Direct Care Worker

WESTCARE INC • Vega Baja, PR

4d • $11 - $11 • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Care Worker is responsible for ensuring that patients receive appropriate services and performing other related duties as assigned. The role supports a therapeutic community (TC) by helping implement its structure and activities, monitoring and supporting clients, and contributing to treatment and quality improvement processes. Duties include client safety and observation, group facilitation, transportation, screening and documentation, and use of crisis management and de-escalation techniques.

Requirements

• Ability to understand and implement therapeutic community concepts.
• Ability to understand and address the needs of clients with co-occurring disorders.
• Basic computer literacy, including data entry.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic community concepts and treatment principles.
• Participate as a treatment team member and implement the therapeutic community milieu by modeling and mentoring recovery behaviors, supporting the TC culture and conflict resolution, ensuring activities and structure follow guidelines, and understanding and implementing sanction and reward systems.
• Understand and use mechanisms for addressing and reporting client behaviors that create opportunities for learning and behavior change; remain actively present and aware of dynamics in the milieu, including during and outside scheduled activities.
• Maintain and demonstrate a basic understanding of co-occurring disorders, including knowledge needed to monitor mental health status and changes in symptoms.
• Monitor and observe clients, ensure their safety and well-being, and provide motivational enhancement, educational support, and guidance to help them meet therapeutic goals.
• Facilitate educational groups and understand the concepts taught.
• Transport clients to appointments, activities, and other offsite locations.
• Conduct routine and random urine and breath drug analyses, contraband searches, and other activities that help ensure the integrity of the therapeutic community; document findings.
• Conduct routine and random walkthroughs of facilities and grounds to look for contraband or other indicators affecting the therapeutic milieu.
• Use crisis management and de-escalation techniques.
• Observe, monitor, and document client medication management according to policies and procedures.
• Complete intake screenings, admission forms, and other assigned documentation.
• Complete progress notes, behavioral observations, staff logs, incident reports, and other required documentation accurately and within stated timeframes; enter data into the electronic database.
• Report and document client observations and contribute to treatment decisions concerning therapy, discipline, and privileges.
• Participate in group and individual supervision sessions, client staffings, and other directed meetings.
• Participate in mandatory training and remain current on new or revised policies, procedures, and responsibilities.
• Serve as a member of the Quality Improvement Team and conduct assigned quality improvement activities.
• Perform other duties and activities as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED