Home and Community Direct Support Professional, Chestnut Hill

Access Services is seeking caring and patient DSPs (Direct Support Professionals) to join our In Home Supports team on a part-time schedule with current shift options in Chestnut Hill, Ambler, Glenside, and the surrounding areas!

As a Direct Support Professional, you will have the opportunity to provide supports to adults with developmental disabilities/Autism who desire to continue living in a home environment for as long as possible. Your daily actions as a Direct Support Professional will enable each individual to flourish in their desired home context, maintain or increase their independence, and live their best lives. Your goal is to provide the highest quality care for each individual. Paid training is provided by Access Services, so no experience is necessary.

Key Responsibilities of the DSP:

• Direct Support Professionals will assist individuals with developmental intellectual disabilities in the region where you serve. You will provide creative support through a variety of tasks, activities and/or community engagement. You may provide direct services to individuals in their own homes or in their natural family homes.

• Direct Support Professionals will provide supports as outlined in the individual’s plan of care utilizing approved interventions. This includes safe crisis management techniques, emotional support, and positive reinforcement.

• Direct Support Professionals will maintain appropriate case notes for the individuals served.

• Direct Support Professionals will engage in supervision, training, and professional development.

Candidates must meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria, including background checks, physical examination results, and clearances. 

Education: High school diploma or GED preferred.

Experience: One year of direct care experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities preferred. 

Driving Requirements:

• A valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle during work hours.
• A U.S. driver’s license for the past two years (not including time with a permit). 
• Must be listed as a driver on a valid auto insurance policy. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Creative problem solving and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to teach basic daily living skills.
• Ability and willingness to provide personal care.
• Knowledge of basic family dynamics.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with individuals, their families, case managers and the general public.
• Ability to express ideas clearly with the individual and family.
• Ability to express ideas verbally and document clear and precise outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment and sensitivity to the family atmosphere.
• Commitment to Resident Rights and individuality of the person being served. Ability to manage time and work independently within provided guidelines.
• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies.
• Ability to navigate network drives and basic hardware use and troubleshooting.

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands: Work in program sites and the community routinely providing direct care and support with individual(s). Stand, sit or run by self, or to provide proper care and supervision with an individual. Able to move and stay with an individual to keep them safe, both in home environment and community, both at near and far distances, even when an individual may struggle to meet identified expectations. Able to assist an individual who has fallen, regardless of weight or size. Walk, climb stairs by self, or to provide direct care ensuring individual’s safety, or to complete household and community tasks. Perform household tasks or tasks within the community such as laundry, cleaning, completing meal routines, shopping or dining out and, at the same time, ensuring individual’s safety and proper direct care and compliance with ISP.  

Compensation and schedule:

• Direct Support Professional's hourly rate starts at $17/hour, with increases based on education and experience.
• DSP positions are available based on program openings. Schedules are built around your availability and based on client needs.

All employees receive the following benefits:

• Mileage Reimbursement, paid travel time between worksites
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Referral Bonuses
• Ongoing Training

• Discounts on various services, perks with local Credit Unions, college tuition discounts

If working 20 hours or more, benefits also include:

• Paid Time Off, Tuition reimbursement, 401k match.

If working 30 hours per week, benefits also include:

• Health, Vision, Rx, & Dental insurances
• 401k match, Tuition Reimbursement and college tuition discounts
• 20 Days Paid Time Off plus additional time with continued service. Paid Holiday Time. Catastrophic Sick Leave (CSL)
• Company Paid Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability

Why work for Access Services as a Caregiver or a DSP?

We offer an inclusive, supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development, career growth and a team that truly cares about the work they do, the people they support and their team members.

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required and do not restrict management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.