Direct Support Professional
About the role
We are hiring for Direct Support Professionals at RHA Health Services. This role involves providing personalized support to individuals with disabilities, promoting health and safety, encouraging self-advocacy, facilitating community engagement, teaching and supporting independent living skills, and more.
Responsibilities
- Advocate for individuals' human, legal, and civil rights.
- Promote health and safety by supporting wellness initiatives and accident prevention.
- Encourage self-advocacy and empower individuals in making their own choices.
- Facilitate community engagement by accompanying individuals to work, recreational activities, and social events.
- Teach and support independent living skills, including household management and personal care.
- Provide transportation for appointments, errands, and community activities.
- Foster social connections by supporting relationship-building within the community.
- Support informed decision-making regarding living arrangements, employment, and social activities.
- Assist with personal care tasks, such as hygiene, bathing, dressing, and household chores (laundry, cleaning, and decorating).
- Maintain accurate documentation of provided services and support.
- Understand and address challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, using effective advocacy strategies.
- Connect individuals with community resources for career development, education, and volunteer opportunities.
- Encourage effective communication, adapting to individual needs and preferences.
- Aid in medication administration in accordance with state laws and regulations.
- Ensure confidentiality and uphold ethical standards in all aspects of care.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Meet all pre-employment screening requirements.
- Compassionate, patient, and dedicated to person-centered support.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to foster independence while providing necessary support.
- Knowledge of disability rights, self-advocacy, and community integration principles.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and follow regulatory guidelines.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Regularly required to lift 30 lbs.
- Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs.
- Must be able to pull minimum of 25 lbs.
- Must be able to squat, kneel, crawl, crouch, climb, and stoop.
- Must be able to regularly use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Required to regularly stand and walk.
- Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in CPR from the floor level requiring to work on hands, knees, bending, standing and lifting.
- Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.
- Must be able to talk and hear.
- Exception – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs: Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) is required for these programs.
Benefits
- Payactiv: early access to the money you’ve earned from hours you’ve already worked, before payday!
- Employee perks and discount program: to help you save money!
- Paid Time Off (full-time employees only)
- Health/Insurance (full-time employees only)
- 401(k) retirement savings program
- Wellbeing Programs: Physical, Emotional and Financial
- Chronic Disease management programs for hypertension and diabetes (for qualifying employees)
- Training: Free CPR, first aid, and job-specific training opportunities
About RHA
RHA Health Services helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health, and/or substance use needs live their best lives. Our mission is to provide a safe and healthy environment while creating opportunities for personal outcomes. For over 30 years, the people we serve and support have remained at the very center of everything we do. RHA currently provides services in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and New Jersey.