Teaching Assistant, Youth Recovery

Job Description

Job Description

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

Position Purpose:

The YRR Teaching Assistant will work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to support and serve youth, (ages 13-18.5) for the oversight and coordination of the YRR educational needs. Providing tutoring and mentoring to youth in education needs and collaborating with school districts and GED programs to coordinate consumer’s needs.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Interacts with client population to provide guidance, safety, stability, and direction including de-escalating potentially dangerous situations.
• Assist and provide instruction to YRR students in completion of assignments.
• Contact client school districts and coordinate after care plans.
• Engages consumers and appropriate family members, in the strength-based and trauma-informed treatment process and goal-setting. Identifies risk factors for clients, works constructively with consumers to reach agreed upon outcomes, and coordinates care with internal and external providers. Maintains appropriate professional standards and provides appropriate follow-up for consumers.
• Completes an initial assessment of support and needs for client engagement. Collaborates and strategizes with consumers in accordance with clinical practice guidelines and agency policies
• Effectively responds to the client’s needs and problems, initiates, and maintains positive interactions, timely response to phone calls, email and other requests.
• Knowledgeable about Jefferson Center and community resources and builds relationships with providers to assist in a seamless referral process.
• Adheres to all Jefferson Center Policies and Procedures.
• Provides structure with predictable and fair limit setting while demonstrating appropriate boundaries.

Other Duties (Productivity Performance Measures, Professional Growth/Development, Relationships/Communication):

• Attends mandatory in-services; compliance with individualized training plan if required.
• Participates in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda. Reports high risk/problem cases, and utilizes a problem solving approach as well as feedback. Attends supervision at times and interval agreed upon with supervisor.
• Corporate Compliance including documentation on practice in accordance with regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Submits 90% of all Progress-to-Date forms before the end of shift.
• Completes 95% of all paperwork by the due date.
• Exhibits enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Maintains effective interpersonal relations with clients, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors and the general public. Uses language and behavior to promote dignity and respect.
• Effectively responds to the client/consumer needs and problems, initiates and maintains positive interactions, timely response to phone calls, email and other requests.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills to develop therapeutic alliance with consumers and to work effectively and with cultural competence with consumers from diverse backgrounds.
• Participates in staff development activities to enhance professional growth.
• Addresses the whole health needs of the client by ensuring that appropriate releases are in place for physical health care providers, making appropriate referrals as needed when significant physical health needs are a consideration.
• May assist in transporting admitted clients to hospitals, aftercare or other approved services as directed by the Program Manager or Program Coordinator. Individual may be exposed adverse weather conditions during loading and unloading passengers.
• Utilizes a range of appropriate clinical and recovery focused interventions according to clinical need, or refers as indicated, to trauma specific treatment, wellness classes/coaching, co- occurring/substance use services, and employment services.
• Understand how trauma impacts the lives of the people being served, so that every interaction is consistent with the recovery process and reduces the possibility of re-traumatization.
• Participate in the Center’s training/educational programs designed to enhance knowledge about Trauma Informed Care, the impact of trauma and trauma recovery.
• Ensure that delivery practices are guided by the principles of trauma-informed care.
• Maintain professional and ethical behavior at all times.
• Completes required paperwork for substance use treatment licenses and billing to Medicaid and other funding sources, including Substance Abuse ROI and Discharge Plan.
• Endorse the Center’s belief that drug testing can be an effective therapeutic tool as it can serve as a deterrent to substance use, a safety measure for prescribing psychotropic medications and provide support to the client to increase the likelihood of successful abstinence.
• Participates in and promotes a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Participates in staff development activities that enhance professional growth.
• This is an awake position for the entire shift.
• Other duties as assigned which should include temporarily stepping into another role based on qualifications and credentialing requirements in order to provide adequate coverage on the unit. No staff will be asked to step into a position they are not qualified for.
• Staff working with youth must be in good medical, mental, physical, and emotional health. They must also be free from communicable diseases and current on all immunizations routinely recommended for adults. The role may involve lifting, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds. In rare and extreme situations, staff at the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) may be required to assist in safely holding a youth for up to 60 seconds.

Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree (from an accredited university or college) in related field required.
• CAT/CAS (Addictions Certification) preferred, but not required. Must be willing to obtain within 18 months of hire.
• Two or more years related experience and/or training required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Skills or experience in integrated health approaches preferred.
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within two months of hire.
• Valid Driver's License and acceptable motor vehicle record. Candidates must be at least 25 years of age to be covered on the center's driver's insurance.

Note: Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Salary Grade 50 (Bachelor's Degree): $55,000 annually ($26.45/hr)*

New Hire Bonus:
$1,500 1 month anniversary
$1,500 6 month anniversary
$2,000 1 year anniversary
($5,000 Total)

Additional Salary Information & Bonus Information *:

• The salary range and bonus above is based on 1.0 FTE (full time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated and adjusted to the appropriate FTE.*
• Must work a minimum of 20 hours/week to be eligible for bonus*
• Current Jefferson Center employees not eligible for sign on bonus*
• Bonuses are not earned unless and until continuous employment reaches the bonus effective date*

Application Deadline : This position will remain posted until filled. We encourage applicants to apply by 11/14/2026for priority consideration.