Youth Counselor - 1st Shift (8am-4pm)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

POSITION SUMMARY

The TLP Youth Care Worker is responsible for implementing daily therapeutic programming for youth under the direction of their assigned supervisor. The Youth Care Worker engages the youth in therapeutic interactions and skill-building activities and documents those interactions and activities promptly consistent with the life skills plan, CARE, and TCI. The Youth Care Worker employs their training in Hoyleton’s CARE practice model and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) to create developmental relationships with youth and maintain a safe, positive, therapeutic environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engages youth in daily therapeutic activities that help youth develop social, emotional, and other life skills, including the ability to have fun and play, consistent with each youth’s individualized treatment goals and the CARE principles.
• Ensures the safety of youth, themselves, and co-workers by:
• Developing positive relationships with youth, co-workers, and supervisors,
• Knowing and understanding youths’ trauma history and triggers, 
• Anticipating crises and using TCI crisis de-escalation techniques, 
• Working to restore relationships as crises are resolved by conducting TCI Life Space Interviews with youth.
• Requires the successful completion of CARE training and certification and annual recertification in TCI.
• Completes daily hours of care required by program standards.
• Participate with their supervisor and youth in planning schedules of activities for each shift.
• Engages in reflective practice by participating in weekly individual and/or group supervision with their supervisor.
• Participates in clinical staffing, cottage, and other agency meetings as required and meets all initial and ongoing agency training requirements.
• Requires overnight staff to complete bed checks of each youth every hour and/or increased if on safety plan and to therapeutically engage youth who have problems around bedtime or sleeping.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to learn the CARE practice model and implement daily programming consistent with CARE principles.
• Ability to learn the TCI curriculum successfully, pass TCI written test, remain current with required TCI refresher training, and conduct TCI techniques with fidelity to the model.
• Must enjoy actively engaging youth, be emotionally mature and patient, and communicate empathy toward youth.
• Prefer candidates who are kind, generous, and have a good sense of humor.
• Must possess and retain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and retain proof of auto insurance. 
• DCFS/CANTS Clearance.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and related experience preferred.

CARE & TCI

Hoyleton has adopted the CARE (Children and Residential Experience), developed by Cornell University , to guide our culture and practice. CARE is grounded in six core principles: Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence Centered, and Trauma Informed. 

Completion of CARE and TCI training is an internal requirement for all staff and must be completed upon hire. Ongoing application of these principles is expected and essential to successful job performance.

TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) . Employees must:

• Pass the written test annually
• Pass the physical test every six months (if applicable to their role)

Consistent participation and application of both CARE and TCI principles drive company culture and are essential to job performance.