Youth Care Practitioner

COMPETITION # YCP 26-031 (PT) (24 Hours Bi-Weekly, Overnight, Weekends)

YCP 26-033 (FT) (80 Hours Bi-Weekly, Days, Evenings, Weekends, Shift Work)

YCP 26-034 (PT) (40 Hours Bi-Weekly, Days, Evenings, Weekends, Shift Work)

POSITION TYPE PERMANENT, FULL-TIME & PART-TIME

The Youth Care Practitioner (YCP) focuses on the developmental needs of the children and youth they work with. To ensure holistic care, YCPs use their skills and knowledge in assessing client and program needs, designing and implementing programs and planned environments, integrating developmental, preventive and therapeutic requirements as outlined by individual care plans. They work as part of a multi-disciplinary team made up of clinicians, social workers, psychologists, foster care workers, teachers and other professionals, integrating the efforts of all these specialized professionals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitates the optimal growth and development of each individual child or young person to achieve their full potential.
• Implement strategies such as planned daily activities, coordinated treatment interventions, structured environments, and organized recreational and social activities.
• Develops an awareness of each child's individual psychological, educational, physical, spiritual, and social needs and actively promotes these on behalf of the child.
• Encourages and facilitates family-focused and culture-valuing support structures and programming.
• Helps youth to identify personal strengths to promote growth, self-worth and a sense of belonging.
• Maintains the living environment in a safe manner that meets or exceeds licensing standards; this will include familiarizing with licensing standards, preparing meals, completing routine cleaning of the home/unit, etc.
• Observes, evaluates, and records daily events in order to ensure continuity and consistency in treatment planning and implementation – includes accurately maintaining individual logs and communication logs as per licensing standards.
• Engages in behaviour management and crisis intervention following Marymound policies and the youth’s safety plan, using NVCI and ASIST, which are bona fide occupational requirements for this role.
• Administers medication, following strict protocols and accurately completing required documentation.
• Demonstrates an active commitment towards professional growth and advancement through participation in training, workshops, etc. and the ability to flexibly and creatively adapt work to maintain best practices.
• Actively participates in fire and disaster safety response and prevention duties in accordance with policy and licensing standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Certificate/diploma in Child & Youth Care, or applicable post-secondary education (i.e. social work, psychology, counselling, etc.) is preferred.
• Experience providing physical, psychological, and social support to at-risk youth or other vulnerable populations is preferred.
• Must be familiar with the developmental, educational, emotional, social and recreational needs of children and youth.
• Experience working from a trauma-informed perspective is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in issues and support related to addictions, harm reduction strategies, and/or sexual exploitation would be considered an asset.
• Valid First Aid/CPR is required.
• MUST have mental health/crisis training certifications and NVCI (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention), as these are bona fide occupational requirements.
• MUST have ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills), as it is a bona fide occupational requirement
• Valid class 5I (intermediate) driver’s license, and satisfactory driver’s abstract.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record and clear Vulnerable Sector checks.
• Clear Child Abuse Registry and satisfactory Prior Contact checks.
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, or willingness to learn, including participating in cultural practices, programming and ceremonies alongside youth.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Basic computer knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office software.
• Physically able to perform the duties of the job.