Residential Care Specialist - 1st Shift

Southeastern Integrated Care LLC•Siler City, NC

About The Position

The Residential Care Specialist provides direct care to children in a residential treatment program, creating a safe, therapeutic, home-like setting in a positive, consistent, and structured environment. The role provides mental health support and documentation based on each client’s service goals and plans, and supports clients’ treatment, development, daily living, and independent living skills. The specialist supervises clients, administers therapeutic treatment, plans and documents activities and contacts, and builds respectful, nurturing relationships with clients and their families. Medication administration is permitted after successful completion of probation, a supervisor’s recommendation, and medication training and testing, including direct observation by assigned staff. The role may include direct supervision of clients with sexualized behaviors. The position also involves maintaining the home and campus, preparing meals, supporting chores and laundry, transporting clients in agency vehicles, responding to incidents, and using trauma-informed crisis co-regulation strategies. Staff must remain awake during their shift and have flexibility in their schedule to accommodate the needs of the home.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or associate degree.
A valid North Carolina driver’s license, at least three years of driving with a driver’s license, and a clean driving record.
Ability to respond effectively and cope with an environment that can be extremely stressful on the mind and body.
Ability to read and interpret documents and write routine reports and correspondence.
Must pass a drug screening test and an extensive background check.

Nice To Haves

Preferably at least two years of population-specific experience working with children ages 12–17 with emotional difficulties.
A four-year degree in Human Services or a related field.

Responsibilities

Adhere to the agency’s philosophy, mission statement, policies, and procedures.
Administer therapeutic treatment to clients and provide mental health support aligned with their service goals and plans.
Plan, provide, and supervise daily activities that build self-esteem and appropriate peer interaction.
Directly supervise clients and document and communicate significant events and behaviors in process notes each shift.
Build safe, positive, and mutually respectful relationships with clients and their families, using reality therapy principles without punitive approaches.
Understand and respect the cultural diversity of clients and team members.
Intervene appropriately to help clients develop skills and confidence to address issues and problems.
Work collaboratively with other team members and teach and model healthy, safe relationships.
Administer medication after completing probation, receiving a supervisor’s recommendation, and passing medication training and testing, including direct observation.
Plan and document client visits and telephone calls under the guidance of supervisors and the Program Manager, and follow visitation and telephone schedules.
Address clients’ needs for special services with program leadership.
Attend and complete the agency’s training program in crisis prevention, intervention, and safety, as well as other required in-service training.
Read and interpret documents and write routine reports and correspondence.
Manage clients’ daily living requirements and actively participate in the daily milieu.
Teach and model independent living skills, including laundry and completion of daily chores.
Maintain client clothing requirements and document specific clothing needs.
Prepare meals or teach and assist clients with meal preparation, maintain grocery requirements according to program guidelines, and ensure areas of the home are adequately cleaned.
Submit maintenance requests as needed and oversee the cleanliness and order of campus and buildings.
Remain awake throughout the shift.
Perform other related duties as assigned and maintain schedule flexibility to meet the needs of the home.
Transport clients in agency vehicles for emergency transportation, medical appointments, and routine off-campus outings.
Facilitate developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed activities.
Report and respond to incidents according to policy, procedure, and circumstances.
Support effective crisis co-regulation strategies that minimize the use of physical restraints.