Direct Care Staff - Residential Facility (RTF)

Southwoodhospital; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare facility dedicated to children's mental health seeks compassionate Direct Care Workers. In this role, you will be instrumental in providing care for children and adolescents, enhancing their well-being through support, safety checks, and meaningful engagement. Ideal candidates will possess a passion for helping young patients, a strong sense of empathy, and relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Experience with children and adolescents in a behavioral health setting is preferred.
• Certification in CPR and de-escalation techniques required.
• Ability to demonstrate a positive and empathetic attitude.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care services and assist with daily living activities.
• Engage patients in therapeutic activities aligned with treatment goals.
• Document clinical information accurately and timely.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Patient Safety

Customer Service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in healthcare-related field

Job description

Southwood Children's Behavioral Healthcare in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive mental health services to children and adolescents. Our team of professionals is committed to creating a supportive and therapeutic environment for our young patients and their families.

We are seeking a dedicated and empathetic Direct Care Worker/Behavioral Health Associate to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with children and adolescents in a behavioral health setting. As a Behavioral Health Associate, you will play a crucial role in supporting the therapeutic and clinical needs of our patients.

Come join the direct care team at our residential treatment facility! We serve residents with developmental delays and on the autism spectrum at this site, so care experience with this patient population is preferred.

We are hiring for full-time, part-time, and PRN positions for all shifts:

1. 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
2. 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
3. 11:00 pm - 7:30 am

New pay scale approved in 2025 – starting at $20.00 / hour

To work with residents, candidates must be 21 years of age or older.

Responsibilities include providing personal care services to patients under the direction of clinical or nursing leadership, demonstrating a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude, and prioritizing patient safety.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to patient safety and provide excellent customer service.
• Ensure the well-being of patients and maintain a positive, supportive, and structured environment.
• Conduct safety checks and ensure supervision at 15-minute intervals or as per individualized guidelines.
• Document clinical information accurately and timely in patient records.
• Assist in providing a safe, secure, and comfortable environment.
• Interact with patients, observe behaviors, and communicate significant observations to nursing staff.
• Assist with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, hydration, and changing bed linens.
• Obtain and document vital signs, height, and weight as assigned.
• Facilitate educational and rehabilitative groups on social skills, coping skills, anger management, and independent living skills.
• Engage patients in activities aligned with treatment goals.
• Complete documentation and assist with incident follow-up and paperwork.
• Provide or coordinate transportation for patients as needed.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in a healthcare-related field preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six months or more experience working with the specific patient population preferred.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• CPR, de-escalation, and restraint certification required (training provided upon hire).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

While this job description aims to accurately reflect the role, management reserves the right to modify duties as circumstances change.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of characteristics protected by applicable laws.