Youth Care Worker

Description

Hiring for:

Second shift with overnight hours - 6 pm - 6 am 

We are committed to supporting at risk children and families providing them with tools and resources to help prevent children from experiencing child abuse, neglect and abandonment. We are a Christian agency that believes in living our mission, we provide Christ-centered care and support to children and families in need.

In response to this community-wide challenge, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS), provides 14 programs and services in 28 locations, in Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana, which provide children with permanent homes and adults with increased self-sufficiency. This is accomplished by the agency’s commitment to “The PCHAS Way” which inspires the agency to be strength-focused, family-centered, and goal driven with every client.

Benefits of serving children and families in need through PCHAS include competitive salaries, flex work schedules, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance options, voluntary life insurance options, paid holidays, and a very generous retirement plan (after one year of service and working 1,000 hours the agency matches an employee 200% up to a 3% retirement contribution).

Serve as a member of the treatment team for each assigned child and consult with other team members as needed/requested to ensure that treatment planning goals are being met. Facilitates, in large measure, the socialization and daily living treatment objectives for each child, while at the same time ensuring the proper care, supervision and safety of each assigned child. Provides support and back-up to other Child Care staff as needed/requested.

Status: Non-exempt

Working Conditions:

Works in a “home-like” cottage/house setting and in the community at times. Requires prolonged standing and walking; bending and reaching, and a great deal of stamina to work long hours. May require lifting up to 50 pounds. May require participation in the safe physical containment of an escalated resident engaged in self-harming or physically aggressive behavior toward others.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide supervision, structure, and guidance for youth by utilizing TBRI techniques to daily living skills; anger management and conflict resolution skills; decision making skills. Provide verbal feedback to youth regarding skill growth. As necessary, utilize SCM intervention techniques according to agency protocol.
• Conduct daily health/safety inspections and report any concerns to supervisor and maintenance as needed. Conduct monthly fire, tornado and earthquake drills. Maintain a written record of all disaster drills and provide copy to supervisor.
• Maintain accurate and current daily documentation of each youth in CSWIS and other documentation according to agency, licensing, and accreditation standards. Set up and maintain individual youth files, medication records, individual logs and crisis files.
• Dispense medication as prescribed after completing the Medication Technician Certification class. Maintain accurate medication records. Assess resident illnesses and injuries, contacting the Coordinator or On-Call with concerns or need for medical treatment.
• Participate in mandatory team meetings, individual supervisory sessions, and trainings as scheduled.
• Implement daily life skills groups and document accordingly. Implement daily and weekly recreational activities according to the schedule.
• Provide transportation of youth to school, appointments, jobs, etc., as needed or requested.
• Assist youth with planning appropriate weekly menus according to program expectations. Complete shopping for food once a week with 1-2 youth at a time and allow purchases of hygiene supplies once a month. Conduct weekly nutrition/healthy meal options groups with the youth and cook a meal with youth once a week, as schedule allows.

Requirements

• Minimum of High School Diploma or GED; human service college courses, associate degree or bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Upon employment, must pursue continuing education and /or in-service training required for this position.
• Must be at least 21 years of age; prior childcare experience preferred.
• Ability to develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with youth displaying behavioral and emotional problems; an ability to maintain an appropriate balance between being authoritative and supportive; and ability to not take children’s negative comments or behaviors personally; and must be able to make sound decisions in crisis situations and under pressure.
• Personal maturity is an extremely important attribute. Must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to drive a van and/or automobile safely, both day and night.
• Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Must be able to interact with resident and other staff from various ethnic groups in a culturally competent and professional manner.

Other Requirements:

Must hold a valid driver’s license, have and maintain a risk-free driving record. Must be willing to undergo initial and periodic child abuse/neglect, criminal history, sexual offender, and childcare/elder care disqualification list screenings. As requested, must submit fingerprints for review by the state of your employment and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Must undergo a pre-employment drug screen and a pre-employment physical with the results showing no evidence of communicable disease.

Christian Commitment:

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services is a faith-based Christian organization. We provide Christ-centered care and support to children and families in need. We strive to serve like Jesus. We meet our clients where they are and treat them with respect. We focus on our clients’ strengths rather than their problems. And we encourage our clients to focus on their future rather than their past. When we do this well, we help our clients find hope and know the love of God.

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