Residential Treatment Specialist

Position Title: Residential Treatment Specialist Department: Residential (RES) Reports to: Dorm Supervisor About the Program: Residential (RES): also known as the Diermeier Therapeutic Youth Home in North Lawndale. The facility can serve 70 youth, most of whom come through DCFS, group homes, foster care and psychiatric hospitals. The around-the-clock facility is staffed by more than 150 employees who provide services to decrease problematic behaviors. The program provides life skills, tutoring, therapy, educational opportunities, programmatic activities, sporting and recreational events, camping, part-time employment opportunities, and arts and crafts, among other offerings. The goal at discharge is to have successfully engaged youth so they can transition to foster care or transitional living services. The accredited program is considered high end because of services and supports provided to youth with the most difficult behaviors. Position Summary: The Residential Treatment Specialist provides direct service to children and adolescents with behavioral and emotional disorders in a residential setting. The position requires general supervision of residents, teaching appropriate daily living and social skills, implementation of the daily schedule, behavior management, crisis intervention, group work, implementation of recreational activities, report writing and records management, and overseeing all aspects of daily living for the residents. The RTS is expected to role model how to work cooperatively with their co-workers. They are also expected to conduct themselves in a professional, ethical, and therapeutic manner always with residents, resident family members, co-workers, and individuals from outside UCAN. Essential Responsibilities: Job Knowledge Demonstration Supervises and monitors the whereabouts and activities of all assigned residents during the scheduled shift of a 24-hour day. Maintains current knowledge through participation in mandatory training. Understands the treatment goals of the program and the RTS role in residential treatment. Uses knowledge of child development and childhood disorders, when intervening with residents. Follows all UCAN policies and procedures in the performance of duties. Utilizes available programs, resources, and materials to meet the needs of the residents. Is knowledgeable of the UCAN Clinical Philosophy and the residential program clinical model. Understands and appropriately utilizes the established UCAN treatment interventions. Dorm and Client Behavior Management Manages the behavior of residents through use of approved behavioral management interventions and works with residents toward the accomplishment of treatment goals. Fairly and consistently enforces rules and applies appropriate consequences as needed. Implements individual behavior management plans for residents on the dorm through a teamwork approach and makes suggestions to the team based on observations and interactions with the residents. Appropriately and consistently implements behavior management interventions. Effectively manages the daily routine and follows dorm schedules. Effectively leads dorm-based groups per level responsibilities. Develops and implements dorm-based programs per level responsibilities. Assists residents in identifying behavioral alternatives and selecting appropriate behaviors. Supervises and monitors the resident’s self-administration of medication. Will be trained in the monitoring of physical vital signs such as blood pressure, respiration, temperature, and heart rate; subsequently will be expected to periodically perform such monitoring on the residents as needed. Will be trained in the use of an intoximeter. Subsequently will be expected to periodically perform such monitoring of the residents as needed. Will be trained in the procedure for administering a urine toxicology screen; subsequently will be expected to perform such screening on the residents as needed. Demonstrates a positive therapeutic approach with residents and reinforces positive behaviors. Effectively addresses and resolves conflict between residents. Maintaining Safety/Security Manages daily routines and monitors the safety conditions and overall cleanliness of the residential program. Provides transportation for residents as needed and within program guidelines. Maintains clean and orderly surroundings to minimize the opportunity for unsafe behaviors. Follows all policies, procedure, protocol, and safety directives to create and maintain a consistent, predictable, and safe environment. Demonstrates proficient skills and use them appropriately during physical intervention. Maintains alertness to potentially unsafe situations and responds to maintain a safe environment for everyone. Monitors resident behavior to ensure that they are not a danger to themselves, other residents, or to staff. Developing Therapeutic Relationships Provides a positive, stable role model and authority figure for residents. Establishes and maintains a caring and therapeutic relationship with residents in care. Individually works with assigned "primary" residents and reports on primary resident's progress in team meetings. Uses understanding of the Mental Health diagnoses of clients when intervening to meet client needs. Considers any cultural factors that may be impacting the client or his/her level of participation in services. Participates in team meetings, supervisory sessions and other program meetings, on a regular basis. Establishes positive working relationships with team members, other UCAN staff, and outside contacts who are involved with the residents. Works effectively with all members of the team (RTS’s, Therapist, Caseworker, etc.) and assists others who request help. Communication/Documentation Maintains the program records and daily logs, as well as appropriate internal documentation and computer data entry, using Profile. Correctly completes daily routine management (Service Plans, Medicaid logs, etc.) Communicates all critical incidents to the team on a timely basis. Uses written documentation correctly and completes on time. Prepares reports for team meetings and staffing on a thorough and timely basis. Clearly communicates observations, ideas, and plans to others through writing. Cooperates in the creation of "Special Programs" for the clients. Completes written documentation with accuracy and sufficient attention to detail, spelling, and grammatical correctness. Professionalism and Work Conduct Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN. Acts in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients. Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others. Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled. Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and co-workers. Understands and supports UCAN’s standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it. Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, DCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need. Performs other related tasks as required or assigned. Education /Job Experience/Certification: BSW or BA/BS in Human Service field. Non-degreed or non-Human Service degree or high school diploma with at least 5 years of related experience (human services, child welfare or crisis intervention). Special Knowledge and Qualifications: Completes written documentation with accuracy and sufficient attention to detail, spelling, and grammatical correctness. Understands trauma-informed practice. Understands Positive Youth Development. Meets qualifications for Medicaid RSA. Willingness to learn the UCAN Clinical Philosophy and the residential clinical model. Willingness to become familiar with computers and learn to use programs such as Microsoft Word. Ability to effectively communicate with staff and clients. Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population. Experience or ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing. Must be able to work as a team member. Work Environment: Crisis prevention and behavioral management techniques include physically restraining and physically transporting residents. This position works in all areas of the facility. Hazards include risk of exposure to communicable diseases and risks of injury associated with residents with emotional disorders. Work Conditions: This position may require work on weekends, evenings, and overtime. #J-18808-Ljbffr