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Direct Support Professional - Newtown Square, PA

Merakey
tuition reimbursement, retirement plan
United States, Pennsylvania, Newtown Square
Apr 27, 2026
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Direct Support Professional
#108960
Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, United States
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Position Type
Full-Time
Shift
2nd Shift - with week-ends
Work Schedule
Sun thru Thurs 4P-12A
Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:



  • Must be 18 years old.
  • Must have a verifiable High School diploma/G.E.D. OR 4 -5 years' experience working in a human services residential setting
  • 1-3 total years of experience required
  • Willingness to obtain NADSP Certification obtained within first year of hire, if required

Description

Merakey Aligned Job Title



Program Lead



Alternate or Regulatory Job Title(s) if applicable



Program Lead



Job Description Type



New Revision



Department Number



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Revision Date



Click or tap to enter a date.



Reports to (Title)



Program Manager



Travel Required



Yes No



Number of Direct Reports





If yes, percentage





Billable Position



Yes No



Section 1: Job Attributes



Section 2: Minimum Credentialing Requirements








Minimum Required Education





Education Field of Study (if applicable)



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Experience Accepted in Place of Required Education (if applicable)



*Equivalency for credited coursework and experience



Licensure and/or Certification



NADSP Certification obtained within first year of hire



Total Years Experience



Specific Experience Requirements



Click or tap here to enter text.



Supervisory/Managerial Experience:



Additional Language (Reading/Writing/Speaking Fluency):



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Section 3: Additional training, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities or experience




Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills

Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Ability to make quick decisions and remain calm under pressure

Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team





Section 4: Job Summary


Summary description of the role and its purpose




The Program Lead plays a critical role in the day-to-day management and oversight of specific programs or services within their identified Division. Reporting to the Program Manager, this position is responsible for coordinating program activities, supervising program staff, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to program participants. This role may manage a caseload of their own.

Staff Management

* Provide guidance, support, and direction to staff members

* Assign duties and responsibilities to staff based on program needs and individuals' strengths

* Conduct regular check-ins and provide feedback to staff regarding performance and areas for improvement

Client Care and Safety

* Ensure the safety and security of clients and staff by enforcing program policies and procedures

* Monitor client behavior and intervene as necessary to de-escalate conflicts or address concerns

* Respond to emergencies or crises effectively, following established protocols and seeking assistance as needed





Section 5: Job Specific Functions


What are the major functions this role is required/expected to execute?




* Acts as the lead staff and point person when on shift

* Work with the Program Manager to oversee the work of the DSPs

* Approve all DSP timecards and leave requests

* Prepares and manages house schedules in coordination with the Program Manager

* Direct Care responsibilities to include but not limited to activities of daily living (ADLs), food preparation and/or feeding, maintaining required supervision requirements

* Medication management and administration

* Incident Management in coordination with Program Manager and QCO

* Manages all household needs to include but not limited to menu development, grocery shopping, housekeeping

* Ensure ongoing upkeep and maintenance of assigned home

* Ensures overall cleanliness ongoing

* Daily maintenance needs (lightbulbs, filter cleanings, etc.)

* Identifies needed repairs and submits maintenance requests





Section 6: Merakey Core Competencies



Communication & Collaboration



  • Can be clear and concise in their communications, both written and verbal.
  • Is willing to advocate for their beliefs while balancing and respecting the views of others.
  • Works as part of the team to achieve organizational and program objectives and tasks.



Interpersonal Skills



  • Relates to different types of people and builds positive relationships across the site/organization.
  • Shows up with their authentic self every day and appreciates people's differences; is friendly and open.
  • Shows a curiosity for other's thoughts and perspectives; provides thoughtful feedback to peers and other organizational stakeholders.



Resourcefulness



  • Is willing to learn and understand the various company resources; where to find them, actively uses them and shares them with others.
  • Has awareness and understanding of personal limits and when to ask for assistance.
  • Can persevere through unexpected challenges.



Customer Focus



  • Will put the customer (Individuals served, families, co-workers, other stakeholders) at the heart of their actions.
  • Can develop and maintain trusting relationships with customers (Individuals served, families, co-workers, other stakeholders).
  • Can prioritize safety and confidentiality to maintain an optimal environment for all.



Tech Savvy



  • Is willing to learn and understand organizational digital tools, such as Electronic Health Record, Self Service tools, electronic forms, email, and other systems as necessary.
  • Willing to adopt new organizational technologies.
  • Demonstrates use of technology relevant to the job role



Diversity



  • Understands, appreciates, and works well with people from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and points of view.
  • Prioritizes psychological safety by creating a welcoming place where everyone feels respected, valued, and can share their own unique skills and experiences.
  • Connects with others who come from different backgrounds and experiences, builds relationships and fosters teamwork that helps a group or organization do well.
  • Avoids using stereotypes and is conscious of their own biases.




Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!


Ready to make a difference?
Apply today at
www.merakey.org/careers to learn more.





Benefits


Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:



  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
  • Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
  • DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
  • On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
  • Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
  • Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
  • Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
  • Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.


Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits


About Merakey


Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.


Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

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