speech language pathologist

clinical psychologist

physical therapist

occupational therapist

direct support professional

LifeScape

There are a lot of risks with working at this job with your mental and physical health. It is very stressful and has been understaffed for a long time. You are at risk getting hurt being that the children supported or physically aggressive. Sometimes it’s difficult to get help with other staff, behavioral therapist, and specialist when you’re on the floor. The long hours during the week weekend are very hard to work- They are 12 to 13 hours- sometimes during the week or weekend you have to stay longer to fill out paperwork depending on the severity of behaviors that day. it’s not easy to get off of work on time. This job more often than not is physically and emotionally draining. Working with the persons supported is very rewarding in and of itself. When it’s a good day and everything runs smoothly, it’s very rewarding,  but There are days where it’s extremely overwhelming where multiple residents engage in lots of behaviors and where there is no help. There is only 30 minute breaks. Finding breakers sometimes is difficult. Sometimes staff doesn’t receive a break even when working there long weekends. We are able to go on outings with residence which are really fun when everything goes well. With everything opening up after Covid we have been able to spend more time outside than in which has helped. Sometimes it seems that management doesn’t care for your safety and well-being. There have been some stuff that have been hurt multiple times and have been paired with specific residents that have hurt them. Management style is ran as an organized mess. Upper management encourages staff to voice their concerns. It is easy to move your way up in the company and management is very supportive of that. It’s been i’ve been short stuff during the evenings and more often than not there aren’t enough people to respond two resident crises. Learning physical management procedures was very informative. Nursing is very supportive of stuff. The leads which are supposed to be out of ratio have had to be in ratio and have residence which makes it hard for them to help staff and support staff when needed. There is also a lot of paperwork that needs to get filled out with how to run certain programs with residence. Some of the programming is confusing to run and sometimes it takes time for behavioral therapist to teach it out to staff in an appropriate amount of time. It’s difficult when things outside of your work happen to you for example getting sick, car not working, being tired, etc. it’s very difficult to have a work life balance. Personally I have felt pressured and sort of shamed into coming into work instead of calling out in order to take care of my mental, physical, emotional well-being. All of which are in constant jeopardy due to this line of work. Staff have a lot of anxiety when wanting to call off. DSPs feel undervalued and replaceable at this job. 

I would arrive at Lifescape and immediately meet the residents who were brain injured men. I enjoyed getting to know each resident and their daily routine including the things they enjoyed. I thought Denise, the manager was very personable and approachable to discuss job particulars etc. The workplace culture revolved around meeting the needs of the residents and staff did things with them that were fun & enjoyable including outings, games and providing meals.  I helped prepare meals in the evenings during this eight hour shift.

The hardest part of the job there, for me, was when unpredictable behavior occurred (one man would often grab a hot pot of coffee to drink it and needed to have it taken from his hand, arguments between the four residents) and assisting the residents re: their bathroom needs. 
The most enjoyable part of the position was getting to know the residents.

I worked as a full-time employee for Lifescape, though only on a temporary basis. I received a wage of $13.00/hr, which I'm told was less than I deserved for my level of education, but I was a temp-hire working for a non-profit, so I didn't complain. My hours were from 8:00am to 4:30pm, with a 30 minute lunch break pretty much whenever I chose. The hours were flexible though, so if I wanted I could clock out to go out to eat and clock back in later. The important thing is that I worked my full 40 hours each week, so I just had to make up any time I took on lunch beyond 30 minutes later. Vise versa, if I worked longer than 8 hours on one day, I could head out a little early on another day, so that was nice. I did have my own office, though it was rather small and right outside a rather noisy, drafty entrance, but for what it's worth, it was cozy. Almost all of the other staff were friendly and approachable, and the "individuals" even more so.

Working with individuals who have disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. Job duties include, but are not limited to: cooking, cleaning, administering medication, handling money and receipts, training new staff, and shopping. 
The company does good things for those with disabilities, but aren't that great to work for. They care about new hires, but not employees that they already have. The pay is decent, but for what you're doing, it's not enough. The benefits are pretty good, and they negotiate a great deal with the insurance companies. However, how long does okay pay and good benefits really keep employees around? 
The turn-over rate is horrible. They will hire anyone who can pass a drug test, even with no experience, and then throw them into a difficult place with no opportunity to find a better fit. 

The people are what you're there for, and if wasn't for how the company treats employees, I would've stayed for the individuals.

Turnover is high but that's also to be expected when working with this population. Many people don't have any understanding or patience for this job in the beginning. Once you overcome that hurdle at first, you'll start to love the kids. That's just about the only thing you'll love though. After working there for so long I can tell you that the only reason I stayed was because of the kids and finally I just couldn't take the management anymore and had to leave. You'll have more support from coworkers than management. But also everyone who works in this position is college/20's so expect to be surrounded by a dramatic/gossip work environment. 

This job is so rewarding because every day you go home with a good feeling because you helped someone do something that they may not be able to do themselves due to a disability.  It is healthcare and it is non-profit, so of course it does not pay millions, but with the competitive pay, the competitive benefits and most of all the rewarding feeling - it is well worth it.  I have loved my job here for over three years.  I will never leave.

My work is very stressful at time, it is a high pace working environment. I make sure that the individuals are taken care of with shower, medication, having a nutritional meal and that documentation is done every night that there needs/goals are met. I enjoy with working with all of my Co-works. Hardest part of my job is working evenings and taking my work home with me, sometimes I feel like I don't get a break. I enjoy working with people with disabilities the work is a lot but it is rewarding in so many different ways.

It is what you make it. I was a very upbeat person so going to work and having fun with your co-workers was a big part of the day.  Due to the stress of the job, you have to come happy and don't let drama get to you. You have to have tough skin or you won't survive. Management is strict, but they have to due to the clientele.  I learned a ton on slowing down when working with people with a disability.  The job itself is face-paced, but working slow and your client is needed.

Most days tend to run longer than my scheduled shift, and I often stay later than planned. Even with the longer hours, the job is still fun and something I genuinely enjoy. The work itself is engaging, and the atmosphere makes it easy to stay positive throughout the day. I feel comfortable in the workplace, and the people and environment make the extra time feel worthwhile rather than exhausting. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable place to work, and I look forward to being there even when the days run long.

Was a privilege to work with my last group very caring and supportive group of people  learned a great deal about human behavior, witnessed some incredible transformations was sad to leave my position to move  away to be with my husband. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Speech language pathologist 55 salaries reported	$47.67 per hour
Clinical psychologist 55 salaries reported	$51.84 per hour
Physical therapist 45 salaries reported	$45.12 per hour
Occupational therapist 25 salaries reported	$47.53 per hour
Direct support professional 26 salaries reported	$19.93 per hour

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