Behavioral Youth Caregiver - Overnight

JOB SUMMARY: Behavioral Youth Caregivers provide direct care, supervision, support, and structure of the children/youth living in the cottages for a 12 bed program located at the Hillsborough county Lake Magdalene Program.  The program is designed to provide a no eject/no reject environment where youth with challenging behaviors are placed until a longer term placement is arranged.  Youth Caregivers assist in guiding youth through their treatment program, while providing for the health, and security of youth in the residential program.  The position will involve transportation of children in an approved agency vehicle. The position will involve transportation of children in an approved agency vehicle.  Must be available to work overnights on weekends.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Works within the framework of the philosophy, function and personnel practices of The Children's Home, Inc.  (Developing the child, the family and the community).
2. Provides or arranges program required services in a manner that is sensitive to age, culture, religion, dietary needs, native language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other important individual needs of each child/youth. Youth Caregivers plan and implement recreational activities on a daily basis that are developmentally and culturally appropriate for children up to 17 years of age. Provides milieu services to teach youth, goal setting, problem resolution, educational activities, social skills development, employability skills, anger management, crisis management, group, independent living skills, life space interviews, home visit evaluation and one to one supervision.  Teach, coach, supervise youth in activities of daily living including morning, bedtime, and overnight procedures, hygiene and cleanliness, housekeeping, meals, recreational activities, academics, and activities on and off campus. Works collaboratively with the Supervisor(s), Team Leader(s), Therapist(s) and Program Manager, and youth in the milieu. Assist the Therapist(s) in the implementation of a Service Plan for assigned youth, to promote skill development. Responsible for working within the established cottage program, inclusive of routines and adhering to a consistent Daily Living Program.  Role model expectations by assisting youth with performing daily routines/ chores and thorough up keep of living quarters (rooms) and the milieu.  Provides interactive supervision and monitoring of youth at all times to insure the best care, welfare, safety, health, and security. Establish a positive and productive relationship with residents within the framework of the Caregiver Model.
3. Perform and document environmental rounds at least every 15 minutes or more frequently as needed; inclusive of all youth and both hallways in order to provide accountability and safety for youth.  Report and document all abnormal or suspicious situations via the information report. Maintains documentation within guidelines for information reports, critical incidents reports, and daily shift accountability, medical administration records, and communication.
4. Responsible for meeting the physical needs of cottage youth, fostering healthy hygiene and good living habits.  Responsible for ensuring that youth are adequately dressed for the environmental conditions. Prepare food in accordance with established menu, and serve food to youth as scheduled, and encourage opportunities for staff and youth to engage in family style dining, mentoring around table etiquette and appropriate skill development.  Perform the required documentation via the meal count accountability log.

1. Follow CHI policy guidelines for financial transactions of allowances, clothing and supply purchases as assigned.
2. Attends and actively participates in service plan reviews as needed.  Assist in guiding youth to having success with their cottage goals and related plans.  Is accountable for supervising and monitoring youth to insure the safety, health, and security of those youth.
3. Follows CHI and professional standards regarding mandated reporting laws.  Follows CHI policy and procedures for reporting critical incidents and runaways. Demonstrate the ability to manage the behavior of youth therapeutically, and via the Service plan.  Responsible for operating within program guidelines with respect to discipline, Behavior Management, verbal de-escalation techniques and non-violent physical crisis intervention techniques.  Demonstrates knowledge and practice of agency policy and procedures for restraint- NAPPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Assist in the coordination of individual activities and cottage group activities (i.e., ensuring that the van log request form is completed and turned in timely fashion) and be responsible for making appropriate transportation arrangements for youth, too and from said activities.

1. Communicate all scheduled cottage plans, departures / returns to campus to the supervisor or team lead prior to leaving the campus and immediately upon return.  Dispense and document all medications given to youth, and medication deficiencies in accord with established agency procedures.  Coordinate with medical personnel to ensure the physical/ health needs of the child. Attends and participates in weekly cottage team meetings, and may be required to assist in recording meeting minutes in accord with established format. Foster and maintain a positive and productive relationship with all youth and the cottage team. Maintains an effective working relationship with team members, school personnel and case manager, and clinicians. Works collaboratively with school personnel, sponsor groups and volunteers.
2. Adhere to agency policy and procedures around confidentiality and use of office space and equipment; adhere to strategic cottage plan for maintaining security and confidentiality of all office space, equipment and documentation.
3. Provides transportation in agency vehicles in accordance with agency policy and procedure. Abides by all Florida state highway and local traffic laws.  Demonstrate consistency and proficiency in the regular utilization of agency vehicle log as required by policy and procedures. Attend specialized training (40 hours annually) and staff/treatment team meetings as scheduled.
4. Performs other duties as assigned.

***THESE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF ALL DUTIES PERFORMED.  EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM OTHER JOB RELATED MARGINAL DUTIES AS REQUIRED***

Agency Criteria:

Adheres to agency and departmental policy and procedures.

Demonstrate a willingness to cooperate with co-workers, supervisors, clients and others.  Acknowledges the value of each team member’s contributions.  Contribute to a positive working environment.

Complies with time and attendance standards and is conscientious with respect to the impact of tardiness and absence has on others.

Attend, prepares and actively participate in all mandatory agency and community based training’s, and share materials with co-workers in the milieu.

Demonstrates commitment to the mission of The Children’s Home through action and behavior.  Performs within the treatment philosophy of the Children’s Home Inc.

Adheres to professional and ethical standards specific to the individual’s profession and those of the agency.

Complies with agency confidentiality requirements as pertains to job duties, position and level of authority.

Participates and completes continuing training/ education opportunities to enhance competency within the job and contribution to the agency’s mission.

Demonstrates involvement and commitment to diversity initiatives including valuing differences and implementing diversity concepts.

Participates in agency’s continuous quality improvement efforts as they relate to the job and utilizes Performance and Quality Improvement concepts in job and work environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Required: High School diploma or GED with a minimum of one (1) year experience working with children in a residential setting and shall be at least 21 years of age. 
• Preferred:  Associates Degree in Human Services related field with one (1) year experience in residential setting or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-specific competencies listed in job duties.

Licenses & Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license with no record of criminal driving offense of license suspension and be insurable under The Children’s Home insurance criteria.  
• Must possess means of providing job related transportation and show proof of required insurance. 
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends. 
• Must successfully complete Federal background, state criminal background check and sexual predator background check.
• Current first aid/CPR certifications.  Classes offered upon hire, if necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. Ability to establish effective working relationships with residents, co-workers, supervisors and other individuals. Possess effective interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of agency's organizational structure, standard operating procedures, and policies. Knowledge of Department of Children and Families rules and regulations regarding the care of children. Knowledge of child abuse or neglect reporting procedures and methods.
• Ability to drive a commercial van. Agency insurance company must approve as insurable.
• Computer literate, with ability to operate basic computer software applications

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to perform physical restraints using the NAPPI method.
• Ability to participate in physical activities with children (weighing 107 pounds on average) that may include bending, stooping and moderate lifting.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Treatment center environment with outdoor activities.  Possible exposure to verbal and physical threats.  Possible exposure to communicable disease.