Student Life Associate - Dubuque
Status: Non-Exempt
Purpose: To function as an integral member of a program team by serving as role model, parental figure, and educator to the youth in residential education.
Qualifications
High School diploma or equivalent required. Must be at least 18 years of age. Experience working with at risk- adolescents is preferred. Bachelor's degree in a social science field strongly preferred. Valid driver's license, proof of adequate automobile insurance and meet agency driving requirements preferred or required depending on program needs. National Career Readiness Certificate preferred. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Reportability: The Student Life Associate reports to and is directly accountable to the program manager.
Scope: This position has impact on all of the clients in his/her assigned facility. Occasionally the Student Life Associate will also have a direct impact on the clients in the agency's residential education programs. Clients in the Adolescent Residential Education/Emergency Youth Shelter programs are generally 12 to 17 years old.
Skills
The Student Life Associate must have the ability and personality characteristics to and abilities: establish and maintain a therapeutic, growth producing relationship with each client. It is important that this individual evidence the strength, judgment, and maturity to effectively control the environment and promote a sense of safety and security among the clients entrusted to his/ her care. The Student Life Associate must acquire an understanding of each client's developmental history, family dynamics, offending history, substance abuse problems and care plan goals. He/ she must also have the ability to integrate and utilize this information when implementing each client's case plan.
The Student Life Associate must possess the written and verbal skills to effectively communicate with his/ her co-workers and the youth in residence. The Student Life Associate must have the motivation and energy to interact with the clients in a variety of settings and enthusiastically participate in the recreation and activities program. The Student Life Associate must be grounded in an understanding of cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation of children and adolescents.
Relationships: The Student Life Associate is a team member in the facility to which he/ she is assigned. The Student Life Associate must establish and maintain open lines of communication with all direct care, supervisory, administrative, and support staff within the agency. The Student Life Associate will be responsible for carrying out the directions of the program coordinator in the absence of the manager. It is also important that the Student Life Associate must conduct themselves professionally when dealing with clients, their families and with individuals outside the organization during the course of their work. It is essential that the Student Life Associate will treat the clients, families, his/ her colleagues, and other professionals with dignity and respect at all times.
Principle Responsibilities
To cultivate a meaningful relationship with each client in residence.
To understand what attitudes and conduct on the worker's part will be most conducive to healthy emotional development of the clients.
To model a respectful, caring, calm demeanor in all interactions with clients.
To understand and respect unique cultural, religious, or situational influences which may impact individual clients' frame of reference.
To participate as part of an interdisciplinary team in the formulation and design of each client's individual care plan.
To provide written input concerning each client's progress as requested.
To provide verbal input regarding the implementation of each client's care plan at team meeting.
To be responsible for implementation of each client's care plan and short term needs.
To assume Prime Worker responsibilities.
To oversee completion of orientation checklist.
To meet weekly with client to provide feedback on progress on Level checklist, treatment goals and assist in completion of assigned treatment related work.
To complete monthly treatment plans reviews in a timely and objective manner.
To complete progress reports in a well written, objective and in a timely manner.
To complete UR Review forms (i.e., admission, continued stay and discharge) within specified time limits.
To distribute Satisfaction Surveys to client, parent and worker within one week prior to discharge.
To complete Coalition Data Collection Form within 72 hours of discharge and forward to Program Supervisor.
To help the clients cultivate appropriate social, behavioral, and interpersonal skills and attitudes necessary to community living and adjustment.
To set and enforce behavioral limits for the clients.
To guide and instruct the clients in the development of problem solving skills.
To understand and implement agency guidelines regarding behavior management techniques including physical restraint.
To communicate and document pertinent information regarding each client and all significant events impacting the program during each shift.
To complete the daily log, individual logs, significant events sheet, medication records, cash accounts, and other forms of documentation according to individual program policy and procedures.
To verbally communicate to other staff during each shift all information necessary to the functioning of the program.
To contact case managers to provide weekly update on clients progress and for significant events as required.
To implement the therapeutic Recreation and Activities program.
To provide the Recreation and Activities Coordinator with input regarding the development of the therapeutic Recreation Program.
To actively promote and encourage the therapeutic Recreation and Activities program through participation and instruction.
To supervise, assist, and instruct the clients in the constructive use of leisure time.
To stimulate and encourage attainment of each client's education goals.
To actively assist the clients with homework or school assignments.
To ensure that sufficient time is structured into each day for the completion of homework or school assignments.
To maintain daily communication with On Campus School and regular follow up with off campus schools as needed.
To ensure that the health care needs of each child are met.
To dispense medication as assigned and trained.
To schedule and keep accurate records of all medical appointments and procedures.
To accompany the clients to medical and dental appointments, providing support and explaining procedures in understandable terms.
To contact the Residential Nurse or On-Call Nurse when health concerns occur on individual clients.
To contact pharmacy of medication needs and identifying medication.
To accept responsibility for the physical care of the clients.
To supervise, assist, and instruct the clients in their personal hygiene.
To encourage and instruct the clients in the development of healthy nutritional habits.
To offer information and education on health related issues.
To perform routine maintenance tasks including minor housekeeping in a timely manner.
To maintain and promote a teamwork relationship with co-workers, supervisors, agency administrators, and other professionals.
To respect the ideas of others.
To maintain program consistency.
To respect and follow established lines of authority.
To support consensus decisions, and contribute to their formulation.
To attend all staff orientation, in-service training, conferences, workshops, and other educational opportunities as assigned.
To attend all scheduled training.
To complete all necessary documentation relating to attendance, certification, and evaluation.
To present program content to other agency staff as assigned.
To accept responsibility for the cleanliness and upkeep of the facility.
To supervise the clients on daily room care and completion of house duties.
To encourage cl
