direct support professional

career coach

administrative assistant

instructor

teaching assistant

Barber National Institute

If you genuinely care about people and want the opportunity to meet a variety of clients and feel like you make a difference , I recommend BNI. Sure there will always be issues at times no matter where you work , especially with staffing. During my time at BNI I have worked my way up from PT , then FT and now as a Residential Manager. I've had to overcome health issues requiring FMLA, and never had to worry about job security even though I had not worked a full yr at the time. I have always felt I was able to express concerns and was even granted a transfer after requesting to move on from a less then optimal situation. The process did take awhile, but that was because upper management took the time to find the best possible fit for me. I couldn't be happier with my current situation, and I'm thankful I wasn't transferred randomly into an available position without it being the best fit . Do I work a lot, yes I do. Did I always ? Yes, but by choice. Not because I was ever forced to. If you look around as you drive through your community, you'll find that help wanted signs are a common occurrence. There are staffing shortages everywhere across many industries. Covid has presented many challenges that companies have had to overcome. I speak with experience when I say that BNI approached Covid swiftly and implemented many safety precautions that helped limit exposure. BNI adapted when needed, and those day staff who may have lost thier jobs during Covid were given the opportunity to move into Residential and keep earning paychecks. Did it mean staff always felt great because we were essential workers ? No. Especially when you realize that many folks made more sitting at home on unemployment for so long. Basically, if you are looking for an employer that offers the opportunity to meet clients of all ages and abilities, then BNI is the place for you. Yes, just like anywhere you will come across staff that are not on par and don't always meet the standards. Thing is, if you were to decide to apply and give BNI a try, then YOU could be a part of changing that . I go to work everyday knowing that I make a difference. That's all the reason I need to do it. The solution to a staffing crisis is dedicated new employees that are dependable , have positive attitudes and are willing to be the change needed to make things better. I tell my Team every day they are more then appreciated. I'd love the opportunity to tell you that too !

The overwhelming sense in the corridors of BNI is one of paranoia, staff and even supervisors always looking over their shoulders to see what the administrators are doing. I have never seen an organization where HR is so generally hated and feared  by nearly everyone. Consequently, if HR decides to hurt a staff person, and therefore a department, supervisors and other staff  are too fearful to intervene or show loyalty and support.  

HR seems to have developed a "3 months and you're out policy" terminating you because "though your work is excellent, you don't quite fit." This happens after probation is satisfactorily over but before your staff review where you become full staff.

You can be suspended pending an investigation on some charge of abuse or rule infraction, or even for an issue on the outside which has nothing to do with BNI at all; and when exonerated   terminated anyway with no recourse because PA is an "at will state."

Staff on my level are overworked and underpaid. What kept me going was that the consumers all wanted to be there and wanted to work with me. I loved my co-workers who were all helpful and supportive. Other departments, however have the reputation of trying to sabotage their staff.

The diversity statement in the hand book is a joke. They will respect aspects of other cultures and religions as long as it is BNI policy to do so. They do discriminate against minorities, but their defense is that they discriminate against other minorities in the same way, and therefore it is general policy and not discrimination.

If the BNI administration treated the consumers the way that they treat at least some of their staff, they would be up on abuse charges.

I kept hearing, over and over again "If Gertrude Barber were alive today, she would not allow the administration to conduct business this way!" 

I was let go over the objections of both consumers and staff, though they felt powerless to do anything about it.

I loved working for BNI. Always something to do, and loved the clients. If you're looking to work 40 hours per week, best of luck. More often than not they will ask if you can stay for overtime. If they don't have 40 work hours available to you in one group home, then they'll bounce you around to the other group homes to try to balance out your hours. If you value work/life balance, you'll be spending more time working here than having a personal life. There are very obvious cliques within the group homes pertaining to staff. If one person doesn't like you, then they all won't like you. The managers favorite certain staff, and they let the more senior employees walk all over them. From training at the main building, if you ask any questions about a policy or procedure once in the group home then be prepared to get sarcastic responses and looked at as if you shouldn't even be there. I loved the clients, and I loved the type of work in general. Management needs some work, and the sorority clique feel regarding the staff needs to end. The plus side is, if you're a part of the in crowd then you'll be promoted to Residential Manager before you're even ready. With subpar training as an RM, you can expect a lot of backlash from the employees who've been there longer that you won't know how to deal with. Based in the Corry PA group homes. Not Erie PA.

When I got my job at the Barber Center I had come from a supervisory role at a juvenile placement facility and I wasn’t quite sure how my experience was going to translate into a field working with people who are intellectually disabled. It didn’t take long for me to befriend many of my supervisors and bosses and put names to faces as they can be found most days in the main center and are pretty much accessible to anyone if you choose to approach them. The pay for the initial position I took was equivalent to that of what I was making as a supervisor at my previous job and while changing careers in you Late 20’s isn’t nearly as difficult as doing it in your late 40’s is was still good to see how involved there training and orientation process was. You spend a whole week in the main center, you learn about Dr. Barber herself, and you realize just how expansive the Barber Center. You step into these homes in the community that seem just like any other household, you walk through the halls of the school and you’ll be amazed at how well these teachers handle students of all functioning level. You’ve got residential, you’ve got day programs, you’ve got the school, facilities in Erie, Corry, Girard, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and more. At the Barber National Institute there is a job for everyone and more than just that, there’s room to grow and expand. It’s a great place to work and I would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for work.

If you are looking for a job where you can make a difference. If you do not think you could be a Care giver, just keep in mind of all the horror stories you have heard about clients in nursing homes where they were abused or neglected. How would you feel if those stories happened to one of your family members?  You are the person that can make a difference and stop these horror stories if you are caring and devoted person. Once you learn your responsibilities. Once you get to know the clients. You will be glad to come to work each day. I enjoy my job. I love coming to work. It does not seem like work. The clients have become like my extended family. Even my coworkers are like extended family. It is a good work environment. You are there to help the clients, to help them them grow but you also grow. I know, I have. As long as you come to work and do the work you are supposed to and treat everyone with respect, you will have no issues with any of the supervisors. Alot of people take caregiving positions because they think they can watch TV all day. That is not right. There is downtime, but only when everyone and all your responsibilities are taken care of. I am so glad I am working for this company. Other companies do not care about the clients or you. This company does care about you and the clients. Come in with the right working attitude. Come in caring. You will be blessed. It will not seem like a job and you are getting paid for it.

During this past year I have worked as a full-time third shift residential group home aide.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to be placed in a wide spectrum of group home settings ranging from full clinical care too severe mental health diagnosis.  Many lessons have been learned this past year the most profound of them being, never take anything for granted and always be appreciative of the things you are capable of doing.  My workplace has been very humbling and has shown me that my routine daily gestures are miracles and dreams for those striving to become independent. During this employment I have enjoyed my team of staff and being able to share the same goal of caring for individuals.  Management has been a key component of my job title as it is crucial to follow and create morning routines, fill out and complete morning activity schedules and goals, review IEP's, complete medication counts, pass meds, and above all manage delicate emotions and behaviors to continuously provide a safe and peaceful environment at all times. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to care about individuals everyday and know I made an impact on their daily lives.  In turn this also becomes the hardest part of my day, as I am left with the feeling that I am never able to do enough or as much as I would like to do to make these individual's dreams come true.   

At the Barber National Institute, you have the chance to work with a team of people who are dedicated to the education of those with Developmental Delays and Intellectual Disabilities.  As a para-educator, your daily tasks will include helping the children achieve their Individual Education Plan goals.  These range everything from assisting the student hand over hand with toileting, choosing the correct color crayon, writing their name, becoming more independent in doing daily living tasks, and other tasks requested by the teacher in the room.

The best part of the job is the people you work with, we all know that we are in this together.  Everyone knows all of the students and we are not afraid about helping each other or a student from another classroom.  The most challenging part of the job is seeing the students work so hard on a task one day, go home, and then having to restart all of the hard work again the next day.  In time they will master what they were working on, but until that point it can really test your patience.

A typical day is spent working in a austic support classroom. I worked one on one with children who have autism.We worked on treatment plan goals designed for the childs development by a team of experts in the field of autism.I vastly increased my knowledge of how to teach a child with autism.The management team provided alot of training and support to insure the children were getting the best treatment possible.The majority of my co-workers were dilligent in there work and care for the children they worked with.The most difficult part of my job is working through the childrens behaviors. Tantrums may consist of agression,screaming,floor drops,elopments among others.Working to increase childrens independence while not allowing the adverse behaviors to effect your teaching methods is challenging at times.I enjoy the breakthrough moments you get with the children. When they acquire skills you have been working on finally come to fruition. It is very gratifying when a parent thanks you for the work you did with their child. It leaves me feeling fulfilled at the end of the day.

There are many people in management positions, They decide if they dont like you.....they will harass you endlessly by threats, contradicting demands, verbal abuse, manipulation, and more. Its pretty well known in the community that employees are treated terribly and the shiny image they portray is a complete and utter lie.  The kids/adults are the only reason why most people are working there. It is an environment of fear, you are always being watched, and your never right, One week do this, the next week the opposite. Working there impacted my health and my life in detrimental ways. Do not work there, its all sunshine and rainbows at first, then you will discover that its really a toxic place for employees.......They only care about money as the big wigs walk around in their designer duds and throw the big parties and events for the wealthy donors. Sadly, they do not realize that happy employees means better care for clients. Imagine how much better that place would be if the employees were treated with actual respect? You would think the massive turnover would make them think.......but I suppose money matters more......Don't work there....do not believe the image the portray.

I mostly work full time second shift. The usual day includes running transport (driving company van to picking up clients from day programs). You cook dinner for clients and staff. You sit down like a family for dinner. You may shower individuals. Working with those individuals that may have a range of disabilities. You mostly pass medications after you complete medication class. You take clients to Dr appointments. You take them on outings. There can be a chance that you may have to clean up bodily fluids but protective gear is provided as well as cleaning products. A residential house will typically have 3-4 clients with 2-3 running staff per shift. You do need a valid drivers license to work at the facilities since you will be driving vehicles at times. The management styles differ from house to house and most of the time struggle with keeping long term staffing. It does open things up for overtime (pending approval from upper management)

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 7 salaries reported	$15.53 per hour
Career coach 1 salary reported	$15.00 per hour
Administrative assistant 6 salaries reported	$14.04 per hour
Instructor 5 salaries reported	$13.49 per hour
Teaching assistant 4 salaries reported	$16.13 per hour

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