Youth Care Worker - Part Time - (Third Shift 11 Pm - 9 Am)

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Residential Youth Care Worker is responsible for implementing daily therapeutic programming for youth under the direction of their assigned supervisor. The Youth Care Worker engages youth in therapeutic interactions and skill-building activities, and documents these interactions and activities in a timely manner, in accordance with Medicaid Rule 140. The Youth Care Worker applies their training in Hoyleton's CARE practice model and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) to foster developmental relationships with youth and maintain a safe, positive, and therapeutic environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engages youth in daily therapeutic activities that help youth develop social, emotional, and other life skills, including the ability to have fun and play, consistent with each youth's individualized treatment goals as well as the CARE principles.
• Ensures the safety of youth, themselves, and co-workers by:
• developing positive relationships with youth, co-workers, and supervisors,
• knowing and understanding youths' trauma history and triggers,
• anticipating crises and using TCI crisis de-escalation techniques,
• implementing TCI-compliant manual restraint according to agency policy when youth and staff are in immediate and serious risk of physical harm, and
• working to restore relationships as crises resolve by conducting TCI Life Space Interviews with youth.
• Requires the successful completion of CARE training and certification, and annual recertification in TCI.
• Completes daily hours of care required by documenting Medicaid-compliant therapeutic interventions.
• Participates with their supervisor and the youth in planning schedules of activities for each shift.
• Engages in reflective practice by participating in weekly individual and/or group supervision with their supervisor.
• Participates in clinical staffings, cottage and other agency meetings as required, and meets all initial and ongoing agency training requirements.
• Requires overnight staff to complete bed checks of each youth every 15 minutes and to therapeutically engage youth who have problems around bedtime or sleeping.
• This position requires on-call status whenever applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid Illinois driver's license
• Must possess and maintain proof of personal automobile insurance
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must meet DCFS/CANTS Clearance Requirements
• Ability to learn the CARE practice model and implement daily programming consistent with CARE principles.
• Ability to learn the TCI curriculum and successfully pass TCI written and physical restraint tests, remain current with required TCI refresher training, and conduct TCI techniques with fidelity to the model.
• Must enjoy actively engaging youth, be emotionally mature, patient, and communicate empathy toward youth.
• Prefer candidates who are kind, generous, and have a good sense of humor.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED required

CARE & TCI

Hoyleton has adopted the CARE (Children and Residential Experience), developed by Cornell University, to guide our culture and practice. CARE is grounded in six core principles: Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship-Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence-Centered, and Trauma-Informed.

Completion of CARE and TCI training is an internal requirement for all staff and must be completed upon hire. The ongoing application of these principles is expected and essential for successful job performance.

TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention)

Employees must:

• Pass the written test annually
• Pass the physical test every six months (if applicable to their role)

Consistent participation and application of both CARE and TCI principles drive company culture and are essential to job performance.