Direct Care Staff 

Work with youth at and be responsible for any needs that may arise. Responsible for assisting with washing and drying all children's clothes as needed and ensuring the clothing looks nice and is ready to be worn.
 

Responsible for ensuring the cleaning of all common areas on a nightly basis (including, but not limited to):
 

• Kitchen, living areas, and bathrooms (add toilet tissue, paper towels, soap as needed).

• Remain in the facility and awake continuously while on duty, involves seeing each child within the sleeping area at regular intervals.
   

• Requires maintaining a written log/shift note documenting the status of each child during eachcheck/shift.
   

• Know which children you are responsible for.
   

• Be aware of children's habits, interest, and any special needs. Provide a safe environment.
   

• Positively reinforce children's efforts and accomplishments.
   

• Ensure continuity of care for children by sharing with incoming caregiver’s information about each child's activities during the previous shift and any verbal or written instructions by the parent or other professionals.
   

• Be aware of and accountable for each child's on-going activity.
   

• Assist children as needed when they plan to go on a visit or in making phone calls.
   

• Listen to the children and help them work through problems.
   

• Assist children with personal hygiene in the care of their bodies, obtain supplies as needed for children, report condition of children, and keep written records as necessary.
   

• Administer psychotropic medication and over the counter medications and treatment as prescribed or recommended by the child's physician.
   

• Keep written records of all medications. Must complete "Medication Training" before administering psychotropic medication.
   

• Keep order in the dining room and supervise table manners, cleanliness, etc.
   

• Assist children in making beds, changing linens, cleaning rooms, and adding to the attractiveness of their living area.
   

• Check and report need of living areas and all children, building for safety, health, fire, or disaster hazards.
   

• Transport children to the hospital, clinics, office appointments, school, recreational and social activities off campus as needed.
   

• Keep a written record of any incidents that occur or any information that would be helpful to other staff members.
   

• Make sure all youth are awake in the morning at the proper time for their daily activities.
   

• Work with any youth that is on restriction as required.
   

• Attend regular scheduled staff meetings and participate in regular ongoing training programs as needed to complete the required number of continuing education hours annually.
   

• Help students arrive at breakfast on time.
   

• Provide the level of supervision necessary to ensure each child 's safety and well-being, including auditory and/or visual awareness of each child 's on-going activity as appropriate.
   

• Intervene when necessary to ensure each child's safety.
  
   

In deciding how closely to supervise a child, the caregiver must consider:

- The child's age.

- The child's individual differences, needs, and abilities.

- The physical environment and layout of the operation.

- The child’s living arrangements.

- Levels of service of the youth.

- The child's physical, mental, emotional, and social needs.

- Stay abreast of NJH policies and procedures and interpret them to youth as necessary.

- Responsible for implementation of NJH Philosophy and all NJH training received.

- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor/management team members.