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Direct Support Professional Weekend Jobs in Pennsylvania

Chimes

Direct Support Professional

Wallingford, PA · On-site

$17.50/hr

Direct Support Professional - Weekend Position Make a Difference in Someone's Life Every Weekend Location: Wallingford, PA Schedule: Part-Time | Saturday - Sunday, 8am - 4pm Pay Rate: $17.50/hour ...

Chimes

Direct Support Professional

Wallingford, PA · On-site

$17.50/hr

Direct Support Professional - Weekend Position Make a Difference in Someone's Life Every Weekend Location: Wallingford, PA Schedule: Part-Time | Saturday - Sunday, 8am - 4pm Pay Rate: $17.50/hour ...

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Direct Support Professional Weekend information

What is a direct support professional weekend?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who work on weekends are caregivers who assist people with disabilities or special needs during weekend hours. Their duties may include helping clients with daily living activities, medication management, transportation, and social engagement. Weekend DSPs play a critical role in ensuring continuous support when regular weekday staff are unavailable. They often work in residential homes, community settings, or clients’ own homes, providing compassion and stability. This role requires flexibility, patience, and a dedication to improving clients’ quality of life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a direct support professional weekend?

To thrive as a Direct Support Professional Weekend, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic caregiving skills, and knowledge of support strategies for individuals with disabilities. Familiarity with documentation systems, assistive technology, and first aid/CPR certification is often required. Compassion, patience, reliability, and strong communication are crucial soft skills for building trust and supporting clients' independence. These skills ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of individuals while maintaining a supportive and responsive care environment.

What are some common challenges faced by direct support professionals working weekends, and how can they be managed?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) working weekends often encounter challenges such as staffing shortages, increased responsibility due to fewer supervisors on site, and supporting individuals during less structured or recreational hours. To manage these challenges, it’s important to communicate proactively with team members, use effective problem-solving skills, and remain adaptable to changing needs. Many weekend DSPs also find it helpful to plan engaging activities in advance and to build strong rapport with both the individuals they support and their colleagues, ensuring a supportive and collaborative environment.

What is the difference between Direct Support Professional Weekend vs Direct Support Professional Full-Time?

AspectDirect Support Professional WeekendDirect Support Professional Full-Time
Work ScheduleWeekend shifts, typically Saturday and SundayFull weekly schedule, including weekdays
CredentialsSame certifications as full-time, such as CPR/First AidSame certifications as weekend roles
Work EnvironmentResidential facilities, community settingsResidential, community, or day programs
Employer & IndustryHuman services, healthcare providersSame as weekend roles

Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments. The main difference is the schedule, with weekend positions focusing on weekend shifts, while full-time roles cover the entire week. Your choice depends on your availability and preferred work hours.

Where do direct support professionals get paid the most?

Direct Support Professionals tend to earn higher wages in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for healthcare services, such as urban areas or states with higher minimum wages. Factors like experience, certifications, and the specific employer also influence pay rates, with some facilities offering premium pay for weekend shifts or specialized skills.

What are popular job titles related to Direct Support Professional Weekend jobs in Pennsylvania?

For Direct Support Professional Weekend jobs in Pennsylvania, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional Weekend jobs in Pennsylvania look for?

The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional Weekend jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Direct Support Professional Weekend jobs?

Cities in Pennsylvania with the most Direct Support Professional Weekend job openings:

Direct Support Professional Weekend jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional Weekend job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Direct Support Professional - Weekend Double

Merakey

Elizabethtown, PA • On-site

$16.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 22 days ago

Merakey rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 82 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

91st of 243 rated social care providers

Job description

Position: Direct Support Professional
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Pay Rate: $16.25/HR ($2 additional per hour with Enhanced Pay option)
Shifts available: Double weekend (7am-11:00pm / Saturday & Sunday)
Merakey is Hiring Direct Support Professionals!
Merakey, a leading non-profit provider of developmental and behavioral health services, is seeking mission-driven, compassionate, and reliable individuals to join our team.
Whether you're an experienced Caregiver, Direct Care Worker, Home Health Aide, or someone looking to start a meaningful career in human services - this is your opportunity. No experience required - we provide paid training!
Key Responsibilities:
  • Provide direct care and support with activities of daily living (ADLs)
  • Assist with personal care, hygiene, mobility, and meal preparation
  • Support life skills development, including household tasks and social skills
  • Provide community support, transportation
  • Promote health, safety, and well-being, including medication support (as trained)
  • Complete required documentation, progress notes, and service logs To see what our current DSP say about working at Merakey, click here......DSP Spotlight Page To see what it's all about, click here....DSP Position: IDD Services

Why Being a DSP at Merakey is a Great Opportunity:
As a Direct Support Professional (DSP), you'll work alongside a passionate team to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You'll help them build independence, develop social and communication skills, and navigate daily living activities like personal care, housekeeping, and community engagement.
Spend your days making memories - from trips to the park and sensory gardens to helping individuals achieve their personal goals. You'll be a mentor, coach, and advocate.
What Merakey Offers YOU:
We believe in giving back to our team. Merakey provides:
  • DailyPay - access your earnings when you need them
  • Flexible Schedules & Work-Life Balance
  • Health, Dental, Eye, and Ear Benefits
  • Employee Referral Bonuses
  • Care.com Membership
  • Cell Phone Discounts
  • Paid Training & Career Development Opportunities

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!
Our Commitment to Diversity:
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!
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license.
  • High School diploma/G.E.D. preferred- not required
  • Related direct care experience (DSP, CAN, HHA) preferred.
  • Must have a desire to help others reach their fullest potential.

What Merakey employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Merakey

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Merakey is a leading developmental, behavioral health, and education non-profit provider with a fifty-year history. We offer a breadth of integrated services to individuals and communities across the country. Our belief that every individual has the right to achieve growth, dignity, and fulfillment guides all of our decisions. At Merakey, we care about each other and are committed to providing the very best care to those we serve. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Industry

Non-profits

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Lafayette Hill, PA, US

Year founded

1960

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