Youth Care Worker

HopeTree Family Services; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

HopeTree Family Services in Salem, VA seeks a Youth Care Worker to supervise and guide youth, support daily routines, and uphold professional boundaries. You will monitor wellness checks, plan activities, and model positive behavior.

Responsibilities include crisis intervention, medical coordination per MAR, maintaining a safe environment, and documenting outcomes. The role emphasizes trauma-informed practice and collaboration with treatment teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services strongly preferred.
• Associates degree with at least 3 months experience working directly with children.
• High school diploma or GED with at least 6 months experience working directly with children.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision of youth and maintain awareness of their whereabouts.
• Plan activities addressing physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs.
• Model appropriate behavior and respectful communication with youth and staff.
• Follow Medication Policy; document MAR and healthcare appointments.
• Build relationships with youth; maintain boundaries and trauma-informed care.
• Meet emotional and physical needs; promote safe, healthy habits.
• Meet medical needs; relay health concerns and schedule appointments.
• Attend supervision, treatment teams, and youth staffing as needed.
• Ensure proper documentation and complete shift checklists.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Knowledge of adolescent behaviors

Ability to maintain boundaries

Valid driver’s license

Background check ready

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services

Associate’s degree + 3 months related experience

High school diploma or GED + 6 months related experience

Job description

The Youth Care Worker has the direct responsibility for guidance and supervision of the youth to whom he/she is assigned including overseeing physical care, development of acceptable habits and attitudes, management of youth behavior, and helping to meet the goals and objectives of any required service plan all while observing professional boundaries with clients and co-workers. The Youth Care Worker role is the foundation of the program serving as a support and source of direction for youth within the program.

Position Responsibilities

• Provides adequate supervision of youth in his/her care andalways knows their whereabouts. Completes wellness/mental health checks as needed to provideappropriate supervision.
• Prepares for shift byplanning foractivities that meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, and/or social needs of all youthinprogram.
• Modelsappropriate behavior and attitudewith andfor youth and co-workers.Controlling personal feelings in front of youth.
• Follows Medication Policy, including administration, documentation on MAR, Medical FYI's and healthcare appointments.
• Is sensitive to youth history and needs.
• Usesappropriatetone of voice, speaks respectfully, and consistently treatsothersfairly.
• Meets emotional needs ofyouth:providessafeenvironment to share emotional needs/concerns, offers individual attention, listens without judgement.
• Meets physical needs of youth by providing daily exerciseopportunityand encouraging healthy habits.
• Meets medical needs of youth: contacting physicians when needed,follows all medical plans outlined in MAR,relaying health concerns to necessary personnel and scheduling appointments.
• Buildsrelationshipwith youth in care,maintainsrelationshipeven whenredirectingbehaviors.
• Is trauma informedand isknowledgeable about common mental health diagnosis ofresidents.
• Continuallyseekskill improvement and training materials relevant to job duties.
• Teachesyouth basic life skills such as good personal hygiene, laundry, and cleanliness.
• Ensures cottage chores are completed daily by youth,teachesand modelsnecessary skills in this area andassistswhen necessary.
• Personally,helpsclean the cottage when neededin order tomaintainaclean livingenvironment for the youth (including but not limited todishes, trash, floors, and bathrooms).
• Meets twice a month withprimary to reviewgoals andobjectives.
• Handles crisis situations and interventions appropriately.Includingfollowingprocedures for Serious Incident Reporting.
• Follows policyregardingnotification of guardians or emergency on-callcaseworkers when needed(all notifications within 24hours).
• Attends andactivelyparticipatesin supervision, program meetings, treatment teams, and youth staffing as needed.
• Observesprofessional boundaries with youthand co-workers.
• Reads, understands, and implements licensure standards and HTFS policy.
• Participates in change of dutyat each shift changeand completes all items on checklist, ensuring proper documentation and notification have been made.
• Isdependable and performs duties withoutrequiringprompting.
• Documentation istimely,professional, thorough, complete, and provides adequate detail.
• Presents toshifton time,well-groomed,andin accordance withHTFS dress code.
• Promotes and contributes to a supportive team atmosphere.
• Prepares for andfacilitatesdaily cottage groups.
• Comply withall applicable state and agency policies and regulations.
• Ensure all Serious Incident Reports from the shift have been completed.
• Promote a see it, own it, and solve it environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Abachelor’sdegree in human services(Strongly Preferred)
• Have anassociate’sdegree and 3 months experience workingdirectlywith children
• Have ahigh school diploma or GED and 6 months experience workingdirectlywith children.
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have knowledge of adolescent behaviors andappropriate boundarieswith clients.
• Possessa good drivingrecord with a valid driver’s license.
• Be able to pass a criminal background check.