transport, store, document, and assist with or administer medications only as trained and authorized and in accordance with agency procedures.
- Observe and report changes in an individual’s physical health, emotional well being, behavior, or support needs.
Documentation and Communication
- Complete timely, accurate, and objective service documentation and progress notes for each individual supported.
- Document services in accordance with the Individual Support Plan, regulatory requirements, billing standards, and agency procedures.
- Communicate relevant information to the Wellness Program Specialist and other members of the support team.
- Promptly report incidents, injuries, illnesses, medication concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, and other health or safety concerns while maintaining required confidentiality.
Program Operations
- Welcome individuals and support arrival, departure, and transitions between activities.
- Maintain clean, organized, safe, and welcoming program and vehicle environments and assist with program preparation, cleanup, and operational needs.
- Participate in required meetings, supervision, training, and professional development.
- Follow Shared Wellness policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Perform other related duties consistent with the purpose and responsibilities of the position.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.
- Commitment to person centered practices, individual rights, and community inclusion.
- Ability to read and implement Individual Support Plans and health and safety instructions and demonstrate strong communication, documentation, decision making, and problem solving skills.
- Ability to work independently, adapt to changing needs, and use electronic systems to complete documentation and required communications.
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required.
- Ability to complete all required background screenings, health clearances, and initial and annual training requirements.
Physical and Work Requirements
- Ability to remain active throughout the workday; stand, walk, bend, and reach; and assist individuals with mobility and personal care as required.
- Ability to safely perform the physical responsibilities identified in individual support and emergency plans, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to work in varied community environments and weather conditions.
- Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of the position.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
At Shared Wellness, we believe every person deserves respect, dignity, and opportunity. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve.
All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs—without regard to race (to include hair type, hair texture, or hair style), color, religion, sex (to include pregnancy status, childbirth status, breastfeeding status, sex assigned at birth, affectional or sexual orientation, differences in sex, or gender identity or expression), national origin, age (40 and over), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
We welcome individuals from all backgrounds to join us in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, connected lives.