Direct Care Staff - B Shift

Role:                          Direct Care Staff
Position:                    Residential Care Specialist
Classification:           Full-time, Non-exempt
Shift:                           B Shift, 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Mon-Fri) 
Reports to:                 House Manager
Location:                    LaPorte, TX 

Position Description:

The Residential Care Specialist are the front-line workers responsible for day-to-day operations of the milieu. The Residential Care Specialist is also responsible for the safety and well-being of the children and youth assigned to their care, as well as the coordination and implementation of the interventions and activities designed to promote growth and a stable environment as they move through the program toward independent living.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Implement the therapeutic program as designed for children and youth in care in a consistent manner and provides logical and rational interventions as needed to ensure their safety and wellbeing; act as charge person in the absence of a shift supervisor or as assigned.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of activities; actively participate in those activities with the children and youth as directed.
• Provide education and adequate supplies for proper hygiene habits and social skills.
• Assist in the development of therapeutic relationships while encouraging personal growth of children and youth in care toward independence through role modeling and approved therapeutic interventions.
• Keep informed of the needs of children and youth in care to be able to provide consistency in programming; participate in the exchange of information at each shift change.
• Complete all assigned written paperwork, including daily progress notes, shift logs, Incident Report and Restraint Forms and other communications prior to shift.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Texas Drive License.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR (May be obtained upon hire)
• Must participate in behavior management and physical restraint training once hired.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant experience working with children and/or youth.
• Two (2) years’ experience working with at risk youth.
• Experience working with electronic health records.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient with basic computer skills.
• Exhibit professionalism and sound ethical practices.
• Ability to implement therapeutic treatment plans consistently.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to analyze issues, make sound decisions and problem solve.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse populations and work force.
• Ability to work cooperatively with team members and other staff.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Work Conditions:

• Environment: Residential 
• Schedule: B Shift, 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Mon-Fri)
• Travel: Occasional, Drives agency vehicle (Valid Texas Driver License required)
• May require physical restraint of clients up to 200 lbs. and apply safety interventions strategies when handling crisis.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs.
• Potential exposure to blood and body fluids