Lead Youth Care Worker

Under the assigned supervisor, is responsible for the daily management of a therapeutic residential living environment that promotes the learning of skills for emotional, mental, and physical health; provides a therapeutic, safe, and structured environment, as specified, in each youth’s Individual Treatment Plan and the OHU Residential Program Plan

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Provides supervision of youth in accordance with OHU and DCFS policies
• Maintains a therapeutic home environment. Interactions with all clients reflect a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach
• Teaches and mentors co-workers in the daily management of a therapeutic milieu, providing them with the skills to assist youth in positive change.
• Teaches, models, and participates in individual and group instruction in daily living, recreational activities, social skills, emotional regulation skills, and independent living skills as prescribed by each youth’s Individual Treatment Plan and the OHU Residential
Program Plan
• Continually trains and maintains certification in the implementation of Therapeutic Crisis
Intervention (TCI) or other approved behavior modification program
• Follows OHU Residential Program Plan, including daily schedule, administration of
expectations and associated consequences, and mental health treatment of youth in residential care
• Demonstrates the highest investment in and commitment to quality improvement practices in order to continuously improve the delivery of services to our clients
• Maintains a spirit of teamwork with other residential home staff; this includes attending weekly team meetings and staffings, as required
• Attends meetings, training, seminars, and conferences as assigned by supervisory or administrative staff
• Completes all documentation required for the position in a timely and accurate manner
• Abides by client and program confidentiality to the highest standard
• Transports clients (youth) and their families to mandated court hearings, school appointments, doctor appointments or other case related appointments
• Performs on call duties as assigned
• Participates in weekly clinical and team meetings
• Responsible for home specific duties, ie, home calendars, vouchers, youth home files, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Education: High School Diploma or GED or Bachelor’s degree

Experience: 1 year of OHU residential experience

Other:

1. Minimum 21 years of age

2. Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record with OHU required levels of coverage for auto insurance.

3. DCFS background check & approval to transport youth.

4. Must be physically able to complete Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) restraint training.

Required Skills:
1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
2. Proficient computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment and adaptive skills to expand software application skills as necessary
3. Patience, positive attitude, and willingness to develop greater skills and understanding of youth with behavior disorders and/or mental health issues
4. Willingness to engage with youth in social and recreational activities, as well as act in a surrogate parent role including assisting with homework, chores, attending appointments, school activities and events and any DCFS-related expectations
5. Demonstrated ability to build professional relationships
6. Ability to exercise discretion and ensure confidentiality
7. Ability to accept direction and modify interactions with youth at direction of supervisory and clinical team

Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The job requires standing for moderate amounts of time, as well as stooping, squatting, and running. The employee must be able to walk, squat/kneel, sit on floor, see, hear, speak with youth to ensure youth’s health and safety. The position requires visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need; and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, computer, and copier. The employee is occasionally required to lift items up to 20 pounds. The employee must be able to participate in TCI restraints as needed.

The employee works in a group home setting and may encounter unpredictable clients. Duties are performed inside with climate control and outdoors with varied weather conditions (depending on season). This position performs tasks that involve possible exposure to communicable diseases, blood, body fluids or tissues. This position may require occasional travel in the local and regional area.

• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per fiscal year
• Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days, up to 6 paid Personal Days, 1 paid Mental Health Day, and up to 5 paid Sick days annually
• Medical, dental, vision, 403 (b) retirement, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, dependent care, commuter and transit
• Agency-paid Life&ADD insurance up to $50K based on salary and short-term disability
• Agency-paid long-term after 1 year of employment
• Voluntary Supplemental Life&ADD, Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)
• Voluntary Legal Plans
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program with 6 free counseling sessions
• Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
• Free LCSW and LCPC Supervision hours available in some locations

• 800+ talented professionals strong, serving 10,000 children and families in Illinois and Florida
• Fiscally stable, $70 Million agency-- strong since 1895
• Energetic leadership and a rich community of support