Direct Support Professional - Specialized

Merakey·Cresson, Pennsylvania

$22 - $22/hrFull Time On Site 2-5 yrsPosted 24 days ago

Practice for this role

Direct Support Professional - Specialized · $22 - $22/hr

How this role compares

Computed from live listings

-26% vs. median posted rate for behavioral health roles in Pennsylvania ($30.00/hr, n=1789)

3 similar openings in the Cresson area

$0.50/hr · p10p90 · $11,310/hr

this role: $22.26/hrmedian $30.00/hr

Shaded band: the middle 50% of 1,789 posted behavioral health roles in Pennsylvania rates. This role sits in the 31st percentile.

About the role

Pay for this role is about 26% below the Pennsylvania median for behavioral health roles.

The Direct Support Professional is responsible for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through counseling, mentoring, and coaching. They provide support for individuals with co-occurring mental health issues, autism, or medical conditions to help them reach their highest potential.

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do. We are seeking a Direct Support Professional Specialized/Dual Diagnosis (DSP)to join our team at our program in Cresson, PA.

Earn $22.26 / hour when enhanced pay option is selected.

The Direct Care Professional (DSP) Specialized is responsible for supporting and enhancing the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A DSP Specialized should use counseling, mentoring, coaching, modeling, and other trained strategies to assist individuals in reaching their highest potential. This role will support individuals with IDD, signs and symptoms of serious mental illness, Autism and/or medical conditions which some could be the underlying causes of behavior.

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 [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.

Requirements

Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 21 years old, and possess a valid driver's license. Applicants are required to have 1-3 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities or mental health issues.

high school
Coaching
Documentation
Mentoring
Counseling
Behavioral support
Crisis intervention
Mental health support
Safety monitoring
Developmental disability support
Individualized care planning

Posting details

Employment type: Full Time
Work arrangement: On Site
Experience: 2-5 yrs
Salary: $22 - $22/hr
Location: Cresson, Pennsylvania
Posted: Aug 15, 2026
Application: Employer website

Behavioral health roles in Pennsylvania

Behavioral health employers in Pennsylvania often seek candidates with direct patient care experience, and roles can be more competitive when applicants also bring phlebotomy certification or experience in crisis, detox, or acute psychiatric settings. This posting requires a high school diploma or GED plus at least one year of patient care experience, and the listed requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description to save you research time. If you’re considering applying, review whether your experience matches the setting and be ready to highlight any behavioral-health or phlebotomy background.