Enhanced Direct Support Professional

Access Services is seeking caring and patient Enhanced DSPs (Direct Support Professionals) to join our In Home Supports team in Clifton Heights, Delaware County, PA! We are open to full or part-time staff in this Enhanced DSP role.

If you are not qualified for our Enhanced DSP role, we have DSP openings throughout the surrounding areas you may be qualified for.  

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.  

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 and activities both in their homes and in the community. You may provide direct services to individuals in their own homes or in their natural family homes. 

• Direct Support Professionals will provide support 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.    

Requirements

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

Enhanced DSP candidates must meet one of the three following criteria:  

1. A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Education, Special Education, Counseling, Social Work or Gerontology.  
2. OR, High School Diploma/GED equivalency will be accepted with one year AND 1000 hours of experience as a Direct Support Professional. Candidates will then be required to complete NADD Certification with the support of Access Services.  
3. OR, other accepted degree/certifications (current or active): 

• NADD Competency Based Clinical Certification, NADD Competency-Based Dual Diagnosis Certification, or NADD Competency-Based Direct-Support Professional Certification. 

• Registered Behavior Technician. 

• Certified Nursing Assistant.  

• Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. 

 Driving Requirements:

• A valid driver's license, and access to a reliable vehicle during work hours. 

• A U.S. driver’s license for at least 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 idea’s verbally and document clear and precise outcomes as documented in the PSP.  

• 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.   

• Skills acquired from training on autism spectrum disorders, experience in managing medical needs, or behavior management.   

• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies.  

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.  

Benefits

Compensation and schedule:

• The base rate for the Enhanced Direct Support Professional position starts at $17/hour with an additional $5/hour incentive rate for a starting rate of $22/hour for enhanced case shifts. Increases to the base rate are based on education and experience. 

• The enhanced rate position is available based on program openings. Currently, this position has availability for the following schedule: 

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 9am-4pm.  

• We are open to full or part-time staff filling the above shifts.  

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, Student Loan Assistance 

• 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.