Therapeutic Mentor

Classification Title: Therapeutic Mentor

Classification:Non-exempt

Reports to: Manager-Treatment Foster Care

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

This position is primarily responsible for working with a team to help support a youth in Treatment Foster Care by providing weekly mentoring services to youth designed to promote stability of placement and support to youth around child specific identified areas. This individual will help to develop a treatment service plan and work with the youth one on one to meet goals. Mentor will have weekly contact with youth in a community based setting to work on interpersonal, educational, independent living and social skills. This position requires continual contact with the Youth and Family Treatment Specialist and Manager of Treatment Foster Care and the ability to work independently. Functions as a member of the Treatment Team and advocates for youth assigned and serves as a positive role model. Individuals in this job position will be required to be trained in relevant issues that affect children in the foster care system including working from a trauma-informed and strengths based model.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Minimum of a High School diploma plus 3 years paid experience working with youth required
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services plus one year either paid internship or volunteer experience working with youth preferred.
  • Must be flexible for scheduling and able to implement treatment plan independently
  • Valid Virginia Drivers’ license and proof of insurance in compliance with driver requirement policy
  • Satisfactory Driving Record in compliance with Driver Requirement Policy
  • Access to a personal vehicle for client transport as required
  • CPR and First Aid Certification or ability to acquire certification
  • Certification in Crisis De-escalation/Behavior management CPIor ability to acquire certification
  • Ability to attend pre-service training and other required trainings
  • Good oral, written, interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to function as part of a therapeutic team
  • Ability to organize work effectively
  • Knowledge of and ability to comply with state licensing, Medicaid and other agency standards
  • Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
  • Ability to work assigned work schedule to include weekend and evening work
  • Ability to maintain records, prepare reports and required paperwork according to licensing and agency requirements in a timely manner
  • Basic computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office preferred
  • Ability to observe health and safety regulations

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions: May be required to perform any of the following duties:

  • Maintains effective communications with Youth and Family Treatment Specialistassigned to the case on a weekly basis
  • Participates in bi-weekly supervision with the Manager of Treatment Foster Care to review case and discuss treatment goals
  • Participates in developing a treatment plan for youth in conjunction with the youth’s Youth and Family Treatment Specialist to help the youth meet identified goals
  • Provides transportation for assigned youth as required
  • Ensures health, safety and well-being of youth assigned
  • Facilitates positive socialization opportunities for youth assigned
  • Works with youth over age fourteen on identified independent living goals
  • Serves as mentor or job coach to facilitate the learning of proper job behavior to achieve a successful outcome
  • Provides services geared toward the development of independent life skills as outlined in the treatment service plan
  • Works with youth on interpersonal skills that will increase stability of placement and help youth achieve goals in home, school and community setting
  • Acts as an advocate for youth in regards to identified needs for success in a community based setting
  • Participates in pertinent group supervision as deemed necessary by the Manager of Treatment Foster Care
  • Assists with promoting stability and positive relationships within the foster homes to reduce or prevent disruptions
  • Participates in treatment team meetings and other planning sessions to facilitate implementation of services to children and families
  • Conducts supervised visitation with birth family if required by the custodial agency
  • Completes narrative on each face-to-face contact with youth and submits to supervisor bi-weekly
  • Completes and submits expense sheets and time records for billing purposes bi-weekly
  • Prepares and submits special reports as requested to supervisor to document progress
  • Participates in staff development process including attending relevant evidence based and best practice trainings
  • Performs administrative tasks, including submission of expense reports, timesheets
  • Completes documentation as required by agency procedures and licensing/funding agency standards. This includes service planning file maintenance (face sheet and all other documentation for youth mentor file)
  • Maintains accurate, complete and up to date information on all cases assigned
  • As needed, supervises and documents visitation between members of youth’s birth family and youth as requested by custodial agency
  • Prepares and submits required paperwork to submit to custodial agency on supervised visitation
  • Supportsthe program’s operational philosophy, goals, and objectives congruent with the Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, Inc. (LFSVA) mission, values, vision and strategic direction
  • Other duties as assigned

SUMMARY OF PHYSICAL, SENSORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

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Therapeutic Mentor

Not Applicable

Rarely = (less than ½ hour per day)

Occasionally = (1/2 - 2.5 hours per day)

Frequently = (2.5 - 5.5 hours per day)

Continually = (5.5 - 8 hours per day)

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Physical Requirements

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  1. Lifting: Up to 40 lbs.
  2. Carrying: Up to 40 lbs.
  3. Pushing/Pulling: Up to 40 lbs.
  4. Use of Equipment:
  5. Computer, telephone, copier, agency vehicle, fax, typewriter
  6. Sitting: Frequently
  7. Standing: Frequently
  8. Walking: Frequently
  9. Bending: Occasionally
  10. Stooping: Occasionally
  11. Crawling: Not at all
  12. Climbing: Occasionally
  13. Reaching above head: Frequently
  14. Grasping:
  15. One hand: Frequently
  16. Both hands: Frequently
  17. Fine Manipulating:
  18. One hand: Frequently
  19. Both hands:Frequently

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Environmental Requirements

  1. Exposed to marked changes in temperature: Occasionally
  2. Outside work: Occasionally
  3. Exposure to dust, fumes, odors, water, etc.: Occasionally
  4. Exposure to biological, mechanical, electrical and/or chemical hazards: Not at all
  5. Normal (inside) environment: Continuously
  6. Noise: Occasionally

Sensory Requirements

  1. Eyesight:
  2. Normal/corrected: Necessary
  3. Close eye work: Necessary
  4. Other: ______
  5. Hearing:
  6. Normal tones: Necessary
  7. Soft tones: Necessary
  8. Other: ______
  9. Distinguish Smells: Not necessary
  10. Distinguish Temperatures:
  11. Touch: Not necessary
  12. Proximity: Not necessary

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