direct support professional

residential team leader

licensed practical nurse

residential manager

residential specialist

Skills of Central PA

This is not rocket science work. You can ask to be placed with lower or higher functioning people. Know that the people you are assigned to are in a home because they have to be - they do not want to assimilate to everyday life and will resist it. My lightbulb moment was when I learned that they just want to be taken care of and not "gain independence" no matter how often they talk about it. I had some fists swung at me by clients, a lot of yelling, and a lot of clients boasting about how they'll lie to the managers and get me fired. Even if the managers know the client is lying the managers are still in a tough spot at these moments and will probably "suspend" you for a week and then transfer you to another house. That's a tough pill to swallow when you were a stand up person at the first house, but that's the way it goes. Unfortunately there's no recourse for when a staff member doesn't show up to relieve you from your shift, so staff will often not show up until 30 minutes-2 hours after your shift was planned to end, and that same staff member will have no consequences because the company can't keep people. The company will try to make you work night shifts in addition to your day shifts, unless you stand your ground and say no. If you don't every person that I knew that worked both day and night shifts burned out within a year. Once you have 2 years under your belt you're already an experienced assistant because people quit all the time. Sometimes the clients with disabilities are so impossible and the management can't do anything about these impossible people (that's why they're in care in the first place) and the employee can't take it any more. Advice is to just see the job for what it is. Don't try to change the clients or make this a more dramatic position than it is. It can be great, and it can be annoying. Use it as a springboard to find a real job. Know that the company will try to "promote" you to "team manager" for like a dollar more an hour, with mandatory night shifts and being the on-call person. This is untenable and every team manager quits because their health goes down the drain. The workers at skills are a lot like the clients, most just want to be left alone, and some really want to start trouble. You'll know which is which immediately and can just report any lies or aggression from other colleagues to management just like you would a colleague to cover your butt. This poor company has such low expectations for its workers that if you just show up on time, clean up a little, and do the tiny amount of paperwork, you look like a saint.  It's very manageable work if you don't take the bait and accept "team manager" or working both day and night shifts. If you want overtime, this is available because other houses will have you staff for them. Your first impression with the clients is everything - be a shining superstar the first two weeks, and then you can start lessening the extra-ness and be yourself in increments. But if you don't act excited to see the clients at the get-go, they're likely to not take to you and sow seeds of trouble (and a future suspension for you). 

As a Team Leader, that means I lead a house of DSPs, I absolutely adore my fellow staff and my individuals I care for. When it comes to upper management however, that's where it goes downhill. I have seen far too many times where staff report someone for doing something inappropriate (not illegal) yet the office staff sweep it under the rug because they don't want to replace someone yet they'll turn around and ostracize good and reliable staff for no reason then wonder why people keep quitting or refusing to show up for work. My county had about half the nurses quit in just one week after they announced a forced schedule change that many of us disagreed with. They claim they'll help out but they won't and cannot. After all, there's only so many able office staff than can actually work and there are too many open positions for them to assist all of those. That's why so many nurses quit, they are mandated to be able to physically assist in houses so, when times get tough, they are the first ones called. The office staff? They could care less.
Listen. I love my job, my fellow staff, and my individuals and I would do anything for any of them. Heck, I literally worked doubles every day for just under a month because one of my staff suffered a major injury and I know they would help me out if the roles were reversed. That said, this office is the worst part with Skills. They might claim that people complain about scheduling or some other nonsense but that's just them avoiding the bigger problem. They'll baby bad staff then go nuts on good staff for nonsensical reasons then make excuses about it. Best analogy is that the office expects us to act like robots that you can simply issue commands into and we'll respond "beep boop yes master" and go about our day.
My job is to ensure my individuals are leading fulfilling lives and to do that, that means I need to keep both them, and my staff happy. The office loves to purposely interfere with that then wonder why people get mad. I've had a staff who has requested numerous times to not work at a specific house due to his mental anguish but they ignored him until he filed a report with HR. The office then proceeded to act dumb and pretend like they never complained at all.
I still recommend this place if you love working in this field and the individuals can be incredibly charming. If you can ignore the office, then you're gonna love it here but I have one solid piece of advice for you.
GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. EVERYTHING. Like every job, there are bad people in positions of power who take advantage of people not knowing better and making staff feel like they don't have a choice which is incorrect. Some TLs and managers have tried to forbid people from calling off which we cannot do. So get everything in writing. Someone asks you to stay late? Ask them to text you that or email that to you? They refuse? Say you're not doing it until they message you. 
I hope someone up high reads this and takes this to heart. You guys need to learn to actually communicate with your current staff instead of ignoring them. I've actually received an email from corporate basically stating that they're ignoring a current staff's concerns in favor of staff who's positions aren't even open for interview yet. That's them basically telling us that we're replaceable. If so, have fun replacing an entire house (or houses) of staff in a single swoop. It's gonna be glorious to see. I'll bring the popcorn.

I was at Skills for 1 year and at first loved my job, but management never came to our site and did not listen to staff complaints or concerns. Staff would talk about the participants behind closed doors which strictly broke the ethics of confidentiality. When staff at another site was short handed I was often pulled from my job and my paperwork to do someone else's work who was behind. Then I ended up getting reprimanded for my paperwork not being done on time.  It was a slap in the face when it came to salary. With a BSW and numerous years of experience it was pathetic what they paid. My co worker and I went above and beyond our job description without any gradification or a simple thank you. When I found out Skills did not give raises or bonuses I was shocked. In my 15 years of being a social worker I have never worked at a company that did not give some sort of a raise in pay.
I felt I was working for free while it was made known that supervisors and other workers in different positions somehow got raises. Im not the type of person to suck up and kiss anyones behind to get special treatment. If you can't give raises to all employees don't try to sneak and give to others because it won't be kept a secret very long. People talk and tell their business to whom ever. So beware of who and what you reveal about your personal or professional life too because it will be told. Be careful with who you think are your "friends". I saw a lot of back stabbing during my year at Skills. Overall my decision to leave was based on poor management, lack of trust and respect from others, the low pay and the total lack of respect from supervisors who thought they knew it all but when it came down to it my co worker and I had more experience and knew more about our jobs than they did. They never took the time to visit or even meet the participants who we worked with. They knew them by name only and that is sad in my eyes.  Today I still think of my participants often and wonder how they are doing because they were more than just a person with a mental illness to me they were a friend.  I had compassion and empathy for each and every participant I worked with and I know many of my participants left the program once I left. My co worker and I are still in contact with each other and I support her in her decision to continue working at Skills.

DSP's work with intellectually disabled persons, usually in a group home setting. The job can include helping with personal care, administering medication, transporting to appointments and activities, and supporting day-to-day tasks. The job will always involve lots of tedious and redundant bureaucracy. You may have clients across the spectrum in terms of functional level and behavior. 

A select few people find that type of work fulfilling enough to endure the hefty sacrifices that this industry requires. If you are among that select few, Skills is typical of the industry: no better or worse than most of its competitors. Just apply to whichever agency is paying the most at a given time. You'll find similar conditions at all of them.
 
To anyone else, I'd avoid the DSP role like the plague. No matter what they say in the job posting, they expect you to have 24/7/365 availability. Your schedule can change an any time and without notice. Work/ life balance doesn't exist in this industry. You may work 70 hours a week, and as many as sixteen hours a day. You will work weekends. You will work holidays. You will work, and work, and work.

If you love to work, have no family or friends, and are completely devoid of other priorities, this job is great because you'll work all the time. For normal people who want to have a life, don't bother.

Conditions can vary from program to program, but the industry has high turnover  and is perpetually short staffed. Everyone works a lot of overtime, and that is unlikely to change.

For the sake of full disclosure, I'd self-identify in the disgruntled former employee category. The job was a poor fit, and I hated it from day one. That being said, I've tried to be honest and balanced in my review. 

Only apply here if you love this type of work, or if you are desperate. If you can pass a background check, and don't sound like a sociopath in the interview, you are likely to be hired even with no experience. However, the hiring process can take well over a month, so I'd go elsewhere if you need a paycheck quickly.

I have enjoyed every minute of working at Skills, less a few stressful times but that is with unexpected situations.  I have loved working and having relationships with the "Top of the Line" CEO's down the ladder including my co-workers and the people I have worked for!! I have never been bored!  Wages:  this company has done everything to bring their pay scale up and has rewarded us with bonuses and good pay rates.  They have given to us great benefits.  Yes, certain jobs do take up a lot more time, if you are patient there is a light at the end of the tunnel!  If it is too much you need to move on.  I have never seen any bias towards anyone.  You are what you make it and how it lets you roll!  It is the kind of person you are...If you wear your heart on your sleeve then you are the right person for the job, if not, you need to find your right place.  For 23 years I have worked in 3 departments and have enjoyed it immensely and it is because of the people I worked for!! Not the management but the people!! I have been recognized by my managers, CEO, Vice Presidents and other co-workers and the wonderful families and folks I have met along my journey..Right now there is a shortage of Residential workers all over, if that is your complaint, but you can get the overtime.  Someday you may not get the overtime then you will miss the money you are getting right now.  So, you weigh it yourself!  This company has been doing the best that it can and with our CEO, who recognizes every up and down in the company, you are not alone but recognize you have someone who is working for you for the betterment! And keep doing the great job with the people who have hired you to work with them! Work together and it makes it work better!

When I started working for Skills, I would have never expected that I would still be here over 10 years later. I didn't previously have any experience working in this field or with people with disabilities. In a decade of providing support, I have seen and learned so many things. I have made incredible relationships and have meant so much to the people I've supported. I've been a part of amazing successes, seen the people I've supported grow and exceed; find jobs, learn to dance, get married, learn to write, find their voice. I have supported people in difficult times; loss of loved ones, poor health, difficulty communicating, and just bad days. All of it has been amazing and not what I would have expected or even looked for in a job. I have worked in multiple programs and in multiple positions over the years and I have experienced difficult coworkers and stressful situations, but as a whole, I have always found the people and management here as caring and willing to honestly work with me. I have raised kids and have been treated fairly with respect to balancing my home life with my work life. Working with people is hard and working with people that have challenging behaviors and/or medical needs can be even harder. This field is not for everyone; I'd would never have expected that it was for me. But, here I am, over 10 years later. Many others have come and gone, but so very many coworkers and supervisors that I've known since starting here are still here. There are dozens of people who have been here for 10, 20, 30 years. I've worked for a lot of places and in a wide variety of jobs; every job has it's hard days, and every place has its difficult coworkers. Ultimately, a lot of what happens is a result of ourselves. For me, Skills has been by far the most rewarding and enjoyable place I've ever worked.

Skills has worked hard in the past couple of years to increase wages, to make them comparable with other agencies in the area.  I think they have done a good job with that.  If you are an hourly worker, there is usually overtime to be picked up.  The benefits are good, with PTO that includes 9 holidays, 7 sick days, 4 personal days, and 5 vacation days in the first year.  I am currently earning 25 vacation days a year in addition to the other days.  Health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance are partially covered by the agency for full-timers.

Like most jobs, your experience is heavily influenced by your direct supervisor and your coworkers.  I think this is why there is so much variation in the reviews here.  Some supervisors are better than others, some programs are run better than others.

 The job is demanding emotionally.  It can be hard.  One of my most difficult experiences was holding the hand of someone when she was taken off of life support and passed on.  You will be on the front lines.

 Another difficult part of the job is keeping up with, and following, state regulations.  There is a lot of change happening now that is dictated at the state level.  It is creating stress because it seems we are not getting hard answers and everything is in the process of changing.  I believe every agency in PA is dealing with this.

This job and field is meant for single people who have no outside life. You will work when they say and even on your days off are expected to go in for trainings and meetings that happen more often than not. The absolute worse position is a Team Leader, they will work you to death. You will run the house, do all the paperwork, manage staff, go to meetings, work direct care, work 16hr shifts and more and than be expected to stay and go to a meeting or training, be on call 24-7 for your house than be on a rotating on-call schedule on weekends for houses you aren't trained on. Don't assume your day off is to be enjoyed cause to them if they need you than you drop what your doing and answer to them. Team Leaders walk around exhausted all the time from being overworked but yet are expected to pass meds and take care of individuals when they haven't had sleep. Don't  believe the hype with this line of work about feeling good cause your taking care of people and helping individuals. That is a very small percentage of what this field is really about and that happiness will end after working a 42hr weekend. The pay is definitely not worth all the stress and time spent away from home. Plus you also answer to state when u say or do something that they feel goes against the clients rights which can be basically anything depending how it's taken given the mood they are in.

I have been working for the company for over 10 years and find my job very rewarding and fulfilling. I never worked in this field prior and never would have thought that I would be here still. I would not change my journey for anything and am grateful that I took the chance to try something new. The people we support will grow to become your family members. When you see people supported making small steps towards progress, you will feel warm hearted and proud. The coworkers I work alongside are awesome and work together as teams and are always helping one another out. I feel like with any issues, I am comfortable and confident to go to upper management. They listen, are understanding, and will tell you their opinion respectfully, regardless if it is not what you want to hear. We are encouraged to have fun in the workplace and think outside of the box to make the lives of those we support more purposeful and meaningful. As with all companies, there are tough days at times and some downfalls of course! The toughest part of my job is that after meeting and getting close to people we support, you will witness rough times (surgeries, life altering conditions, beginnings of dementia, aging, deaths etc.). The best part though is being available and able to be there to hold their hands along the way. I am hoping to enjoy more years to come at this company and encourage you to give it the same chance I did. You will not regret it.

Skills was a decent job prior to the pandemic. Pay was comparable (although low) compared to other agencies. PTO was decent. Health insurance was excellent. Consumers were incredible and a joy to work with. However, the way that management treated employees during the pandemic was unacceptable. Hazard pay was sporadic and inadequate. Managers and admin were allowed to work from home safely while forcing lower level employees to be put at risk daily with scarce PPE despite the ability to work from home in many cases. During MANDATED telework, employees were forced to meet in person and were pushed to do very risky things that were never discussed in writing, probably because of the risk they posed to workers AND vulnerable community members. Management was not sensitive to concerns and was incredibly insensitive at times considering the amount of death, stress, and illness employees faced during the pandemic. As a non-profit that exists to serve the community, their response to covid was shameful and dangerous. I would highly recommend against working for them if it is important to you to be part of an agency that reflects its own stated values. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 50 salaries reported	$18.82 per hour
Residential team leader 34 salaries reported	$22.55 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 22 salaries reported	$28.92 per hour
Residential manager 17 salaries reported	$61,853 per year
Residential specialist 12 salaries reported	$25.40 per hour

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