Direct Care Counselor I

🌅 Sunrise Children’s Services

📍 Woodlawn Center – Danville, KY

👩‍⚕️ Job Title: Direct Care Counselor I

Division: Residential Services
Reports To: Lead Direct Care Counselor
Status: Non-exempt

🎯 Primary Role

Provide direct care, supervision, and support to youth in a therapeutic residential setting while following agency policies, licensing standards, and accreditation requirements. Help create a safe, structured, trauma-informed environment where youth can grow and succeed.

🧩 Key Responsibilities

👦 Youth Care & Support

• Provide daily direct supervision and care to clients
• Help implement each client’s treatment plan
• Maintain a therapeutic and supportive environment
• Serve as a positive role model for youth

🩺 Health & Safety

• Support medication administration and healthcare routines (as directed by program nurse)
• Ensure youth needs are met:
  • 👕 Clothing
  • 🍎 Nutrition
  • 🧼 Hygiene
  • 😴 Rest
  • ⚽ Recreation
• Identify and reduce environmental risks
• Maintain a clean, safe, and secure facility

📋 Documentation & Compliance

• Complete required reports and documentation
• Maintain HIPAA confidentiality
• Follow agency policies and licensing standards

🧠 Behavioral & Trauma-Informed Support

• Observe and respond appropriately to client behavior
• Use trauma-informed care principles
• Participate as part of the treatment team

🚐 Additional Duties

• Transport youth as needed
• Participate in professional development 📚
• Perform other assigned responsibilities

✅ Qualifications

🎓 Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required

🧑‍🏫 Experience

• 1–2 years of child care experience preferred

💬 Skills

• Strong communication with youth, coworkers, and the public
• Understanding of child & adolescent development
• Ability to follow policies and make sound decisions in urgent situations
• Creativity in supporting youth programming 🎨

🚗 Other Requirements

• Valid ability to travel and drive statewide
• Ability to physically restrain youth (up to age 19) when necessary
• Ability to respond independently during emergencies

🏃 Physical Requirements

Role regularly involves:

• Standing and walking
• Talking and listening
• Sitting and using hands
• Reaching and assisting youth physically when needed

If you’d like, I can also turn this into a résumé-ready description (great for applications) or a short version for job postings/social media recruiting 📢.