UC Program Youth Treatment Specialist Aide

Wedgwood Christian Services•Grand Rapids, MI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Baraka Unaccompanied Children (UC) Home's Long-Term Foster Care program offers a supportive environment for adolescent boys, primarily from Latin American and African countries. Staff in this program have the unique opportunity to guide young people through a significant transition period, providing consistency, encouragement, connection, and a safe, valued space as they build their futures. The Youth Treatment Specialist Aide plays a crucial role in supporting the case management and medical teams, while also being responsible for the daily care, counseling, and supervision of adolescents within the residential treatment program. This role involves assisting in the oversight of individual resident treatment plans and managing the day-to-day operations of the residential unit.

Requirements

English speaking required; Spanish speaking preferred.
Must be 21 years of age.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Must have a valid driver's license.
Subscription to the Statement of Faith of Wedgwood Christian Services and agreement with the goal, purpose, and objectives of the agency.
Demonstrates organizational skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Must have an ability to provide excellent and compassionate customer service.
Ability to work independently with strong attention to detail.
Must be reliable with time sensitive deadlines and tasks.
Computer and typing skills sufficient to perform essential job functions.
Active motor vehicle license and maintain a reliable vehicle with adequate insurance coverage.
Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries.
Documentation of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases or the willingness to receive vaccination or seeking an exemption.

Nice To Haves

Additional education and/or certification in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or a related field preferred.
Prior experience supervising adolescents with emotional/behavioral disorders preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide transportation to clients for medical appointments, legal appointments, hearings, and other social agencies.
Assist with intake and discharge related transportation, including state-to-state travel for reunification with a sponsor.
Assist the case management team with administrative tasks as needed.
Provide supervision of youth and complete all required YTS activities.
Ensure professional boundaries are established and always maintained.
Maintain an adequate knowledge of trauma and attend continuous training in the Sanctuary Model of Care.
Complete other duties as assigned.
Strive to create a therapeutic milieu: an environment marked by warmth, empathy, and respect.
Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of client treatment programs.
Facilitate and support all programs, including therapy, employment training, activities, school, transportation, etc.
Observe and monitor client behaviors and hold residents accountable using established agency interventions.
Serve as a teacher, supporter, and role model in daily interactions.
Demonstrate knowledge of and timely use of non-violent, physical crisis intervention techniques (Aegis) to physically manage residents who are in danger of harming themselves or others, including the completion of required reports.
Provide a stable, positive role model for residents; be able to assume an authoritative role while maintaining a primary helping relationship with residents.
Respect others and understand their needs and feelings, regardless of race, social, ethnic, and religious background; have an attitude and aptitude for providing nurturance, being patient, and accepting others.
Oversee general health and wellness of clients, including assisting with meals, physical activities, clothing/personal hygiene supplies, medical, dental, vision, and hygiene care; provide first aid or CPR if required; schedule appointments as assigned.
Dispense medications at prescribed intervals as assigned.
Transport residents to scheduled appointments, activities, work, meetings, etc. as needed.
Maintain neat, accurate records and reports of all activities carried out in the management of the residential program.
Support the maintenance of a clean, orderly home; supervise and participate with residents in completing assigned duties and meeting defined housekeeping standards.
Report all personal and physical property damage to appropriate administrative personnel using established reports and procedures.
Regular participation in supervision meetings and team meetings for the sharing of ideas, feedback and department planning.
Seek and solicit feedback.
Provide feedback to the Supervisor for staff evaluations.
Responsible for timely Quality Assurance compliance as related to employee’s roles and functions.
Observe professional confidentiality: protect the rights of residents and their families and abide within the guidelines of the agency Confidentiality Policy.
Other duties as assigned coordinated with the home supervisor, assistant supervisor, or shift supervisor.

Benefits

403(b) retirement plan with employer match
Medical Plans with great coverage options
Free supplemental virtual PCP care with medical plan
Flexible Spending Accounts
Health Savings Accounts
Dental and Vision plans
Pet insurance
Legal insurance
A Locally Partnered Employee Assistance Program
Competitive paid time off
Direct deposit
Federal Student Loan Forgiveness through PSLF
Paid Holidays
Short term disability
Long term disability
Life insurance up to 2x your annual salary
No-cost, employer paid training and re-certification provided to staff
Access to Wedgwood's full gymnasium and state-of-the art 24-hour wellness center
Access to walking trail that leads around the beautiful campus.
Eligible for application and tuition fee discounts for several local colleges and universities through community partnerships.