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Youth Care Professional

Villa of Hope helps youth and families rebuild relationships, recover from trauma and renew Hope for their future.

JOB TITLE: Youth Care Professional

POSITION GRADE: 73 [ Salary Range: 15.50hr to 19hr commensurate with education and experience]

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: OMH Group Home

SUPERVISOR: Program Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Program Manager, the Youth Care Professional (YCP) works with other members of the residential treatment team to create a therapeutic, nurturing, structured, and protective environment that assists youth in developing life and social skills in a residential setting. The YCP uses learned skills, professional knowledge and interpersonal skills to bring about positive changes and ensure that the physical and emotional needs of youth are being met on a daily basis. The Youth Care Professional carries out all job responsibilities with fidelity and accountability to Villa of Hope’s Mission, Vision, Sanctuary Guiding Principles, and Strategic Plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

+ Exercises full compliance with Agency code of conduct, all Agency and Program policies and procedures and Federal and State laws and regulations

+ Maintains confidentiality & security for all client/staff related materials/records.

+ Exercises full compliance with the Justice Center’s Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs

+ Provides individual & group supervision; accounts for all youth in care at all times

+ Obtains/maintains Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification; utilizes TCI approved crisis prevention/intervention techniques utilizing; documents all incidents and participates in supervisory reviews with TCI Post Crisis Response

+ Supports that clients’ Individual Crisis Support Plans (ICSPs) are being used effectively

+ Supervises medications as prescribed, reports medical problems and follows medical directions

+ Upholds all rules and structure within the residence

+ Facilitates at least one fire drill per year

+ Provides a safe environment for youth and staff utilizing the Sanctuary model

+ Knowledge of company’s and specific departmental safety policies

+ Observes and promptly reports unsafe work conditions and/or an employee’s unsafe work habits to the Program Manager

+ Sets a good safety example for the department and the agency

+ Checks and reports repair and maintenance needs to maintain the physical condition of the group home/cottage

+ Completes all necessary notifications following all incidents and documents appropriately before the end of shift

+ Safely manages the environment and coordinates Villa staff, youth, families and representatives of community resources (police, fire, etc.) as needed

+ Complies with all program and agency policies/procedures

+ Attends required trainings, including on-going training and staff development as required by the Program and/or Agency

+ Develops nurturing relationships with each client to promote healthy growth and development

+ Actively supports and carries out Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports and Trauma Systems Therapy models in line with trainings, Treatment Plans, Team decisions and individual supervision

+ Supports youth in attending school and provides homework support as needed

+ Demonstrates, promotes and practices cultural competency towards clients, families and staff with respect and understanding achieved through training and Agency cultural activities

+ Utilizes relationships to help clients cope more effectively

+ Utilizes the Functional Behavioral Approach to address youth’s behavior by understanding the unmet need and implementing alternative options to support improved functioning

+ Understands and utilizes policies when purchasing clothing, food, and other supplies for the residence

+ Completes service delivery documentation within required timeframes in the ECR, and follow up with Program Manager & Clinician if any concerns arise

+ Maintains daily shift notes in the ECR for each youth

+ Maintains daily logs for each resident, general log and milk usage, charts meals served. (For campus only, Breakfast/Lunch Program)

+ Supports youth in the daily routine (program) of the residence

+ Implements treatment methods and directives of each individual client as prescribed in the Treatment Plan

+ Provides therapeutic consequences (limit setting in line with Agency policy and procedures) that is fair, consistent and recognizes the needs of the youth

+ Set behavioral limits for youth within the program & out in the community

+ Provide input to the ICSP’s of the youth

+ Assists youth in Independent Living Skills

+ Facilitates Community Meetings with the youth and staff

+ Prepares & assists the youth in meal preparations and/or serving in accordance with the established menu in a way that engages youth in eating healthy

+ Leads and participates in recreation and leisure time activities

+ Transports clients to home visits, community activities and medical appointments as needed

+ Collaborates with the team to create opportunities for families and natural supports to visit the Group Home to be part of the youth's programming

+ Attends, and participates in the treatment team process; writes assessments, assists in the development of treatment objectives and methods

+ Perform other similar duties requiring comparable skills utilizing the Sanctuary Model Guiding Principles and Seven Commitments

+ Participates in the cleaning/upkeep of the group home; reports repairs to Program Manager

OTHER RESPONSIBLITIES:

+ Upholds established policies and procedures and makes suggestions for improvement as needed.

+ Demonstrates, promotes, and practices cultural competency towards clients, families and staff with respect and understanding achieved through training and agency cultural activities.

+ Performs other responsibilities as designated by program leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

+ H.S Diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s Degree preferred

+ Previous experience working with adolescents preferred

+ Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed

SPECIAL SKILLS:

+ Valid NYS Driver’s license in good standing

+ CPR certification required for some programs and training will be provided

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The following lists physical demands an employee will perform on a regular basis: standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling and climbing.

Must be able to perform a variety of household tasks, climb stairs, move throughout the group home, work cooperatively in a team environment and quickly respond to emergencies.

This position requires successful completion of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training, which includes a written test and LSI demonstration. Staff must successfully complete all required TCI refreshers in order to maintain continued employment.

Additionally, this position further requires successful completion and maintenance of TCI Associate Level Certification either at time of, or within the first year employment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully complete Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training: the ability to drop repeatedly to knees, twist and turn, exert oneself physically at an intense level, and support another adult’s weight. Position also requires employee to transport clients utilizing an agency vehicle.

COMPTENCIES:

Leading Self

+ Character and Courage (Integrity and Trust)

Leading Others

+ Customer Focus

Leading the Organization

+ Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Equity