Youth Care Specialist

Position Overview:

To carry out therapeutic, nurturing, structured and positive programming with emotionally, psychiatrically and/or behaviorally challenged youth. The Youth Care Specialist shall use learned skills, professional knowledge and inter-personal skills to bring about positive changes. Employee will be an integral member of an interdisciplinary Team. The Youth Care Specialist is expected to attend Team Meetings, annual training, participate in supervision and carry themselves as role models and highly professional.

• Dedication and willingness to work alongside the Integrated Treatment Model (ITM)
• Supporting and carrying out the functions of the model to best serve the population
• Expected to have a nonjudgmental approach that focuses on skill building and basic principles of behavior (reinforcement, extinction, blocking and shaping)
• Required to function as part of a team, committing to modeling pro social behavior and building positive relationships with all residents
  

Job Specific Duties/Responsibilities: Rating

• Attends and actively participates in Team Meetings, individual supervision and Division meetings, as scheduled.
• Consistently supervises youth within established guidelines and expectations, daily (e.g.: eyes on, assigned staff, 15 minute bed checks, etc).
• Carries self consistently as a role model (e.g., respect for others, professional standard of dress, appropriate conflict resolution, etc), daily.
• Consistently is on time, punches in/out regularly and ready to carry out their shift.
• Completes mandated training and program specific trainings, as required.
• Completes daily documentation in a timely manner and in line with established guidelines and/or mandates (e.g.: Communication Log, Notes, Milk Sheets, etc).
• Completes comprehensive, grammatically correct progress notes and their timely monthly submission for youth, as assigned.
• Promotes and utilizes culturally sensitive care and treatment with youth, families and co-workers through on-going work toward the reduction of bias and the acceptance of differences (e.g.: gender, religion and sexual orientation).
• Promotes, teaches and holds youth accountable to appropriate socialization skills.
• Attends and actively participates in trainings, workshops, and other programs to enhance professional skills, as assigned.
• Attends and actively participates in trainings geared to develop intervention skills and knowledge of specialized populations.
• Integrates information from trainings, Team Meetings, policy and procedures into their daily work on a consistent basis.
• Actively supports and carries out all aspects of the Integrated Treatment Model (ITM) in line with trainings, Treatment Plans, Team decisions and individual supervision.
• Consistently provides positive feedback and support to youth, which includes Hawk Bill distribution, daily.
• Appropriate handling and reporting of all untoward incidents in accordance with agency policy, training, Statute 323 guidelines and other OCFS and ACS regulations.
• Utilizes and implements behavior management techniques as per Cornell TCI, CVOT, and agency policy & procedures.
• Consistently reviews and carries out Individual Crisis Management Plan tasks.
• Actively supports the educational collaboration with the school through support of educational process and contact with the school and tutors, as expected.
• Develops and supports a learning environment in the program that promotes academic achievement, completion of homework, actively developing language skills, study habits, regular reading time, and math skill development.
• Attends school with youth to support the development of appropriate school behaviors, as assigned.
• Assures youth's timely attendance and readiness for inter/intra-agency services (school, recreation, work, mental health, spiritual, substance abuse services, tutoring, etc.), as assigned.
• Accompanies, monitors and actively supports youth participation in Recreation and WAY Programs, as assigned.
• Carries out searches in accordance with OCFS/ACS approved policy and procedures, as needed.
• Provides documentation on searches within established policy and procedures, consistently.
• Carries out checks and activities to assure living environment is graffiti free.
• Actively and consistently supports the program daily living routines and rules in accordance with the established guidelines and best practices.
• Consistently monitors and documents inventory of youth's clothing and personal hygiene needs, as assigned.
• Carries out programs and activities of the Program Calendar that includes age appropriate cultural, educational, skill building and recreational activities, as scheduled.
• Is aware of and working toward mission of agency as well as agency and unit goals and objectives.
• Performs train duty or other transports of youth in an appropriate manner, as assigned.
• Carries out living skills assessments for youth 14+, monthly, as assigned.
• Carries out life skills development individually and through monthly workshops to build skill levels of youth, as assigned.
• Carries out Primary Counselor/Advocate responsibilities, as outlined in the Socio-therapy Manual, for assigned youth.
• Handles petty cash, receipts, etc. responsibly and in a timely manner.
• Actively participates in Fire Drills, as scheduled and appropriate.
• Utilizes relationship, training, and knowledge to promote healthy eating and self-care habits for all youth.
• Prepares meals in accordance with the established menu in a way that engages youth in eating healthy.
• Actively engages and monitors youth during meal times in line with the Socio-therapy Manual and best practices.
• Other duties, as assigned.
• Reporting Relationships:
• Youth Care Specialist Supervisor
  

Position Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED, required.
• Experience working with school aged youth in schools, residential treatment or related settings a plus.
• Paid experience working directly with youth, a plus

Training Requirements to Attain Position:

• Satisfactory completion - CVOT (Children's Village Orientation and Training).
  

Training/Other Requirements to Maintain Position:

1. Completion of mandated training in a satisfactory manner:

• HIV
• Health Issues
• TCI (every 6 months)

2. Satisfactory completion of additional assigned training to address performance issues.

3. Consistent attendance and participation in supervision, Team Meetings and in-service training.

4. Consistent demonstration of ability to be a positive role model for youth.

5. Meeting a 6-month Probationary Performance Evaluation or Performance Evaluation rating of 4 or better.

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

1. Ability to read, write and converse in English and/or Spanish.

2. Ability to work collaboratively with staff, residents, families, service providers and others.

3. Ability to remain calm and composed under stress.

4. Bending, lifting, grasping, fine hand/eye coordination, pushing/pulling, and/or prolonged sitting/standing.

5. Ability to physically carry out restraints, as necessary.

6. Ability to respond to telephones and other auditory stimulation.

7. Quantitative/mathematical ability (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, standard measurements).

8. Ability to organize.

9. Ability to evaluate/interpret information and make independent judgments/decisions.

Agency Wide Duties and Responsibilities:

List of major agency-wide job activities

1. Supports the mission, vision, and values of the Children's Village.

2. Complies willingly with all organizational policies and procedures.

3. Supports all functions that attain and maintain accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies.

4. Supports and facilitates positive interaction with others, including the service population, by exhibiting:

• Individual maturity
• Respect for others
• Respect for a multicultural workplace
• Sensitivity to the unique identities and experiences of others, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, language, culture, immigration status, socioeconomic status, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
• A team-centered approach
• Maintenance of confidential information
• An appreciation of a multicultural workplace

5.Communicates appropriate information to other departments in a timely and effective manner.

6.Adheres to all Agency and departmental Safety Procedures including reporting any unsafe practices, equipment and environment, and takes an active role in correcting the unsafe practice, equipment or environment through proper notification

7.Participates in appropriate professional development programs to attain and maintain competency.