Direct Support Professional Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Pennsylvania
Direct support professional jobs in Pennsylvania draw significant hiring from providers like Elwyn, Resources for Human Development, and NHS Human Services, with strong demand across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown. Employers in Pennsylvania's well-funded intellectual and developmental disability services sector do sponsor international workers, particularly through H-1B visa and green card pathways.
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We are hiring for:
Behavioral Health Direct Support Professional/Lakewood
Type:
Regular
If you are a positive and personable individual looking for a satisfying and fun opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and people facing mental health, and substance use challenges, join our team at RHA Health Services!
The Behavioral Health Direct Support Professional (DSP) plays a vital role in supporting individuals with mental health and/or behavioral health challenges in the home and community. Working closely with each person, the DSP implements tailored services that align with the individual’s goals and desired outcomes. In this role, the DSP takes the time to understand each person’s unique background, including personal history, family, social connections, and future aspirations. Guided by supervision and direction, the DSP fosters a respectful and empowering environment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assists the person(s) receiving services in identifying and communicating his or her requests and needs for services and support.
- Promote and support a healthy lifestyle by educating on wellness practices and implementing strategies to prevent illness and accidents.
- Foster self-advocacy and encourage individual choice and decision-making aligned with personal goals.
- Accompany and support individuals in community activities such as work, movies, concerts, shopping, and other social outings to promote social engagement.
- Teach and support the development of independent living skills, enhancing self-sufficiency in daily activities.
- Provide safe and reliable transportation to appointments and community engagements.
- Foster positive relationships and inclusivity within the community, encouraging integration and a sense of belonging.
- Support and guide decision-making related to living arrangements, employment, and social relationships, respecting individual preferences.
- Assist with personal care tasks, including bathing and hygiene, as well as household chores like laundry, cleaning, and decorating, to maintain a comfortable living environment.
- Document all services provided to ensure accurate records and effective communication among support teams.
- Understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with mental health and behavioral health challenges and utilize advocacy strategies to address barriers.
- Connect individuals to resources that support career exploration, educational opportunities, volunteerism, and personal growth.
- Promote effective communication, ensuring all interactions are respectful, clear, and supportive of the individual’s needs.
- Administer medications when allowed by state regulations, following all safety and procedural guidelines.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding personal information, adhering to all legal and ethical standards.
- Perform additional duties as assigned and enhance service quality.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Meet all pre-employment screening
- Valid driver's license
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Must be able to regularly lift and carry up to 20 lbs. and occasionally pull at least 40 lbs.
- Must be able to squat, kneel, crawl, crouch, climb, and stoop as part of regular job duties.
- Must be able to use hands and fingers to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls.
- Required to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in CPR from floor level, which requires working on hands and knees, bending, standing, and lifting.
- Vision requirements include close, distance, and peripheral vision.
- Must be able to talk and hear.
- Exception – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs: For these programs only, employees must be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). The requirement to talk and hear does not apply.
Pre-employment screening:
- Complete criminal background
- Name checked in the registries. (OIG exclusions database, Child Abuse Registry, and Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities)
- Drug testing
- Education verification and other credentialing based on position requirements.
- Proof of employment history or references (if required)
- Positions that require driving Proof of driver's license, driver's insurance, and vehicle, IF required for providing transportation for individuals.
We offer the following benefits to employees:
- 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
- Contract/contingent workers and interns do not qualify for any of the above benefits
RHA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, prohibits discrimination based on the following protected categories: race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender, marital status, civil status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or disability.
In addition, we provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact our solutions center.
About RHA:
At RHA Health Services, we help 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.
If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of people we serve and support apply to join the team today.
Direct Support Professional Job Roles in Pennsylvania
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Search Direct Support Professional Jobs in PennsylvaniaDirect Support Professional Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for direct support professionals in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania-based providers such as Elwyn, Resources for Human Development, NHS Human Services, and Merakey have histories of employing internationally sponsored workers in direct care roles. Larger nonprofit and for-profit disability services networks are more likely to have dedicated HR infrastructure to manage sponsorship. Reviewing OFLC public disclosure data can help identify which specific Pennsylvania employers have filed labor certifications for comparable roles.
Which visa types realistically fit direct support professional roles in Pennsylvania?
Direct support professional roles are hands-on direct care positions and do not require a specialty occupation degree, so they don't qualify for H-1B or E-3 visa. Realistic pathways include the EB-3 unskilled or skilled worker green card through PERM labor certification, which many Pennsylvania disability services employers use. F-1 OPT can allow recent graduates to work temporarily, and J-1 visa trainee or intern categories may apply in limited training contexts through a designated sponsor organization.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have the most direct support professional sponsorship jobs?
Philadelphia consistently has the highest concentration of direct support professional openings in Pennsylvania, driven by its dense population and large nonprofit disability services providers. Pittsburgh follows, with established organizations serving Allegheny County's aging and disability populations. Allentown, Harrisburg, and Reading also show steady demand, particularly from regional providers that operate group homes and community integration programs across those metropolitan areas.
How to find direct support professional visa sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find direct support professional visa sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania, as it curates listings from employers with verified sponsorship history filtered specifically to this role and state. This saves significant time compared to manually screening general job postings. Focus your search on established nonprofit disability services providers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown, as these organizations are most likely to have the HR capacity to support green card or OPT-based hiring.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for direct support professionals in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's Office of Developmental Programs funds a large network of community-based providers under its waiver programs, creating steady and recurring hiring demand that supports longer-term employment relationships needed for green card sponsorship. The state's density of faith-based and nonprofit provider networks, particularly around Philadelphia and its suburbs, means many employers have navigated the PERM process before. Pennsylvania's workforce shortage in direct care has also made some larger providers more open to sponsoring international workers than in states with tighter provider funding.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored direct support professional jobs in Pennsylvania?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.