Direct Caregiver (Child Protective Services)

Direct Caregiver Position

Must be age 22 or older. Must have a valid driver's license. Must be able to pass a background check.

Pay scale depending on experience starting at $15/hr. with potential to go to $17/hr. after a successful probationary period. Work site is at our Lindale, TX campus. Pre-service training is required. Fingerprint background clearance required. TB test required. References required. (Per state regulations)

Qualifications

1. This position requires a person with a High School degree or GED.
2. Experience working for a Residential setting, Child-Placing Agency or other related job experience is a plus.
3. Minimum 2 years' work experience, preferably with teenagers, within the last 5 years. Experience with trauma informed care is a plus.
4. Must be over 22 years of age
5. This position requires the positive completion of a 90-day probationary period. During this time the agency and employee will decide if the relationship is cohesive. At any time during the 90-day probationary period, either the agency or employee may terminate the relationship for any reason.

Primary Purpose: The basic function of the Direct Caregiver is to provide basic daily care services for children in our care. Care Staff will also establish and build supportive and nurturing relationships with the children. Care Staff will either provide or arrange all services to meet the children's needs and act as a liaison between children and other staff.

Responsibilities/Tasks

1. Communicate with supervisor, program staff and other service providers as needed to assess and discuss child's progress and needs.
2. Participate in scheduled staff meetings.
3. Assist children with approved telephone contacts.
4. Complete all incident reports, and all other designated electronic documentation in a timely manner.
5. Maintain knowledge of the child's progress in the child's service, supervision and safety plans.
6. Monitor the child's visits with parents and/or siblings as needed.
7. Transport children to various appointments and outings of various types.
8. Monitor activities of the children for compliance with the Minimum Standards for Residential settings, Hope Haven of East Texas guidelines, Residential Contract guidelines and agency policies and procedures.
9. Report suspected child abuse/neglect to supervisor, licensing and appropriate law enforcement agency.
10. Consult with supervisor and other care staff on specific needs of child and report all serious incidents immediately.
11. Participate in required in-service training (50 hours annually) that may be scheduled after hours and/or on weekends to meet the above requirements.
12. Perform other assignments and duties as requested.

Position Requirements, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

NOTE: These requirements represent minimum levels to perform the job in a satisfactory manner. Candidates must have the ability to comprehend and correctly perform the essential functions of the job.

1. Requires basic understanding of a field of knowledge that involves the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts.
2. Ability to be certified in CPR & First-Aid, Medication Administration and Behavior intervention which includes physical restraint of children.
3. Ability to identify potential behavior situations, such as aggression, suicide ideation, anger escalation and have the knowledge and confidence to redirect and deescalate behavior as necessary.
4. Ability to recognize differences in sound, such as voices/noises that are loud and playful instead of angry or combative; and ability to differentiate tones and volume in conversations to determine mood and response to a person or persons.
5. Ability to work under moderate supervision.
6. Ability to exercise patience, good judgment, and confidentiality; to observe and make accurate assessments of situations with available information.
7. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and in stressful situations; ability to respond in crisis situations.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, other employees, and the public.
9. Present deep interest in working with young people, as well as a desire to understand how to create positive youth development.
10. Sufficient good health to properly discharge duties. Employees shall not be permitted to work when they have infectious disease or skin lesions, for the duration of the communicability
11. Acknowledge the unique Statement of Faith mission of Hope Haven of East Texas and respond appropriately to the cultural differences among the agencies service population.
12. Must pass Hope Haven Background Check requirements.
13. Must be physically fit and capable of lifting forty (40) pounds.
14. Must be able to stay alert during late hours or overnight.
15. Must possess a valid driver's license and have a driver's record which is within the guidelines of the insurance underwriter.

Equipment Used: Computer and copier, Household appliances, company vehicles