Position Function:
The Youth Care Specialist (YCS) oversees the daily supervision of clients and provides a therapeutic environment to meet client needs, including physical, mental, academic, medical, relational, spiritual, and emotional care. The Youth Care Specialist assists clients with daily living tasks, learning daily living and self-care skills, and providing behavioral support and guidance to achieve service plan goals. The Youth Care Specialist is also responsible for maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment that provides for the overall safety of clients in care and maintains the physical care of the facility in accordance with minimum standards. The YCS provides supportive learning experiences, behavioral support, and empathic adult guidance to clients. The YCS delivers services within a Trauma-Informed Care framework, assisting clients to achieve their goals and family reunification unless alternative placement is necessary. The YCS works with clients to build on their strengths, assisting them in creating solutions and discovering hope for their future. The YCS may be instructed to work in other units, as needed, at the direction of their supervisor or on call. The YCS is sensitive to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Requirements:
Education: High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in a human service field from an accredited college or university preferred.
Experience: Six months of direct care and positive guidance experience with youth, young adults, or families in a residential or professional setting preferred. Effective listening and communication skills required. Understanding of children, youth, and families in crisis required.
Other: Must currently have a valid driver’s license and maintain a Texas driver’s license within 90 days of establishing Texas residency. Must have an acceptable driving record and be willing to transport clients. Must be able to successfully complete behavioral management de-escalation course.
Working Conditions:
Exposure to children with behavior problems, including possible physical aggression. Exposure to illness and blood. Residential programs operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and do not close for holidays or inclement weather. Extended walking and standing daily. Must always be physically able to use authorized crisis intervention techniques.
Exposure to Confidential Information:
Maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel records and client records.
Key Expectations/Responsibilities:
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrate professionalism, including consistent and reliable job performance and use of professional ethics to guide practice.
- Apply a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach by identifying client strengths and supporting individualized growth plans.
- Demonstrate cultural competency and skills to meet the needs of clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Apply knowledge of human development and the needs of youth at risk or with special needs.
- Build collaborative relationships and maintain effective communication with clients and team members.
- Utilize developmental practice methods focused on relationships, safety, and intervention planning.
- Implement Trauma-Informed Care principles and interventions within assigned programs.
- Demonstrate flexibility and ability to work in other units as needed at the direction of supervisor or on call.
Program:
- Complete client intakes and assist with intake documentation as assigned.
- Provide clients with all basic needs, including a clean and safe living environment.
- Provide supervision to clients based on required supervision levels, including timely bed checks.
- Provide behavioral support and crisis intervention as needed.
- Follow and implement daily and recreational schedules.
- Plan and implement activities that support life skills and experiential learning opportunities.
- Maintain a helping role and intervene appropriately to support service goals.
- Transport clients to appointments, activities, and visits.
- Provide opportunities for clients to learn and practice positive life skills and relationship skills.
- Conduct house meetings and participate in shift change meetings and staffing as directed.
- Complete training and certifications required by licensing, contracts, grants, and agency standards.
- Use skills learned through onboarding and ongoing training.
- Collaborate with TDFPS, caseworkers, families, and support systems to advocate for clients and support transition goals.
- Support case plans for clients and families.
- Participate in planning and implementation of services, activities, and skills training.
- Comply with agency, program, and licensing standards.
- Maintain consistency and teamwork during shifts.
- Assist with meal preparation, laundry, organization of supplies, food storage, cleanliness, and health and safety standards.
- Maintain safety, confidentiality, and protection of clients.
- Arrive on time and remain actively engaged with clients throughout scheduled shifts.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain necessary documentation for agency, grant, and contract compliance.
- Notify supervisor immediately of Serious Incidents and complete incident reports and case notes within 24 hours.
- Complete and maintain required training hours within outlined timeframes.
- Administer and document medication as directed and follow medication refill procedures.
- Complete all required documentation including incident reports, case notes, daily logs, and medical documentation.
- Make required notifications to law enforcement, TDFPS hotline, medical professionals, and other agencies as needed.
- Clock in and out at the beginning and end of each shift.
- Meet all deadlines outlined in TDFPS Minimum Standards, grants, contracts, and agency policies.
Community Relations:
- Establish respectful relationships with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
- Work collaboratively with personnel, service providers, and professionals.
- Build strong and collaborative relationships with volunteer organizations and community members.
- Represent ACH in a professional manner at all times.
#ACH1
The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.
Education: High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in a human service field from an accredited college or university preferred.
Experience: Six months of direct care and positive guidance experience with youth, young adults, or families in a residential or professional setting preferred. Effective listening and communication skills required. Understanding of children, youth, and families in crisis required.
Other: Must currently have a valid driver’s license and maintain a Texas driver’s license within 90 days of establishing Texas residency. Must have an acceptable driving record and be willing to transport clients. Must be able to successfully complete behavioral management de-escalation course.