Team Lead, Child & Youth Counsellor - Secure Unit

YOUTHDALE TREATMENT CENTRES • Toronto, ON

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Team Lead is a Child and Youth Counsellor in the secure unit who helps to facilitate the smooth daily operational functioning of the unit. The Team Lead collaborates with the program’s inter-professional team and the Clinical Operations Manager to provide effective coordination of client-centered treatment, which is consistent with Youthdale’s strategic directions. This position is part of the Bargaining Unit. This posting is for a replacement position within our organization.

Requirements

• College diploma or university degree in child and youth work or relevant field is required
• Minimum three years’ experience in a high-risk live-in or inpatient setting with population presenting criminogenic, cognitive impairment and/or mental health challenges
• Experience working with diverse communities
• Understanding of the complex issues facing children, young people and families
• Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the experience to supervise and guide clinical staff, make critical decisions, and coordinate the treatment team effectively.
• Experience in evidence-based practices for high-risk children and adolescents with criminogenic and/or mental health problems, including behavioural modification strategies, learning theories, counselling skills, risk assessment, crisis prevention and management and legislative requirements
• Able to safely and effectively manage behavioural crisis situations and respond in a trauma-informed approach
• Requires a working knowledge of professional, community and facility resources available to assist the child/family
• Strong experience in and adherence of security protocols as required for a high-risk crisis setting
• Strong administrative and organizational skills
• First Aid/CPR certification required upon hiring
• Completion of SMG training required upon hiring
• Skills in Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention
• Excellent communication (written and oral), listening and interpersonal skills
• Good understanding of the rights and responsibilities of children, admission requirements; and live-In licensing requirements.
• Ability to manage many tasks simultaneously; ability to prioritize needs and risks on a minute-by-minute basis while on shift
• Demonstrates experience in range of crisis prevention and intervention approaches
• Utilizes SMG techniques appropriately
• Ability to remain calm during crisis and utilize de-escalation techniques
• Demonstrates experience of the dynamics and impact of trauma, child abuse, loss and grief, substance abuse, chronic learning problems, attachment difficulties, and other issues, and their treatment implication
• Demonstrates experience about the primary psychotropic medications

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working with children or young people in a youth justice/mental health treatment setting is preferred.
• Knowledge and working experience with evidence based practices and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is preferred
• Flexible and creative negotiation skills in solving problems

Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for the communication, liaison and coordination of client admissions, discharges, transfers and appointments during the assigned shifts and for future shifts as appropriate.
• Lead the management of the program milieu, considering the preferences, needs, and safety of clients and staff
• Ensure the familiarity of clients, families, and visitors with the program
• Facilitate service delivery, ensuring a high standard of quality and safety
• Assesses and understands client mental health needs through a trauma informed lens and formulates methods of intervention in collaboration with the team
• Implements evidence-informed treatment interventions tailored to the unique needs of the client’s individual treatment program including: recognizing the stages of behavioral escalation and responding in a clinically appropriate manner to deescalate the behavior; developing strategies to reduce the clients concerning behaviors, and supporting academic/vocational activities
• Provide highly individualized and intensive therapy for youth with severe mental health challenges, addressing issues such as self-harm, suicidal ideation, and aggression.
• Carries out the structure and routine of the program and ensure all clients receive a high standard of care and therapeutic intervention.
• Communicate with team to assess need for crisis/physical intervention.
• Support clients and team during crisis situation and maintain clear and thorough documentation related to incidents
• Facilitates debriefing with clients and staff following crisis/physical intervention
• Understand and adhere to strict CYFSA regulations regarding the use of physical restraints, using them only as a last resort.
• Following successful completion of the Medication Training Program, administers regular scheduled psychotropic medications and treatments, as prescribed by a physician or Nurse Practioner, and in accordance with the Youthdale’s Medication Procedure.
• Provide direct client care and supervision, including: Provision of individual care as per the treatment plan, developing and supporting their engagement in programs
• Booking health care appointments, clothing and personal needs inventories
• Conduct thorough and ongoing suicide risk assessments for high-acuity patients and develop & implement safety plans.
• Supporting the client’s preparations for transition and discharge as per the agreed plan including connecting with community resources, completion of discharge documentation
• Regularly reassess and adapt treatment plans and safety plans based on changes in the client's condition or circumstances.
• Ensuring safety requirements are met including Emergency drills, night safety checks, noting and reporting structural and/or equipment, maintenance, cleanliness issues; removing any immediate hazards
• Ensuring evidence and data including Greenspace assessments, client and caregiver satisfaction surveys and any other required statistics are collected and documented as per policies and procedures
• Carry a client assignment, with a fluctuating caseload as dependent on the program milieu, census and staffing complement
• Develops, evaluates and ensures evidence based programming, life skills and recreational activities are being programmed.
• Ensure evidenced based programming and recreational activities are being delivered
• Ensure client menus meet agency standards
• Utilize and facilitate the effective and efficient use of resources in a client-centered approach in collaboration with the team and others
• Ensure that the assignment is clear and reflects the principles of accountability for care – i.e. each client at all times must have an assigned CYC
• Ensure that client assignments are accurate and properly recorded as per established processes e.g. assignment sheets are posted and stored in a designated location following the shift
• Coordinate and assign breaks, break coverage, close observations and client appointments/activities off the program for relevant staff
• Apprise others of sick calls and follow procedures to fill gaps
• Link new staff, including agency staff with appropriate program resources and facilitate orientation to the program, ensuring they become familiar with all procedures/processes
• Provide training around policies and documentation standards when needed to staff
• Coordinate unit rounds and case conferences as appropriate or applicable
• Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for clinical staff, keeping them current with the latest research and best practices in treating high-acuity youth.
• Liaise with Manager/Supervisor regarding client/care and staffing issues; i.e. needs for continuous observation, room searches, transfers, etc.
• Communicates with the RN or RPN throughout the shift regarding client’s requiring medical care, and updates the RN/RPN regarding community outings, home visits, etc. (ASU/TAU)
• Contacts on-call Management and/or Psychiatrist (units) to provide updates on any significant incidents that have occurred while on shift, or external emergency services
• Coordinate shift exchange report and is Responsible at shift change for communicating verbally as well as in the written log any significant and pertinent information regarding each client.
• Assign care and/or duties to relevant staff based on client’s care needs; i.e. pre-assign staff to respond to codes white, medication checks, etc.
• Ensure client records and all documentation are up to date and in compliance with policies and legislative requirements
• Ensures Serous Occurrence Repots and Incident Reports are complete and submitted in time
• Ensures Plan of Care and Clinical Meetings are scheduled and reports are completed appropriately as well as, facilitate communication within the program and between the program and other service areas.
• Reports and documents any matters relating to maintenance needs or environmental issues/cleanliness of program.
• Pursue ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest research and best practices in treating high-acuity youth.
• Ensure that all clinical and organizational policies and procedures are adhered to, and participate in quality improvement efforts.
• Team Lead in the Secure Unit will be required to provide coverage on other Inpatient Units on an as-needed basis

Benefits

• Fosters positive interpersonal relationships with the staff, clients, visitors, outside agencies, government officials and related professional associations.
• Maintains and adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintains and adheres to all relevant legislation.
• Maintains and adheres to security protocol of program.
• Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
• Works safely in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Agency Health and Safety Manual.
• Demonstrates experience in clinical practices, which are consistent with the mission, vision and philosophy of Youthdale Treatment Centres.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree