SUMMARY:

Residential Care Counselor – Position Summary

The Residential Care Counselor is responsible for ensuring the safety, well‑being, and therapeutic support of assigned children in a residential treatment setting. As a key member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, this role provides direct care, contributes to treatment planning, and implements therapeutic interventions under the direction of the Residential Care Supervisor.

Brown University Health employees are expected to model our core values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and to demonstrate our Success Factors: Instill Trust, Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate.

Key Responsibilities

Therapeutic Care & Treatment Planning

• Build therapeutic alliances with children and families beginning at admission.

• Complete an initial milieu assessment within 24 hours and develop an initial problem list and residential care plan.

• Review and update the care plan daily.

• Communicate treatment plans to Program staff and collaborate with multidisciplinary providers.

• Participate actively in DPCs, treatment team meetings, and shift reports.

• Support development and implementation of behavioral management plans and individualized programs.

Direct Child Care

• Assist with daily living skills and personal hygiene based on each child’s developmental level.

• Provide consistent, supportive therapeutic limits aligned with Hospital and Program standards.

• Supervise children during routines, activities, and Program events.

• Model healthy, therapeutic interpersonal interactions with children and families.

• Support and participate in recreation therapy activities.

Safety, Crisis Response & Documentation

• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment at all times.

• Respond to crises using the least restrictive, safe intervention.

• Document significant observations, interventions, and milieu activity in a timely and accurate manner.

• Maintain required levels of child observation as ordered.

• Report and help resolve actual or potential Program issues.

• Complete critical incident follow‑up, including timely reporting and documentation.

Professional Development & Team Contribution

• Seek and incorporate feedback through formal and informal supervision.

• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues through staff development opportunities.

• Attend required Program meetings and maintain all required certifications (Crisis Management, CPR, ERS, Safety & OSHA).

• Adhere consistently to all Hospital, Department, and Program policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Baccalaureate degree in a Human Services field preferred.

• Equivalent education/experience may be considered at the discretion of the Hiring Manager.

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to provide developmentally and culturally informed care across the lifespan.

• Understanding of child development, therapeutic boundaries, and behavioral interventions.

Experience

• 6 months to 1 year of direct child care experience with emotionally impaired youth.

• Current certifications in:

  • Bradley Hospital Crisis Management (or enrollment in course)

  • CPR

  • ERS, Safety & OSHA

Independent Action

• Works independently within established Program policies.

• Refers complex or unclear issues to the Residential Care Supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibility

• None.

Pay Range:

EEO Statement:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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