Direct Care Worker

Compass Connections•San Antonio, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Compass Connections is a Texas-based non-profit organization with over a century of collective child welfare experience, dedicated to impacting and meeting the needs of the community’s most vulnerable children and families. They provide residential care, community-based support, foster care, and adoption services, and are recognized as a national leader in connecting, strengthening, and transforming families globally. The Direct Care Worker role involves providing sustained and uninterrupted direct supervision of children, ensuring their safety and well-being, teaching constructive behavior and life skills, assisting with homework, and maintaining an orderly and clean living environment. This position requires adherence to federal and state regulatory guidelines, agency policies, and professional ethical standards, including working evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma, or equivalent
First aid certification
CPR certification
Emergency behavior intervention certification
1-year employment experience in the child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents in a social service setting and/or training in a related human services field
Pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug screens throughout employment
Provide proof of work eligibility status upon request
Pass a pre-employment and biennial criminal background checks
Demonstrate the ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics
Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with other staff members, service providers and professionals
Demonstrate the ability to provide crisis intervention according to training provided by Compass Connections when needed to maintain a safe environment
Demonstrate the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times
Demonstrate the ability to maintain computer literacy required to meet the responsibilities of the position
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively and without intensive supervision both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team
Demonstrate a working knowledge of all Compass Connections policies and procedures
Receive an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved exemption as a medical or religious accommodation

Nice To Haves

2-year associate degree from accredited program/institution, or two or more years of college-level course work in a related human services field
2 plus years’ related experience and/or training in a related human services field

Responsibilities

Meet all federal and state regulatory guidelines and standards that are applicable to this position.
Document all serious incidents, daily progress, and activities completely, accurately and in a timely manner and in compliance with agency policies and procedures.
Assist with orientation of new children and staff.
Provide input into development of treatment plans as appropriate or requested.
Use positive child management techniques including verbal redirection, de-escalation, and containment.
Plan, organize and supervise activities for children in accordance with the daily activity schedule.
Teach constructive behavior and social skills, realistic problem-solving behaviors, responsible time and money management, conversational English, personal hygiene, and life skills.
Assist children with homework assignments.
Maintain an orderly and clean children’s living area including assisting in the household and children’s laundry, overseeing daily chores, identifying routine maintenance work/repair, and reporting it to the Unit Manager.
Maintain and update records regarding children’s clothing and personal items.
Maintain a secure campus environment by making rounds as required, and by using proper application of radio communication protocols including responding to all radio calls.
Take actions to promote positive interaction between children and encourage children to take responsibility in the daily routine of the facility.
Model culturally and socially desired behaviors while explaining the behaviors to children to facilitate learning and replication of the behaviors.
Work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed or requested by position supervisor.
Implement Compass Connections safety protocols including evacuating with children and other staff in case of an emergency.
Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
Maintain Compass Connections professional and ethical standards of conduct outlined in Compass Connections employee handbook including demonstrating respect for agency staff, children, and community members and complying with required dress code at all times.
Provide sustained and uninterrupted direct supervision of the children assigned to the worker from the start of the assigned shift until relieved.
Follow the instructions of medical/clinical staff regarding each child and inform Unit Manager of information impacting the basic health and well-being of children assigned to the worker.
Communicate in a positive and respectful manner with children, families and all agency staff including supervisors, co-workers, therapists, student interns, and volunteers.
Frequently traverse from one area of the facility to another both indoors and outdoors as needed to provide direct supervision of children.
Effectively communicate behavioral expectations and program regulations to children and enforce compliance with regulations and expectations by all children assigned to the worker.
Complete all required documentation prior to completion of shift.
Meet all pre-determined deadlines required by program supervisor and federal partners.