Youth Care Professional

Job Description Job Description Position Summary: The Youth Care Professional (YCP) provides 24/7 direct care and supervision to youth in a trauma-informed residential treatment setting. YCPs ensure safety, model healthy relationships, and support daily routines while fostering an environment of empathy, consistency, and respect, while adhering to professional boundaries. You will be trained in crisis prevention and intervention, and you will work side-by-side with clinical, education, and medical teams. Why Join Everstand? Find joy and purpose in your career. Join an inspired team of professionals who are transforming the lives of youth and enriching communities, one family at a time. Everstand is not a federal or state agency. It is an independent, not-for-profit organization that serves over 1,000 children annually across 12 locations. You will join about 500 teammates across DC, MD, PA, and WV who empower youth and their families to flourish within their community. Essential Functions: Approaches concerns, challenges, and opportunities with empathy, attention to detail, active listening, and curiosity. Consistently models EVERSTAND’s core values: Safety, Empathy, Relationships, and Impact. Honor differences, acknowledge uniqueness, and amplify all voices. Models the use of welcoming and respectful language. Consistently uses inclusive language in communication and documentation. Direct Care & Supervision Provide 24/7 line-of-sight/sound and/or enhanced supervision based on clinical guidance. Ensure a physically and emotionally safe environment in line with trauma-informed practices. Assist youth with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including hygiene, grooming, and meals. Meal preparation is required according to the menu, as applicable. Provide a safe and calm treatment environment by implementing structured milieu routine, individualized care plans, age-appropriate expectations, and promoting positive behavior interventions that align with Everstand’s PBIS system. Therapeutic Engagement Utilize program-approved and youth-guided techniques to build trusting, youth-guided relationships in alignment with Everstand’s Theory of Change - the vehicle for recovery and building durable skills. Participate in and help facilitate individual and group programming that models and teaches (e.g., social skills, effective communication, conflict resolution, peer pressure resistance, and creative expression). Documentation & Communication Accurately complete required shift documentation, including logs, incident reports, medication records (MAR), and communication summaries. Ensure timely, confidential, and professional communication with team members and supervisors. Obtain and maintain user-level access to Everstand’s electronic health record system. Health & Safety Administer and document medication following program guidelines (with certification). Safely transport youth to medical, educational, and legal appointments using agency vehicles. Respond to behavioral escalations using trained therapeutic crisis intervention (TCI) methods, when necessary. Participate in hospital coverage and intake/discharge transportation as needed. Housekeeping & Environment Maintain the cleanliness and safety of the unit and ensure youth participation in upkeep in accordance with program protocols. Monitor for and report on maintenance needs or safety hazards through daily/weekly on-site inspections according to agency guidelines. Promote youth engagement throughout the day, conducting bedroom checks, searches, and supervision per policy every fifteen minutes while the youth are in their rooms. Compliance & Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality in handling sensitive youth information. Follow HIPAA, State regulations, and organizational policies regarding data handling and communication. Fulfill all mandated reporter responsibilities by promptly reporting any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation in accordance with federal, state, and organizational guidelines. Required Education and Experience: Level I – Youth Care Professional High School Diploma, GED, or AA required with a minimum of 1 year of employment experience in the child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents, or a similar setting. Level II – Youth Care Professional (Advanced) Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or a related human services field. Licenses/Certifications: Possess a valid driver’s license. Must pass background checks (CPS, fingerprinting), drug screening, TB screening, and physical work-readiness. Must obtain and maintain certification in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) or/and First Aid/CPR, and Medication Administration as required. Ability to obtain and maintain RCYCP certification -Maryland Only Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full-time, non-exempt position, typically 33–40 hours per week, with evening and weekend shifts based on program needs. Must be available to work holidays and during inclement weather as needed. This is an essential position requiring flexibility to support emergency and weather-related coverage. What does the benefits package look like? Generous Paid Time Off : Accrue three (3) weeks of vacation annually, plus two floating holidays and 10 paid company holidays each year—providing 30+ days of paid time off. Paid Leave: Paid sick leave and bereavement leave. Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with eligibility beginning on your first day of employment. FREE Employee Health Insurance : Everstand provides employee-only medical coverage at no cost through Allied Health. Retirement Savings: Retirement plan with an employer match of up to 3% . Tuition Reimbursement: Eligible after three months of employment, with reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for approved educational expenses. Additional Benefits: Access to a variety of voluntary and employer-sponsored benefit programs designed to support your financial, personal, and professional well-being. Travel Local travel for appointments or cross-site coverage may be required. Mileage reimbursement or agency vehicle provided for approved travel. This job description is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The employee's signature below affirms the employee’s understanding of the requirements, responsibilities, expectations, and essential functions of the position, and thus the general nature of the role. Employee signature below constitutes the employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position.