($13) Residential Support Specialist - Flex Time (up to 19 hrs/wk) at Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring in Canyon Lake, Texas

Job Description:

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.


($13) Residential Support Specialist - Flex Time (up to 19 hrs/wk)

US-TX-Canyon Lake

Job ID: 2018-3265
Type: PRN
# of Openings: 1
Category: Residential Treatment Centers
Upbring

Overview

While maintaining a safe, supportive therapeutic environment, the Residential Support Specialist I is responsible for supervising, teaching social and life skills, meeting the individualized care plan and personal development needs of youth in accordance with Agency standards, state licensing standards, federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. The Residential Support Specialist I will follow a designated routine as assigned. Upbring is classified as an essential business by the Federal government because the services we provide are critical to the wellbeing of thousands of children and families. Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

Responsibilities

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards

• Provide direct supervision, interaction, and observation of all youth while in their living space or common areas; always know the whereabouts of all youth during the shift
• Interact, observe, and supervise youth in accordance with their individualized treatment and behavior support plans
• Ensure that all living spaces are clean, organized and maintain the youth's living space to provide a safe, hygienic, and therapeutic environment
• Ensure safety, security and sanitation standards are always maintained in all work areas

Communication

• Communicate with youth and team members in a strength-based manner
• Enter all assigned duties in a strength -based, concise and understandable manner, such as behavior sheets, observation notes, communication logs, shift reports personal restraint records, incident reports, etc. in the computer before the end of shift
• Report and properly enter all incidents in a timely manner (prior to the end of the shift)

We Are Servants| We Help Others

Adaptability

• Set appropriate behavioral limits with youth in accordance with Agency policy and individualized treatment and behavior support plans
• Work in a manner that seeks to prevent crisis situations; proactively intervene to manage or de-escalate crisis situations; apply verbal redirection when deemed appropriate
• Maintain awareness of resident behavior and utilize the proper intervention and appropriate consequence in accordance with Agency policy and the resident's individual treatment and behavior support plans; accurately enter the behavior and intervention

Teamwork

• Teach and Provide youth with a full range of basic living skills, including, but not limited to bathing, feeding, cleaning, shopping, and laundry
• Provide back-up services and assistance to other units/programs when needed
• May be required to complete driving duties as driver and/or accompanying during transport. Subject to being designated as an authorized driver

We Are Family| We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Converse with youth to reinforce positive behavior and promote social interaction and community inclusion
• Assist with the new resident orientation
• Work as team player, exhibit professionalism (commitment, confidence, responsibility, dependability, honesty, ethics, appearance), and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Accompany youth professionally, participate, and manage resident behavior in group therapy sessions as needed
• Accompany and/or transport youth professionally to appointments, outings and activities using established safety protocol
• Teach, supervise, and assist youth in achieving daily goals including laundry, mopping, sweeping, organizing, caring for grounds, and facilities

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Prior experience working with people, preferably in a residential care facility in direct care, eldercare, group home, or working with individuals with mental health and/or behavioral health related issues
• Strong communication skills, with demonstrated ability to enter information into a computer in a concise and understandable manner
• Strong time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner
• Ability to work both in a team environment and independently
• Ability to use good judgment, think and react rationally and calmly in difficult and stressful situations
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a diverse staff and resident population
• Ability to work extra shifts on business need
• Must be 21 years of age or older per licensing requirements
• Must have valid TX driver license and auto insurance to be designated as an authorized driver
• Familiarity with basic computer skills, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Social Services, Human Services, or closely related field
• 6 months experience in residential care facility in direct care, eldercare, group home, or working with individuals with mental health and/or behavioral health related
• Trauma Informed Care training and understand of effects on trauma on development
• Knowledge of behavior modification and therapeutic settings
• Ability to provide conflict resolution and de-escalation methods and techniques to ensure the well-being and safety of youth

Agreement

The statements herein indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of the job and may request the employee to perform other duties and responsibilities not listed at his/her discretion. This job description is not a contract between the employee occupying the position and the employer. Upbring is an at-will employer. Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status. If the day-to-day work I perform differs significantly from the above outlined essential duties, it is my obligation to inform my supervisor and/or Organizational Development.