Youth Care Worker

HopeTree Family Services; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

HopeTree Family Services in Salem, Virginia seeks a Youth Care Worker responsible for guiding and supervising youth, overseeing physical care, and supporting goals in each service plan while maintaining professional boundaries with youth and staff.

You will plan daily activities, model positive behavior, follow medication policies, respond to crises, and help youth develop life skills such as hygiene and chores. Strong communication and reliability are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services preferred.
• Associate’s degree with 3 months direct-child care experience.
• High school diploma or GED with 6 months direct-child care experience.
• Age 21 years or older.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Supervise youth and monitor their whereabouts; perform wellness checks.
• Plan shift activities addressing physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs.
• Model appropriate behavior and maintain professional boundaries.
• Follow medication policies; document MAR and healthcare appointments.
• Provide crisis support and follow incident reporting procedures.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal (oral)

Knowledge of adolescent behaviors

Ability to maintain professional Bound

Dependable and prompt

Valid driver’s license

Criminal background check clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services

Associate’s degree with 3 months experience with children

High school diploma or GED with 6 months 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 and always knows their whereabouts. Completes wellness/mental health checks as needed to provide appropriate supervision.
• Prepares for shift by planning for activities that meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, and/or social needs of all youth in program.
• Models appropriate behavior and attitude with and for 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.
• Uses appropriate tone of voice, speaks respectfully, and consistently treats others fairly.
• Meets emotional needs of youth: provides safe environment to share emotional needs/concerns, offers individual attention, listens without judgement.
• Meets physical needs of youth by providing daily exercise opportunity and 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.
• Builds relationship with youth in care, maintains relationship even when redirecting behaviors.
• Is trauma informed and is knowledgeable about common mental health diagnosis of residents.
• Continually seek skill improvement and training materials relevant to job duties.
• Teaches youth basic life skills such as good personal hygiene, laundry, and cleanliness.
• Ensures cottage chores are completed daily by youth, teaches and models necessary skills in this area and assists when necessary.
• Personally, helps clean the cottage when needed in order to maintain a clean living environment for the youth (including but not limited to dishes, trash, floors, and bathrooms).
• Meets twice a month with primary to review goals and objectives.
• Handles crisis situations and interventions appropriately. Including following procedures for Serious Incident Reporting.
• Follows policy regarding notification of guardians or emergency on-call caseworkers when needed (all notifications within 24 hours).
• Attends and actively participates in supervision, program meetings, treatment teams, and youth staffing as needed.
• Observes professional boundaries with youth and co-workers.
• Reads, understands, and implements licensure standards and HTFS policy.
• Participates in change of duty at each shift change and completes all items on checklist, ensuring proper documentation and notification have been made.
• Is dependable and performs duties without requiring prompting.
• Documentation is timely, professional, thorough, complete, and provides adequate detail.
• Presents to shift on time, well-groomed, and in accordance with HTFS dress code.
• Promotes and contributes to a supportive team atmosphere.
• Prepares for and facilitates daily cottage groups.
• Comply with all 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

• A bachelor’s degree in human services (Preferred)
• Have an associate’s degree and 3 months experience working directly with children
• Have a high school diploma or GED and 6 months experience working directly with children.
• Be 21 years of age or older
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have knowledge of adolescent behaviors and appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Possess a good driving record with a valid driver’s license.
• Be able to pass a criminal background check.