Youth Care Worker

Job Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in human services (Strongly Preferred)
• A high school diploma or GED and 6 months experience working directly with children
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of adolescent behaviors and appropriate boundaries with clients
• A good driving record with a valid driver’s license
• Pass a criminal background check

Position Responsibilities

• Provides adequate supervision of youth in his/her care and always knows their whereabouts
• Completes wellness/mental health checks as needed to provide appropriate supervision
• Prepares for shift by planning for activities that meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, and/or social needs of all youth in the program
• Makes appropriate behavior and attitude models with and for youth and co-workers
• Controls personal feelings in front of youth
• Fulfills Medication Policy, including administration, documentation on MAR, Medical FYI's and healthcare appointments
• Is sensitive to youth history and needs
• Uses appropriate tone of voice, speaks respectfully, and consistently treats others fairly
• Mets emotional needs of youth: provides safe environment to share emotional needs/concerns, offers individual attention, listens without judgment
• Mets physical needs of youth: contacts physicians when needed, follows all medical plans outlined in MAR, relays health concerns to necessary personnel and schedules appointments
• Builds relationship with youth in care, maintains relationships even when redirecting behaviors
• Is trauma-informed and knowledgeable about common mental health diagnoses of residents
• Continually seeks skill improvement and training materials relevant to job duties
• Teaches youth basic life skills such as good personal hygiene, laundry, and cleanliness
• Ensures cottage chores are completed daily by youth, teaches and models necessary skills in this area and assists when necessary
• Personally helps clean the cottage when needed in order to maintain a clean living environment for the youth (including but not limited to dishes, trash, floors, and bathrooms)
• Mets twice a month with primary to review goals and objectives
• Handles crisis situations and interventions appropriately, including following procedures for Serious Incident Reporting
• Fulfills policy regarding notification of guardians or emergency on-call caseworkers when needed (all notifications within 24 hours)
• Attends and actively participates in supervision, program meetings, treatment teams, and youth staffing as needed
• Observes professional boundaries with youth and co-workers
• Reads, understands, and implements licensure standards and HTFS policy
• Participates in change of duty at each shift change and completes all items on checklist, ensuring proper documentation and notification have been made
• Is dependable and performs duties without requiring prompting
• Documentation is timely, professional, thorough, complete, and provides adequate detail
• Completes all required trainings on time
• Presents to shift on time, well-groomed, and in accordance with HTFS dress code
• Promotes and contributes to a supportive team atmosphere
• Prepares for and facilitates daily cottage groups
• Complies with all applicable state and agency policies and regulations
• Ensures all Serious Incident Reports from the shift have been completed
• Promotes a “see it, own it, and solve it” environment
• Performs other duties as assigned