Direct Support Professional (Dsp)

About Us

Skills of Central PA (Skills) provides support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges throughout central Pennsylvania. If you’re looking for a place where you can grow your career while helping people, give Skills a closer look!

We have positions available in Cumberland and Adams County, including Mechanicsburg, Carlisle and Biglerville that we would love to discuss with you! We have full-time and part-time positions. All positions require a weekend (Saturday and Sunday, every other weekend) rotation and a holiday rotation. Our full-time positions are as follows:

• Mechanicsburg: Daylight position (6a-2p) w/ weekend rotation
• Carlisle: Daylight position (6a-2p) w/ weekend rotation
• Carlisle: Daylight/Evening position (11a-7p) w/ weekend rotation
• Carlisle: Daylight/Evening position (one 12-hr & two 10-hr shifts) w/ weekend rotation (6a-2p)
• Carlisle: Evening position (2p-10p) w/ weekend rotation
• Carlisle: Evening position (3p-11p) w/ weekend rotation
• Carlisle: Overnight (awake) position (10p-6a) w/ weekend rotation
• Biglerville: Daylight/Evening position (11a-7p) w/ weekend rotation
• Biglerville: Daylight/Evening position (one 12-hr & two 10-hr shifts) w/ weekend rotation (6a-2p)
• Biglerville: Evening position (2p-10p) w/ weekend rotation
• Biglerville: Overnight (awake) position (10p-6a) w/ weekend rotation

We have part-time positions available on all shifts (first, second and third). We offer differentials for evening and overnight shifts and weekend hours worked. Pay rate is based on direct experience.

*CNAs are offered a higher rate.

About the Job

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! WE WILL TRAIN YOU!! Skills is seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to work in our residential group homes. DSPs are the key to the services we provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The job is challenging and rewarding. As a DSP you will:

• Use person-centered thinking to thoroughly understand the wants and needs of the people you support and what is important to/for them
• Plan parties, games, crafts, outings, and other activities based on the interests of people you support
• Drive people to and from fun community activities and appointments
• Help the people you support build meaningful relationships in their communities and become a part of their support system at home
• Support people with their daily living needs, independence skills, and personal care (e.g., grooming, bathing, toileting, feeding, cooking, cleaning, etc.)
• Administer medication(s), after you receive thorough training
• Complete documentation, as needed

Check out the videos on our Career site for more information about what it’s like to work at Skills! You can find us at www.SkillsOfCentralPa.org

About You

There are a few things you’ll need to succeed at Skills. If you’ve got what it takes, this may be the most rewarding career you’ll ever have!

• You need “grit”. In this line of work, some days are challenging. When the going gets tough, you have to be tougher.
• You need “heart”. The people we support are vulnerable, so treating them with kindness, compassion, and respect is a must, not an option.
• You need to advocate. The people we support sometimes have difficulty speaking for themselves, so you need to learn about their needs and support them.
• You need to mentor. Our day-to-day work involves teaching people the skills they need to succeed. You have to be patient and dedicated to their progress.

About the Requirements

You do not need prior experience or a college degree to become a Direct Support Professional. In fact, we’ll provide all of the training and certification you need to be successful. There are a few simple requirements you’ll need for the position:

• 18 years of age or older
• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Valid driver’s license (must be maintained)
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Post-Offer Background check, physical, fitness-for-duty, drug screen and TB test

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $16.00 - $19.60 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid orientation
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Overnight shift
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience working with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities?
• Are you looking for a Full-Time or Part-Time position?
• Are you available for the required weekend rotation (every other weekend) and a holiday rotation?
• Were you referred by a current Skills employee? If so, who?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• CNA (Preferred)
• Driver's License (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)
• Night Shift (Preferred)
• Overnight Shift (Preferred)

Work Location: In person