Direct Care Counselor

About the role

As a Direct Care Counselor at Walker, you'll work directly with children and youth who are navigating social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in a 24/7 environment. You'll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team that helps youth feel safe, connected, and ready to grow. As your career continues to grow in the human services field, this is a chance to build valuable experience while making a real impact. Under the guidance of the assigned unit supervisor, direct care counselors are responsible for providing a therapeutic milieu for clients within the CBAT Program. This includes close supervision of all youth, basic caretaking functions, supporting youth through a daily schedule of activities, and crisis management as needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform in a way that is aligned with the agency mission and core values (trauma informed, relationship based, family involved, developmentally focused, competence centered, ecologically oriented).
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support the emotional, behavioral, and educational development of youth.
• Implement treatment protocols established in youth’s treatment plans and individual support plans.
• Supervise youth at all times and plan and implement engaging social and recreational activities for each shift.
• Assist with daily living activities and help youth develop age-appropriate life skills.
• Respond to youths’ challenges with crisis intervention techniques consistent with Walker’s training.
• Participate actively in supervision and remain receptive to feedback and professional development.
• Maintain proper documentation of all care and treatment provided and incidents that occur, and complete oral and written reports including milieu summaries for discharges accurately and on time.
• Maintain residential spaces in accordance with licensing standards.
• Attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings, and treatment meetings as needed, to discuss youth’s progress.
• Collaborate with staff and supervisors across shifts and campus programs to ensure smooth operations and consistent treatment of youth.
• Participate in all required trainings and professional development opportunities as they arise.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree or higher preferred.
• Prior experience working with youth in a residential setting preferred.
• Successfully complete all background check suitability requirements.
• Have reliable transportation.
• Valid MA driver’s license preferred.
• Ability to pass criminal background check.

Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to successfully pass and apply Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.
• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid/CPR training.
• Must successfully complete and pass medication training.
• Strong interpersonal and communication