PT Child Care Specialist (shifts)

Reports To:   Administrator, Executive Director, & Case Manager

Summary/Objective:

Responsible for implementing the facility’s structured direct care for children's programs and for providing an environment of consistent structure, guidance, and nurturance in the residential facility.

Essential Functions:

• Participate as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team to meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of the children, as outlined in each child’s plan of service.
• Have a working knowledge of Trauma Informed Care, Normalcy, Compassion Fatigue & Self-Care.
  
• Help provide an environment that is growth producing and which stimulates self-confidence, trust and felt safety.
  
• Remain attentive to the physical, emotional, and academic growth of the children under their supervision.
  
• Utilize a trauma informed approach to improve children’s self-worth, learn effective problem solving and daily living skills, as well as self-regulation.
  
• Facilitate an environment that encourages children to practice resolving problems and living in the community environment.
• Provide opportunities to set individual and group goals.
  
• Facilitate discussions that encourage residents to take part in group activities.
  
• Provide continual recognition of resident’s strengths and gradual successes.
• Maintain an awareness of the needs of all resident’s and is attentive to creative changes in program.
  
• Communicate information through various means to all other Direct Care Specialists regarding issues that may impact their shifts while working with the resident’s.
  
• Work collaboratively with Administrator, Case Manager, and Program Director.
  
• Provide transportation to residents as needed.
  
• Monitor and coordinate resident’s activities, behaviors, and safety.
• Administer prescription & non-prescription medication.
  
• Emphasize safety of the residents through supervision and awareness.
  
• Supervise and participate in daily activities with residents.
  
• Maintain home-like environment, including living quarters, grounds, and backyard area to ensure a clean, safe, and orderly environment.
  
• Report needed repairs to Administrator or appropriate staff.
  
• Participate in training, staff meetings and supervisory conferences to develop and enhance childcare & trauma-informed skills.
  
• Maintain client records, daily report sheets and serious incident reports as necessary.
  
• Emphasize safety to keep injuries to a minimum.
  
• Perform other assignments and duties as requested.
  

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:

               ● High School Degree or equivalent is required; some college or college degree is preferred.
               ● Age 21 or older to meet the needs for the vehicle insurance.
               ● Minimum of one year of experience working with children in a therapeutic/residential setting or related experience.
               ● Valid Texas driver’s license with insurance and provide DPS proof of driving record acceptable to agency insurers for the past three (3) years.
               ● Must submit to pre-employment drug screen as well as random drug screens when directed.
               ● Provide a required TB test, within past 12 months, showing employee is free of contagious TB.
               ● Submit to a criminal background check, FBI background check, and Texas HHS background check as required by regulatory agencies.
                · Possess knowledge of issues related to child development, trauma, youth homelessness, abuse and neglect with at-risk children.
               ● Effective communication skills, both oral and written; Effective organizational skills; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the                            community as well as volunteers.
               ● Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision.
               ● CPR, First Aid and Emergency Behavior Intervention certification must be current or obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained as required by regulatory standards.
               ● Sufficient good health to properly perform duties.

General Agency Requirements:

               ● Immediately report any suspected abuse/neglect of a child
               ● Maintain Licensing credentials as required and attend agency training as needed.
               ● Set high standard of professional, technical, personal conduct and competence for team.
               ● Emphasize safety to keep employee injury to a minimum

Physical Requirements
              ● Minimum physical requirements

Schedule

               Part-time schedule

              (Mon-Fri) 7:00am - 3:30pm; 3:00pm - 11:30pm; 11:00pm-7:30am