Personal Care Attendant

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Support Professional (DSP) — Self-Directed Services

Location: Philadelphia, PA (in person) Job Type: Full-time / Part-time Compensation: $15.00–$17.73 per hour Schedule: Flexible shifts available — day, evening, and weekend hours

About This Opportunity

I am an active individual with developmental and physical disabilities seeking a dependable, compassionate Direct Support Professional to join my support team. This is a self-directed position under Person-Centered Planning — you will work directly for me, not an agency, which means a personal working relationship, clear expectations, and support built around my goals and preferences.

This role is ideal for someone who values meaningful work, wants to grow professionally in the human services field, and is committed to promoting independence rather than dependence.

A bit about me: I love being read to, staying connected through writing (you'd be my hands on the keyboard), gaming on my PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, and getting out into the community. The right person for this role won't just assist me — they'll genuinely enjoy sharing these activities with me. If you know your way around game systems, that's a real plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily living activities (meals, personal care, household routines) in a way that supports my independence and choices
• Monitor and support medication administration according to my service plan
• Provide seizure response and support — recognizing onset, ensuring safety during and after an episode, timing and documenting the event, and following my seizure protocol
• Respond to episodes of syncope (fainting/loss of consciousness) — positioning me safely, monitoring recovery, documenting the incident, and following my established emergency protocol, including when to call for medical assistance
• Provide transportation assistance to appointments, work, and community activities
• Maintain clear, respectful, and supportive communication at all times
• Complete accurate documentation and reporting, including compliance with the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system and state documentation standards
• Support community participation and engagement consistent with my person-centered plan
• Read aloud to me (books, articles, mail, and other materials)
• Type and scribe for me — emails, letters, documents, and other written communication
• Join me in playing games and other recreational activities I enjoy — including video games on PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch (setting up consoles, navigating menus, and playing alongside me)
• Accompany me on outings into the community — events, errands, social activities, and recreation
• Assist with muscle relaxation and tension-relief techniques — gentle therapeutic touch and passive range-of-motion support — as outlined in my service plan and health maintenance routine

Preferred Qualifications

• Entry-level experience in direct support or caregiving (training provided)
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Commitment to a person-centered support approach
• Strong communication skills
• Crisis intervention knowledge (or willingness to complete training)
• Seizure recognition and response experience helpful but not required — full training will be provided, and I'll teach you my specific protocols; CPR/First Aid certification a plus (if you don't have it, we'll cover the cost of getting you certified)
• Medication administration experience helpful but not required — training will be provided
• Documentation and reporting capabilities — training on documentation standards and EVV will be provided
• Team collaboration skills
• Familiarity with gaming consoles (PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and comfort playing video games
• Empathy, patience, and reliability
• Adherence to all safety and compliance requirements

Requirements

• Valid driver's license and clean driving record (required for transportation assistance)
• Authorization to work in the United States
• Willingness to travel locally on occasion
• Ability to pass required background clearances

What I Offer

• Flexible scheduling built around mutual availability
• On-the-job training with opportunities for ongoing training and certification — no prior experience needed; if you're new to seizure response or health supports, that's perfectly fine, and you'll be fully trained on my routines and protocols before working independently
• Professional development support for continuous growth in the field, including paid CPR/First Aid certification
• A respectful, collaborative working environment where your contribution is genuinely valued