SUMMARY: Direct Care Staff (PRN) are responsible, under general supervision, for providing care to youth (age 14-21) residing in the group home. The Direct Care Staff (PRN) will deliver services and perform the duties required to maintain daily operations of a residential care program for runaway and homeless youth.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Effectively watch, listen, engage, and monitor client interaction.
- Orient new residents to the program by explaining daily routines, expectations, and resident rights.
- Ensure each resident is assigned a room with adequate bedding and hygiene supplies, complete clothing inventory, and ensure each child has an adequate supply of seasonal clothing.
- Provide direct supervision and know where residents are at all times. Conduct and document fifteen-minute bed checks during sleeping hours.
- Maintain a therapeutic, safe, and clean environment for residents and staff, including housekeeping, preparing and serving meals in lieu of a cook, motivating and engaging youth in completing daily routines and chores.
- Give instructions to youth regarding desirable health and personal habits.
- Provide praise, direction, and discipline to improve social skills and healthy choices.
- Use agency-approved crisis intervention techniques.
- Plan and lead recreational activities and participate or instruct youth games.
- Provide individual and group support to residents.
- Transport youth to school, designated appointments, and activities.
- Complete daily log entries, progress notes, incident reports, and other documentation consistently, accurately, and legible.
- Follow agency training and protocol regarding medication storage, dispensing, and documentation.
- Handle crisis calls, walk-in crisis situations, referrals, and admissions as needed.
- Attend all staff meetings and regular supervision.
- Complete annual training requirements to meet all governing body requirements.
- Assure confidentiality of information related to clients, personnel, and other information of confidential nature.
- Interact with clients and team members, at appropriate times, in a friendly, service-oriented manner.
- Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Advocate standards.
- Always comply with Advocates’ standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient operations.
- Maintain a friendly and warm demeanor at all times with both team members and clients.
- Demonstrates passion for the mission of Advocates for Children and a commitment to ensuring fairness and accessibility for all through active participation in related training and advocacy efforts.
- Demonstrate a commitment to PQI and attend meetings as required
- Other duties, as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Not Applicable
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED required.
- Two years’ experience working with youth.
- Able to work nights and weekends
- Current CPR/First-Aid Certification (or completed within 30 days of hire).
- Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen.
- Basic Word Processing knowledge is preferred.
COMPETENCIES:
- Quality- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
- Initiative- Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
- ·Problem Solving- Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Safety and Security- Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
- Teamwork- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Occasionally required to stand
- Occasionally required to walk
- Frequently required to sit
- Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
- Continually required to talk or hear
- Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions
- While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
- The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 25 pounds / frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds / continually lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Frequently required to drive a personal vehicle.
