Youth Care Worker - Cook

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Care Worker-Residential Cook is responsible for preparing meals and snacks for the cottages to which they are assigned and for assisting other cottage staff in the supervision and support of cottage residents. The Residential Youth Care Worker delivers structured, daily therapeutic programming for youth under the guidance of an assigned supervisor. This role involves engaging youth in meaningful therapeutic interactions and skill-building activities while accurately documenting all interactions in accordance with Medicaid Rule 140.

Utilizing Hoyleton’s CARE practice model and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), the Youth Care Worker fosters strong developmental relationships, promotes youth growth, and maintains a safe, supportive, and positive therapeutic environment.

The Youth Care Worker-Residential Cook is responsible for preparing meals and snacks for the cottages to which they are assigned and for assisting other cottage staff in the supervision and support of cottage residents. The Residential Youth Care Worker delivers structured, daily therapeutic programming for youth under the guidance of an assigned supervisor. This role involves engaging youth in meaningful therapeutic interactions and skill-building activities while accurately documenting all interactions in accordance with Medicaid Rule 140.

Utilizing Hoyleton’s CARE practice model and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), the Youth Care Worker fosters strong developmental relationships, promotes youth growth, and maintains a safe, supportive, and positive therapeutic environment.

• Prepares nutritious and attractive meals and snacks, according to the menus provided, that meets state health standards, food service regulations, ISBE standards, and supervisory directives.
• Plans and orders food and related supplies for meal preparation, including menus for evening and weekend meals that are prepared by staff on duty.
• Prepares special meals at various holidays and special events throughout the year.
• Assures proper storage of all food items; disposes of unused food at expiration date or an appropriate.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and sanitation standards in compliance with local health department regulations.

• Provides direction and oversight to cottage residents to assist them to develop cooking and cleaning skills in accordance with their capacity. Respond to behavioral issues when they occur. May be required to participate in client restraint.
• Maintains accurate and timely records in accordance with agency policies and state regulatory requirements.
• Engages youth in daily therapeutic activities that help youth develop social, emotional, and other life skills, including the ability to have fun and play, consistent with each youth’s individualized treatment goals and CARE principles.
• Ensures the safety and well-being of youth, co-workers, and self by:
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with youth, colleagues, and supervisors;
• Understanding each youth’s trauma history and triggers;
• Anticipating crises and utilizing TCI de-escalation techniques;
• Implementing TCI-compliant manual restraint when youth or staff face immediate serious risk of harm; and
• Supporting relationship repair through TCI Life Space Interviews following crises.
• Completes daily hours of care by documenting Medicaid-compliant therapeutic interventions.
• Participates with their supervisor and youth in planning schedules of activities for each shift.
• Engages in reflective practice by participating in weekly individual and/or group supervision with supervisor.
• Participates in clinical staffings,…