Direct Care Advocate- Emergency Bed Program

Samaritan Village, Inc.; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Samaritan Village, Inc. is seeking an Emergency Bed Program Direct Care Advocate to provide direct supervision, support, and trauma-informed care for adult survivors entering the Emergency Bed Program.

This role ensures a safe, structured shelter environment while guiding participants through crisis stabilization and early recovery stages. Overnights, weekends, holidays, and on-call coverage may be required based on program needs, with shifts including 7:00am-3:00pm, 3:00pm-11:00pm, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; advanced education in social work or related field a plus.
• Experience with substance abuse and exploitation issues preferred; familiarity with trauma-informed care.
• Administrative and computer proficiency including basic documentation and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered care to participants.
• Maintain safe, structured shelter environment and promote stabilization.
• Supervise daily routines and encourage independence.
• Assist with meals, hygiene supplies, clothing, and basic needs.
• Support safety plans and stabilization goals with Case Manager.
• Document observations and maintain confidentiality.
• Respond to crisis situations using de-escalation techniques.
• Transport participants to appointments and activities as needed.
• Complete shift reports, incident logs, and medication records.
• Coordinate with Case Manager and Program Leadership for continuity of care.

Skills

Self-starter

Discretion

Empathy

Problem-solving

Communication

Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Higher education in social work / human services / counseling

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Emergency Bed Program Direct Care Advocate provides direct supervision, support, and trauma-informed care to adult survivors entering Samaritan Village's Emergency Bed Program. This position is responsible for maintaining a safe, structured, and welcoming shelter environment while supporting participants through crisis stabilization, emergency response, and the early stages of recovery.

Overnights, weekends, holidays, and on-call coverage may be required based on program needs.

Shift hours are:

Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:00pm, 3:00pm-11:00pm, 11:00pm-7:00am. Saturday & Sunday: 7:00am-7:00pm, 7:00pm-7:00am

This position collaborates with the Case Manager and Program Leadership to support participant safety, stabilization, individualized service plans, and successful transition into longer-term services. The Direct Care Advocate for our emergency bed program must maintain the security and confidentiality required for this specialized program while responding professionally to crisis situations, documenting participant activities, and ensuring the safe operation of the Emergency Bed Program during assigned shifts.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide compassionate, trauma-informed, survivor-centered care to participants entering the Emergency Bed Program.
• Maintain a safe, structured, secure, and welcoming emergency shelter environment that promotes participant safety, dignity, and stabilization.
• Supervise participant activities and daily routines while encouraging independence, healthy boundaries, and personal responsibility.
• Assist participants with immediate needs, including meals, hygiene supplies, clothing, and other basic necessities.
• Reinforce individualized safety plans and support participant stabilization goals in collaboration with the Case Manager.
• Build trusting professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries with participants.
• Utilize trauma-informed de-escalation techniques to respond effectively to conflict, behavioral concerns, or crisis situations.
• Safely transport participants to medical appointments, behavioral health services, court appearances, employment, community resources, and other approved activities using Samaritan Village vehicles.
• Complete scheduled facility safety checks, room checks, and wellness checks while documenting observations according to agency procedures.
• Welcome and orient new participants entering the Emergency Bed Program and assist with the intake and transition process.
• Monitor the safety, security, and cleanliness of the facility and immediately report concerns related to the physical environment, security systems, or participant safety.
• Assist in coordinating participant appointments, transportation, enrichment activities, and life-skills programming.
• Support medication monitoring procedures, including documentation and agency-approved medication protocols.
• Complete timely, accurate, and objective documentation, including daily shift reports, incident reports, room checks, medication logs, transportation logs, and other required program documentation.
• Maintain flexibility to provide shift coverage and respond to emergencies as operational needs require.
• Communicate effectively with the Case Manager, Program Leadership, and other team members to ensure continuity of care and seamless shift transitions.
• Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, drills, and professional development activities.

Provide services in a culturally responsive, respectful, and inclusive manner without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

GOALS

• Uphold Samaritan Village, Inc's mission, vision, and core values. Model genuine Christ-like behavior
• Keep the safe house safe!
• Promote participant safety, dignity and empowerment through trauma-informed, survivor-centered care.
• Lead by example in modeling the Code of Conduct for Professional Ethics
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence, professionalism, self-awareness and sound judgement in all interactions.
• Build intentional, healthy connections while maintaining professional boundaries with participants and staff.
• Model resilience, adaptability and support through leadership during crisis situations and intervention
• Be driven by curiosity and passion for growth

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Self-starter shows initiative for effective work without direct supervision (administration and organization)
• Maintain discretion and strict confidentiality for sensitive or restricted information.
• Strength-based and compassionate tendencies
• Excellent problem-solving, objective critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence, professionalism, and sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Administrative and computer proficiency, including use of search engines, email, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• High school or GED; higher education in social work, human services, counseling, or related field a plus
• Minimum of one years’ experience working with issues relating to substance abuse and sexual exploitation
• Ability to lift, stoop, bend, reach, and move about freely
• Must pass criminal background checks
• Possess a valid driver’s license and proper insurance
• Maintain current First Aid / CPR certification
• Documentation of references (at least two professional and one personal) that attest to the person’s capability of performing the duties of the position and to the person’s suitability of working with or around vulnerable populations