The work happens in ordinary moments
Residential care is not only the response to a difficult moment. It is also the steady work around getting ready for school, preparing for an appointment, completing a household task and handing useful information to the next shift. A Residential Care Specialist needs to be present for those routines while remembering that each young person has an individualized plan and a life beyond the immediate task.
At Keystone Ridge, operated by Keystone Care Network, LLC, the role supports youth ages 12–17 in a three-bed, staff-secure, Level III residential treatment program. The program operates around the clock in Winston-Salem. Published Residential Care Specialist opportunities are full- and part-time, with day, evening, overnight and weekend shifts, at $28,000–$35,000 per year. Applicants should discuss their actual availability rather than assume every shift has the same rhythm.
Combine practical help with respectful engagement
Published duties include daily supervision and engagement, support with meals and hygiene, medication reminders, transportation and home upkeep. These responsibilities are not separate from person-centered care. How an adult gives a reminder, explains a change or supports a task matters alongside whether the task gets done. The resident's plan provides direction; staff should not replace it with personal preferences.
The role also includes trauma-informed emotional and behavioural support and de-escalation. A useful starting point is to stay attentive to the young person's communication, keep expectations clear and use the approaches covered in training and the plan. This is not a role for improvising clinical treatment. Questions about needs, changes or safety should be brought to the responsible supervisor and care team.
- Be clear about the next step without turning every reminder into a confrontation.
- Offer appropriate support while leaving room for the young person to participate.
- Know which concerns need a supervisor rather than trying to solve everything alone.
- Follow training and the individualized plan when responding to distress.
Residential Care Specialists combine daily practical support with calm engagement, accurate documentation and teamwork. Training and supervised readiness matter as much as willingness to help.
Documentation is part of the care
Shift notes and incident reports are named duties, not optional administrative extras. Staff implement and document individualized plans daily, so a useful note should help the next person understand what occurred and what support was provided. Clear writing distinguishes what was directly observed from an interpretation. Labels about a resident's character offer less useful information than a factual description of an interaction.
Team meetings and training are also part of the job. Bring questions that connect observations to care: whether a routine needs clarification, whether information is missing or whether an issue requires clinical review. A handoff should make unfinished responsibilities visible. Do not assume that because something was mentioned informally, the person taking over knows the necessary next action.
Understand the entry requirements
All direct-care applicants must be at least 21 and have a high-school diploma or GED. Requirements also include reliable transportation, a valid driver's licence and flexible shift availability. Screening includes a criminal background check, the NC Health Care Personnel Registry check and drug screening. Be accurate about your qualifications and availability so the interview can focus on a realistic match.
CPR/First Aid and NCI+ certification are required, with training provided on hire if not already held. Keystone provides paid training and certification. Holding a certificate does not remove the need to understand the program's plans, responsibilities and supervision. The hiring sequence includes required onboarding, supervised orientation shifts and documented readiness before unsupervised direct-care work.
Apply with a clear picture of the role
The application asks about roles of interest, work history, education, availability, certifications, references and why you want to work with youth. Use your statement to explain the responsibilities you are prepared to take seriously: consistency, respectful communication, practical support and reliable follow-through. Do not include private information about a young person you have supported to demonstrate experience.
Tony Graham coordinates recruiting and initial interviews; Carol Reid, the Program Director, makes the final hiring decision. A conditional offer is not yet a hire: screening gates and the final written decision remain part of the process. Keep sensitive identity documents for post-offer onboarding rather than attaching them to a public application. For career questions, contact ken@keystonecn.org or (855) 551-5397, ext. 804.
Bring us your questions.
For admissions, call (855) 551-5397 or email admin@keystonecn.org. For careers, contact ken@keystonecn.org.
