Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The 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 those interactions and activities in a timely manner legally consistent with Medicaid Rule 140. The Youth Care Worker employs their training in Hoyleton’s CARE practice model and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) to create developmental relationships with youth and maintain a safe, positive, 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 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 staffing's, 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

QUALIFICATION 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 and 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
• Must meet DCFS/CANTS Clearance Requirements
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and maintain proof of automobile insurance

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and related experience preferred.

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. Ongoing application of these principles is expected and essential to 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.

BENEFITS

• Medical insurance with company funded Health Savings Account (HSA) 
• Dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 company holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match 
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Optional supplemental benefits including: voluntary life, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, and critical illness coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to employees and their household members for additional support
• Tuition reimbursement to encourage continued learning and growth
• BenefitHub Perks Program offering valuable employee discounts