Youth Care Specialist - Respite Program

The primary role of the Youth Care Specialist II is to provide care and supervision to youth with high-level behavioral needs in the therapeutic respiteprogram, generate quality documentationand perform duties necessary for the overall safety and well-being of the youth under their care.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Associate’s degree in social services, human services or related fields of study and two (2) to four (4) years of child welfare experience preferred; or any combination of training, education and experience which would provide the required knowledge, abilities and skills.
• Experience working as a mental health technician, behavior technician or psychiatric aide, preferred
• Experience in a setting providing respite/short-term care services or therapeutic group care, preferred

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability and willingness to work with youth of all ages and all levels of behavioral and mental health stability
• Ability to work with youth whose mental health and behaviors can reflect that of trauma related experiences
• Willingness to actively interact with youth who have intensive behavioral difficulties
• Must have strong communication skills including accurate and detailed writing abilities for case notes to meet all Medicaid and billing requirements
• Ability to work effectively with co-workers in a stressful atmosphere
• Ability to set appropriate limits and boundaries with youth
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential issues
• Must have the energy and flexibility to meet the changing needs of children/youth
• Ability to follow directions from direct supervisor and other leadership
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and make sound decisions in stressful atmosphere
• Ability to observe individuals and report accurate findings
• Ability to handle emergencies and follow appropriate protocols
• Ability to make quick, appropriate decision in crisis situations
• Ability to intervene to protect a youth from self-harm or harm to others
• Ability to build trusting relationships with youth
• Ability to understand, retain and effectively utilize training obtained
• Must have sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Florida Driver's License
• The Youth Care Specialist II is responsible for completion of required trainings and certifications within the first 90 days of employment and as required by regulation thereafter

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for constant visual and audial supervision of youth in the therapeutic Respite Program at all times while on shift
• Carries out agency policies and procedures in the cottage and on-campus as dictated by the Policy and Procedures Manual and assigned supervisor
• Follows supervisor directives to where they are needed in the Residential Care programs
• Creates an atmosphere conducive to growth and development of the youth of their cottage as individuals and as a cottage group, as well as contributing to a positive milieu in the cottage that includes all youth and staff
• Assists the youth in their cottage and in their adjustment to group living without weakening their ties to their natural families or significant others in the youth's life
• Introduces and familiarizes youth with various campus departments and personnel as it relates to holistic approach to treatment. Encourages residents to consistently attend and positively participate in activities provided by chapel, educational and recreational staff based on the youth’s service plan and ability to participate in activities on that day
• Maintains the cottage, its furnishings, and its grounds
• Plans and provides for the transportation for youth in their cottage to various functions and activities that may include, but not limited to, special earned outings, school functions, medical appointments, etc. This requires appropriate notification and documentation
• Provides for the nutritional needs of the youth in their cottage including the preparation of meals according to approved commissary menu, along with implementation and all necessary documents with the menus and commissary
• Provides for the health and clothing needs of each resident in the cottage. This includes over the counter medications, proper documentation (as assigned) of medication. Clothing needs are to be communicated through the clothing room and purchase order if required
• Conducts oneself as a “role model” for youth; establish and maintain professional boundaries with youth in the cottage; provide appropriate direction for youth in their daily routines; give youth positive reinforcement as appropriate
• Attends and actively participates in staff meetings and/or training as required
• Maintains the order, safety, cleanliness of the facility, housekeeping and adequate supervision of youth at all times
• Responsible for documentation according to agency policy, i.e. daily progress notes, incident reports, e-mail communication and is familiar with the computer resources in the staff office
• Efficiently administers and documents medications as prescribed to youth in cottages
• Implements the behavioral program that includes, but not limited to providing interventions based on individualized treatment & behavioral plans, recording behaviors through point sheets, communication logs, and providing reinforces at appropriate times
• Performs other duties and responsibilities, as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, write and speak the English language. Fluency in Spanish is helpful.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to use program guidelines as a foundation in decision making.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and will include, but will not be limited to computers, printers, telephones, and normal communication. Noise may also include acting out behavior in children.

ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE

Vacations, sick leave, holidays, emergency leave, termination of employment, etc., shall be in accordance with published Personnel Policies of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home and procedures specified by Program Manager.

Other policies concerning full time employees are as set forth in the current policies and procedures manual.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Florida United Methodist Children's Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information or sexual orientation/gender identity, place of national origin and other categories protected by law are not factors in employment, promotion, compensation or working conditions.