Direct Care Staff for Youth - PART Time, PRN

JOB TITLE: Direct Care Staff for Youth (PRN)
EMPLOYER: Advocates for Children
DEPARTMENT: Newman House
REPORTS TO: Newman House Program Manager

SUMMARY: Direct Care Staff (PRN) are responsible, under general supervision, for providing care to youth (age 14-21) residing in the group home. The Direct Care Staff (PRN) will deliver services and perform the duties required to maintain daily operations of a residential care program for runaway and homeless youth.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Effectively watch, listen, engage, and monitor client interaction.
• Orient new residents to the program by explaining daily routines, expectations, and resident rights.
• Ensure each resident is assigned a room with adequate bedding and hygiene supplies, complete clothing inventory, and ensure each child has an adequate supply of seasonal clothing.
• Provide direct supervision and know where residents are at all times. Conduct and document fifteen minute bed checks during sleeping hours.
• Maintain a therapeutic, safe, and clean environment for residents and staff, including housekeeping, preparing and serving meals in lieu of a cook, motivating and engaging youth in completing daily routines and chores.
• Give instructions to youth regarding desirable health and personal habits.
• Provide praise, direction, and discipline to improve social skills and healthy choices.
• Use agency-approved crisis intervention techniques.
• Plan and lead recreational activities and participate or instruct youth games.
• Provide individual and group support to residents.
• Transport youth to school, designated appointments, and activities.
• Complete daily log entries, progress notes, incident reports, and other documentation consistently, accurately, and legible.
• Follow agency training and protocol regarding medication storage, dispensing, and documentation.
• Handle crisis calls, walk-in crisis situations, referrals, and admissions as needed.
• Attend all staff meetings and regular supervision.
• Complete annual training requirements to meet all governing body requirements.
• Assure confidentiality of information related to clients, personnel, and other information of confidential nature.
• Interact with clients and team members, at appropriate times, in a friendly, service-oriented manner.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Advocate standards.
• Always comply with Advocates’ standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations.
• Maintain a friendly and warm demeanor at all times with both team members and clients.
• Demonstrates passion for the mission of Advocates for Children and a commitment to ensuring fairness and accessibility for all through active participation in related training and advocacy efforts.
• Demonstrate a commitment to PQI and attend meetings as required
• Other duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Not Applicable

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED required.
• Two years’ experience working with youth.
• Able to work nights and weekends
• Current CPR/First-Aid Certification (or completed within 30 days of hire).
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen.
• Basic Word Processing knowledge is preferred.

COMPETENCIES:

• Quality- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Initiative- Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• ·Problem Solving- Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Safety and Security- Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Teamwork- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Occasionally required to stand
• Occasionally required to walk
• Frequently required to sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 25 pounds / frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds / continually lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently required to drive a personal vehicle.