Direct Care Staff - Full-Time, Residential

Family Service Of Rhode Island•Providence, RI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

FSRI is seeking candidates who want to make a positive impact in the community. Direct Care Staff, also referred to as Milieu Counselors, provide direct care, guidance, support, and supervision to adolescent female residents ages 13 to 20 who are involved with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families and live in a residential setting. FSRI offers strengths-based, trauma-informed residential interventions to help adolescents build on their strengths, develop healthy relationships and coping skills, and move toward greater stability and independence. Programs include a short-term assessment and stabilization center and three semi-independent living programs supporting youth’s transition to adulthood and community living. Milieu Counselors work with clinical and residential teams to implement treatment plans, manage daily routines, and support residents’ individual goals. The role helps create a safe, structured, trauma-informed environment that promotes emotional, behavioral, social, and independent living skill development. Staff are responsible for implementing and maintaining Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) in the milieu setting. The position involves hands-on support throughout residents’ daily routines; facilitating groups and household responsibilities; supporting recreational, educational, and community activities; documenting services; transporting residents; distributing medications under agency procedures; and responding to emergencies or crises, including using passive physical restraint when necessary under the Handle with Care Behavior Management Model. Staff must follow agency policies, contractual requirements, and state regulations, and may provide coverage to other residential programs. FSRI is willing to consider candidates with some combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in a human services-related field, or significant residential/childcare experience, is preferred. Candidates must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including scheduled evenings and weekends. Bilingual/ASL skills receive additional compensation of 6% above base pay; multilingual skills receive 8% above base pay.

Requirements

Willingness and capability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as scheduled.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic issues.
Ability to implement appropriate child management techniques, which may include passive physical restraint.
Excellent communication skills.
Valid driver’s license.
Reliable transportation with at least three seats in addition to the driver’s seat, and proof of required automobile documentation.
Ability to travel to and from community and residential locations, including using walkways, stairs, and/or elevators.
Ability to use a computer and Electronic Medical Record to complete documentation.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
Ability to push or pull 10 pounds or more.
Ability to pick up 10 pounds or more.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to perform physical intervention if clients present a threat to themselves or others.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in a field related to Human Services, or significant residential/childcare experience; FSRI will consider candidates with some combination of education and experience.
Bilingual/ASL skills, compensated at 6% above base pay.
Multilingual skills, compensated at 8% above base pay.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care, guidance, support, and supervision to youth throughout daily routines.
Build positive, professional relationships with residents through consistency, trust, and respect.
Complete TST training and follow the TST treatment model, including moment-by-moment assessment, emotional regulation skills building, and phase-based treatment in the milieu.
Participate in ongoing training in Trauma Systems Therapy and other evidence-based practices.
Maintain consistency and structure by following the daily schedule and program rules, and promote a positive environment for residents and staff.
Facilitate daily groups, including activities related to personal hygiene, physical activity, budgeting, meal preparation, and community or independent living skills.
Complete household management tasks, including menu planning and preparation, housekeeping, grocery shopping, and managing sleeping arrangements.
Encourage residents’ participation in recreational and educational activities in the program and community.
Monitor residents’ completion of daily chores and use of the telephone according to residential rules.
Complete professional and administrative documentation in Credible, including shift notes, incident reports, and logs, according to agency standards and timelines.
Maintain professional relationships with families, social service providers, community tradespeople, neighbors, and volunteers involved in program operations and residents’ lives.
Transport residents to appointments and obtain appropriate documentation or information as needed.
Attend staff meetings, in-service training, workshops, and other required meetings.
Provide emergency or crisis intervention, including passive physical restraint when necessary, using the Handle with Care Behavior Management Model.
Model professional and ethical behavior and comply with contractual requirements and state regulatory manuals.
Provide coverage or emergency support to other residential programs as required.
Drive company vehicles to transport clients to and from events.
Distribute necessary medications in accordance with FSRI medication management policies and procedures.
Advocate for children and adolescents.
Perform other duties as assigned.