Youth Treatment Specialist - Jefferson County Youth Residential Program; 3rd Shift

Position: Youth Treatment Specialist - Jefferson County Youth Residential Program (3rd Shift)
Youth Treatment Specialist 3rd Shift Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) Specialized Services Program – Jefferson County Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility

Position Summary:

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) is excited to announce openings for Youth Treatment Specialists in Jefferson County. This position works in a therapeutic milieu environment serving youth at a State Certified Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility (YCSF) serving male, female and gender non-conforming youth, ages 8-17, supporting youth through a mental health crisis that has resulted in a youth needing a safe space to reside for up to 30 days.

The Youth Treatment Specialist 3rd shift works overnight ensuring all youth and staff are safe and following nighttime procedures. This can include tasks such as completing bed checks, monitoring youth on suicide protocol, following sleep hygiene and bed wetting protocols, waking youth, and coaching them to complete activities of daily living, administering medication teaching skills. Other tasks such as completing building tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and inventory, preparing meals, putting together educational materials, and other programming material to prepare for the days schedule.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Perform third shift room checks verifying the status of each youth, ensuring youth are asleep, not distressed and are safe. Follow clinical recommendations for safety such as supervising suicide protocols and safety plans. Serve as a positive role model and work alongside a Lead Youth Treatment Specialist in the milieu supporting therapeutic interactions by coaching skill use throughout morning activities, modeling appropriate behavior, teaching, and reinforcing use and generalization of skills through a token economy system.

Use evidence-based best practices for youth with mental health, substance use and life needs. This includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, youth centered, and culturally reverent approaches while celebrating youth’s development and identity. Calmly and responsibly respond during crisis situations and intervene to de-escalate utilizing Principles of Stabilization and Control (POSC) for non-escalation, de-escalation, and possible physical intervention to maintain safety in the environment for youth and staff when preventing or responding to a crisis.

Attend mandatory meetings including but not limited to staff meetings, new employee and ongoing trainings, individual supervision, team meetings, and other clinical staffing as required. Participate and meet the DHS
34 clinical supervision requirements of one hour of supervision for every thirty hours of face-to-face contact. Use motivation and engagement strategies to encourage youth involved in systems to participate in treatment programming and involvement in program activities. Always provide active sight and sound supervision to youth and families with complex needs. Report any observed youth behavior for risk to self and others or behavioral changes within the treatment milieu.

Follow policies and procedures to communicate with supervisory and/or clinical staff regarding appropriate support as needed. Interact with youth in a professional, positive, and therapeutic manner according to policy, procedure, training, and agency values. Assist with inventory, building organization, food preparation, daily programming set up, including educational materials and medication administration. Work closely as part of a team to maintain clear communication with other staff to ensure youth receive high quality and seamless care.

Observe and document youth participation in activities and interactions with others per program standards (youth logs and youth related reports) in an electronic database. Complete building or structural functions as required, assisting with meal preparation, general building cleanliness, laundry, and organization. Monitor and support youth in completing activities of daily living such as laundry, chores and health and hygiene standards.

Administer medication to youth following the CBRF medication administration required…