Full Time or Relief Bilingual Youth Counselor - DUCS Program

The Bilingual Youth Counselor (YC) is a member of the McEachern treatment team providing twenty-four hour shift supervision for up to twelve unaccompanied adolescent DUCS males in a residential facility designed as a therapeutic environment.  Within this setting youth receive individualized treatment, mental health services, educational and vocational services, recreation and physical education activities, and scheduled daily activities.  Youth Counselors support the Individual Treatment Plans and Strength Based Behavior Management Plans for each youth, and act in accordance with the individuals’ needs and abilities.  Youth Counselors support youth feeling safe in the program, provide transportation to meet medical and legal needs, and motivate and engage the youth to stay in and participate in their program.  The YC functions as a counselor to all residents and is assigned as primary counselor for one to three residents.  

1. Treatment Tasks
   1. Maintain a favorable living and treatment environment in which the residents live:
   
   • by insuring that youth have a safe and clean place in which to live.
   • by demonstrating to youth that they are respected and understood as individuals.
   • by demonstrating to youth that people care about them and will take care of them.
   • by demonstrating that adults can help them deal with unacceptable behavior without being punitive, retaliatory, or rejecting.
   • by demonstrating that youth will receive protection and guidance in controlling their impulses until their own controls are established.
   • by modeling appropriate behavior, language and attitudes.
   2. Participate in incorporating and supervising student interns and volunteers in performing program activities in cooperation with the volunteer coordinator.
   3. Model pleasant, positive attitude, good disposition, and appropriate humor.
   4. Demonstrate self control in stressful situations.
   5. Use preventative as opposed to reactive floor management skills.
   6. Complete a De-escalation and Restraint training within the first 45 days of employment to be eligible to be involved in the restraint of a resident if necessary.
   7. Maintain appropriate physical structure and house schedule and safety.
   8. Remain visible and available to residents at all times.
   9. Facilitate regularly scheduled groups and call groups as needed to address residential house problems and concerns.
   10. When appropriate attend court, family therapy sessions, or appointments as helpful.
   11. Assist in planning a wide range of recreational activities. Occasionally be available for extended recreational outings.
   12. Develop plans with residents for constructive use of free time.
   13. Participate in supervising classroom and participate in activities under the direction of the DUCS teacher as requested or to meet census compliance.
2. Housekeeping Tasks
   1. Teach, supervise and model various chores, including meal set-up and clean-up, room care, residence and grounds maintenance.
   2. Take initiative for and supervise residents in completing allowance chores and household tasks.
   3. Demonstrate concern and pride in the environment. Create a clean and pleasant surrounding and encourage safe and careful treatment of all agency property.
   4. Take responsibility for reporting any damage to agency property and when appropriate, discipline for damage in accord with Friends of Youth policy.
   5. Maintain linen, toiletry and clothing items. Teach, encourage and model personal hygiene.
   6. Prepare meals and snacks as necessary. Support appropriate table behavior and conversation.
   7. Maintain prescribed medications in a secure area and dispense as instructed.
   8. Assist residents with school assignments and meet with DUCS teacher/aide to review assignments and/or special instructions.
3. Monitoring Tasks
   1. Make every effort to protect and secure resident's property.
   2. Monitor residents' health, transport to medical appointments as assigned by Program Supervisor/Medication Coordinator.
   3. Monitor and document the whereabouts of all residents at all times.
   4. Report any known or suspected abuse, exploitation or neglect of residents in consultation with management to Child Protective Services and per DUCS policies and procedures.
   5. Monitor and assist Program Supervisor in training volunteers, interns and relief staff in the completion of their duties and service time.
4. Participate as a Member of the Treatment Team
   1. Assist in establishing treatment goals in various program areas consistent with agency policy, subject to review of Clinical Program Manager. Monitor performance in relation to the goals, providing feedback and modifying them as necessary.
   2. Read each treatment plan, become familiar with specific goals for each youth.
   3. Be familiar with both the agency treatment philosophy and program, as well as the individual treatment and goals for each resident.
   4. Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings.
   5. Contribute to discussions, offer input and feedback concerning both residents and co-workers.
   6. Initiate conflict resolution.
   7. Display positive morale, speak positively and objectively about the program.
   8. Attend agency or professional training, seminars, or conferences to increase professional knowledge.
   9. Encourage the involvement of family members and support persons when appropriate.
5. Primary Counselor Responsibilities
   1. Listen and respond to youth concerns on an individual basis, helping him clarify and understand his own feelings, attitudes and behaviors.
   2. Provide personal attention.
   3. Respect confidentiality.
   4. Demonstrate acceptance of, and establish a positive relationship with each youth.
   5. Interact with youth in a non-judgmental manner.
   6. Understand dynamics of teen development, and incorporate knowledge into daily interactions with youth.
   7. Take initiative to solve problems.
   8. Assist in developing and implementing individual treatment plans.
   9. Meet weekly with youth assigned to you.
   10. Maintain youth charts assuring completeness in accordance with the Table of Contents.
   11. Complete and submit all treatment plans and reports, quarterly reports, and discharge summaries to the Clinical Program Manager for approval in a timely manner.
   12. Assist the Case Manager by completing and sending to the proper authorities the required DUCS paperwork per policy and procedure.
   13. Once a month, present the youth's case in the team meeting for the purpose of reviewing and updating the individual treatment plan.
   14. Help youth develop an appropriate, healthy, supportive relationship with peers and staff. Help the resident clarify the reason for placement.
   15. Develop and implement assigned residents' treatment plans with the collaboration and approval by the CPM.
   16. In conjunction with the Case Manager and consistent with residents' treatment plans, maintain contact with those significant people in the resident's life who support his growth and have ongoing involvement in his case.
   17. Create and maintain the residents' charts.
   18. Complete any other tasks assigned by supervisors or management.
   19. Group facilitation.
   20. Learn Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and implement core modalities in milieu management.
6. Communicate Information in Verbal, Non-Verbal, Written Form, and Maintain Required Forms and Records
   1. Provide objective descriptive narrative of behavior events.
   2. Understand and separate one's own belief and value system from interpretation on behavior and events.
   3. Be straight-forward and concise in communications.
   4. Show congruency between verbal and non-verbal messages.
   5. Maintain daily communication log and milieu notes of behavior on each youth per shift.
   6. Set up accounts, log entry, and disburse allowance and earnings funds for youth consistent with DUCS guidelines.
   7. Record medication receipts and disbursements as directed by Medication Coordinator.
   8. Record fund receipts and disbursements.
   9. Assist in yearly inventory.
   10. Complete incident reports per agency and DUCS policy.
   11. Record meal counts at each meal.
   12. Complete other reports as requested by supervisor(s).
   13. Maintain vehicle mileage log.

1. Education and Experience
   1. Bachelor of Arts Degree in the social sciences area, fluency in Spanish, and Central American cultural experience preferred.
   2. One year of experience in working with emotionally disturbed youth.
   3. Must have a valid Washington State driver's license or be able to obtain one by date of employment.
   4. Employees and volunteers who operate their own or Friends of Youth vehicles on Friends of Youth business must have a safe driving record as defined by Friends of Youth. Employees and volunteers who operate their own vehicle(s) on Friends of Youth business must carry auto liability insurance that complies with the requirements of Friends of Youth.
   5. Must have a Red Cross First Aid Card, CPR and Food Handlers permit, or be able to obtain one within thirty days of employment.
   6. Must pass TB screening.
   7. Must successfully pass criminal history check (WAC 388-148-0035).
   8. Education or experience in cultural competency.
2. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   1. Knowledge of laws, policies, and ethical concerns relating to confidentiality.
   2. Knowledge of immigration court systems, legal parameters, and therapeutic/legal, interfacing with youth.
   3. Able to accept the role of authority in youth/adult relationship.
   4. Role model health, good attitude and appropriate humor.
   5. Continuing awareness of development and research in the field of youth trafficking.
   6. Know personal stressors and weaknesses, and work to overcome them.
   7. Knowledge of relevant COA standards, participation in the Quality Improvement process and knowledge of DUCS policies and procedures.
   8. Must demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences and a commitment to the value of cultural competency.

Full-time or Relief

$14 per hour to start plus benefits or Shift Rate

Program Supervisor

Renton

Open until filled

barry@friendsofyouth.org

3/12/10