MSD Residential Child & Youth Care Practitioner

Introduction

Anticipated openings for the  School Year. The Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) is a diverse, bilingual community partnered with families to provide an equitable and exemplary education in a nurturing, engaging, and challenging environment that encourages students to achieve personal excellence and become lifelong learners. We are looking for dedicated individuals to serve in the education of the children at MSD.

MSD, Frederick Campus, 101 Clarke Place, Frederick, MD 21705

A Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner (RCYCP) at MSD is responsible for providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing students by serving as a mentor and role model, offering advice and assistance with everyday life skills, and providing referrals to other staff. Employees receive general supervision from an RCYCP Supervisor or designated administrator and may be asked to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and other campuses.

Employees may also be required to travel for events such as field trips, workshops, and recreational activities.

• Maintain a safe environment and ensure students’ safety at all times.
• Take responsibility for students at all times.
• Make parent or guardian and teacher contact at least once a week, or as required by supervisor.
• Inform parents of student development through telephone calls, letters, and meetings.
• Interact with students to offer guidance, discuss problems, and serve as a mentor and role model for assimilation into deaf culture.
• Teach and assist students in completing daily and weekly schedules, including homework, sleep, eating, cleanliness of living areas, and personal hygiene.
• Document and report student concerns to the RCYCP Supervisor.
• Assess emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate contacts and referrals, and provide interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available.
• Develop, implement, and monitor student activities.
• Maintain weekly reviews of students’ progress and developments in the dorm with the team.
• Participate in the development of educational programs and workshops.
• Supplement classroom instruction by tutoring students in academic subjects.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of students and school personnel information.
• Participate in appropriate professional development.
• Make periodic safety checks of doors and windows in student residences.
• Provide support while traveling to and from events such as extracurricular activities, workshops, and field trips.
• May be subject to call-in based on staffing needs.
• Perform other related duties.

Education:

• Must be at least 21 years old with graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• OR At least 18 years old with possession of an Associate of Arts degree or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• One year of experience providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing youth and assisting them with everyday life skills in a student life setting.
• Additional education from an accredited college or university can substitute for the required experience at the rate of sixty credit hours.

• Knowledge of the physical, emotional, and social aspects of deafness.
• Understanding of legal and ethical issues in residential care.
• Post-secondary training in counseling, child development, or education.
• Experience at a residential school for the deaf or another residential childcare facility.
• Experience in teaching and caring for children and youth with and without disabilities.
• Possession of Maryland medication administration or equivalent certification.
• Ability to learn emergency medical procedures.
• Ability to maintain a dormitory environment conducive to positive student development.
• Ability to work harmoniously with students and other employees.
• Hold or obtain a valid driver license.