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Job Specification
Position Title: ON CALL CHILD & YOUTH THERAPIST
Job Code: OPSEU - Child Care Worker 2, 09510
Job ID: 22165

Purpose of Position:
To provide direct care, treatment and education to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in a group home or classroom setting using the principles of positive behavioral supports and behavior management.

Duties/Responsibilities:
l. Working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, performs duties related to clinical program by:
- designing and implementing programs involving changes which promote independence in life skills, social, leisure and vocational skills and other adaptive behaviour areas for potential integration in the community i.e. employment;
- providing direct care and therapeutic treatment in a residential or school based setting by assisting clients with basic academic skills and basic/advanced life skills such as personal hygiene, toilet training, dressing etc.;
- setting and reviewing goals, recording pertinent progress data for individuals with behavioral disorders;
- organizing/ supervising family visits, in residence or family home, providing feedback to parents, teaching child management techniques; accompanying individuals to appointments/family functions such as birthday, anniversary etc.;
- supporting and ensuring all daily programs and procedures of all clients are carried out;
- planning, developing and participating in appropriate programming activities for clients such as community integration, swimming; attending day/overnight camp trips;
- providing case coordination by planning, writing, attending/conducting review conferences for plan of care, preparing/updating clinical recording;
- advocating for individuals rights and needs; communicating/interacting effectively with team members, representing the program on projects/committees, working collaboratively with other stakeholders such as agencies, school board partners e.g. transitioning individuals to other environments;
- reporting to the Front Line Supervisor on a regular basis for consultation, supervision, appraisal of treatment programs;
- assessing available resources to meet programming needs and arranging with the Manager for their provision;
- following successful completion of the Medication Training Program, administers prescribed medication under the guidance of nursing staff; performing First Aid treatment and other measures such as CPR if required; handling individual behavioural and emotional crises using approved de-escalation and physical intervention techniques;
- performing housekeeping duties to meet acceptable standards of cleanliness and related duties such as preparing/cooking meals, laundry, grocery and clothing shopping; removing any immediate hazards and reporting structural equipment problems;
- maintaining awareness of new developments in autism, developmental disorders and related treatment modalities by attending and participating in training and staff development;
- shift coordinator duties as required.
2. Provides technical supervision/training to new staff, students and volunteers by:
- providing orientation, technical supervision and training i.e. behavior management techniques, treatment and teaching strategies;
- supervising and evaluating the work of placement students.
3. Performs administrative duties such as:
- completing, faxing and filing SORs and SIR logs;
- requisitioning supplies, maintaining work schedules, mail distribution, maintenance requests, requests for clients` allowances;
4. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge:
Job requires knowledge of normal and abnormal development and treatment approaches (e.g. behaviour management) in children and adolescents, in order to identify strengths and needs of individuals with developmental, psychological and mental health disorders and to implement specialized therapeutic programs, behaviour management and other child management intervention strategies.
Job requires knowledge of First Aid and CPR to handle emergency medical problems; pharmacology (the properties and reactions in relation to their therapeutic value) to administer medication; knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and de-escalation to handle behavioural, emotional crises; knowledge of relevant legislation such as Child and Family Services Act, Ministry/Facility policies, procedures, guidelines and directives to ensure the provision of appropriate care and treatment for children and adolescents.

Staffing and Licensing Requirements:
Job requires a Child and Youth Worker (CYW) diploma or a Developmental Service Worker (DSW) diploma or equivalent. Current certification in First Aid and CPR.

Skills:
Job requires analytical skills to assess, determine and identify abnormal behavior in individuals with emotional, developmental or behavioural disorders. Reasoning skills to reach consensus with members of multi-disciplinary team on treatment approach of individual. Oral communication skills to interview and counsel individuals, parents and guardian (s), to review and communicate individuals progress to members of multi-disciplinary team, to liaise with parents, guardian (s), and to advocate on behalf of individuals with community service providers. Written communication skills to prepare assessment reports of individuals for team meetings based on observation and data related to individuals progress; to write case notes and to record accident, injury and unusual occurrences affecting individuals. Interpersonal skills to interact and communicate effectively with team members, establish and develop therapeutic relationships with children, adolescents and families, counsel individuals and encourage the development of life and social skills. Job requires sensitivity and empathy to discuss difficult issues such as placement or to resolve difficult parent/child relationships. Physical co-ordination and dexterity is required in order to assist individuals in their personal care e.g. dressing or bathing. Ability to administer First Aid or CPR in emergency situations, physically restrain aggressive individuals and participate in physical activities, such as sports, swimming. Ability to work shifts (days, evenings, nights) including weekends and/or such flexible hours as relates to program needs. Ability to travel within service area.

Freedom of Action:
Job requires working within established policies and procedures, guidelines and directives. Latitude is exercised in implementing specific treatment strategies in accordance with individuals treatment plan. Work is monitored by review of written reports, completion of project assignment by target dates, and results presented at the multidisciplinary review meetings. Job requires referring complex cases, sudden or unusual changes in individuals behaviour, e.g. extreme “acting out” behaviour and anomalous situations, e.g. serious occurrences resulting in injury to either individuals or staff, to supervisor/manager. Job requires referring problems e.g. resource issues, equipment requirements/failures or technical problems in individuals therapy, to supervisor/manager.