RESIDENT ADVISOR

***This is a Live-In position.***

**PROGRAM SUMMARY**

Bethany Children's Home provides individualized services to youth between the ages of 6 and 20 in a residential home setting on our beautiful rural campus located in Womelsdorf. Youth have opportunities to participate in a variety of therapeutic, spiritual, recreational and cultural services while they heal from past traumas.

**EXPECTED STANDARDS FOR ALL BETHANY TEAM MEMBERS**

All Bethany Team Members Must Be At Least 21 Years Of Age With a High School Diploma Or Equivalent And Be Prepared To Meet The Diverse Needs, Level Of Care, Supervision, Safety, And Wellbeing Of Youth In Bethany's Service. All Team Members Share In The Responsibility Of Upholding Department Of Human Services Regulations And Bethany Program Expectations Including

• Adhering to all policies and procedures.
• Performing all expected work responsibilities in a safe manner.
• Treating all children, families and Team Members with respect and courtesy.
• Completing and maintaining all mandated and required training within required agency timeframes.
• Maintaining timely compliance with all established agency standards and employment documentation.
• Acting in compliance with Department of Human Services regulations to the highest degree of ethical standards.
• Maintaining a clean, safe and functional working environment.
• Providing services in a manner that are sensitive to the age, culture, religion, dietary needs, sexual orientation, gender identity and other important individual needs of those in our service.
• Ensuring proper physical care is provided to those in our service.
• Ensuring new clothing and personal grooming items are provided.
• Implementing strategies to discourage runaways and unauthorized absences.
• Informing all youth of his/her rights and ensuring that those rights are obtained.
• Carrying out the program's rules and conduct standards with a positive, strength-based behavior management approach.
• Providing transportation to and from campus appointments.
• Performing additional duties as assigned by supervisor or administrator per operational needs.
  
  

**ELEMENTS OF PERFORMANCE**

Skills

Bethany programs serve an at-risk population referred by county Children and Youth Services or Juvenile Probation. Children and youth served may have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, exposure to addictive substances and trafficking. Team Members, as a collective whole, are expected to have working knowledge of how to address such individuals directly and assist them through treatment, or refer them to someone who is qualified. Team Members are expected to have the knowledge and skills to recognize, treat or refer to appropriate professionals the following:

• Abide by mandated reporting requirements.
• Systematically gather data, determine the readiness of an individual for treatment and change, apply accepted criteria for the diagnosis of substance use disorder or other detrimental addictions or behaviors.
• Recognize when a youth is under the influence of a psychoactive substance, intoxicated, and/or experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
• Monitor for danger to self or others.
• Document mental health concerns.
• Analyze and interpret data to determine treatment recommendations and priorities.
• Form mutually agreed-upon, measurable goals and objectives with the individual being served.
• Demonstrate and adhere to the accepted ethical and behavioral standard of conduct.
• Participate in continuing professional development.
  
  

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR ALL BETHANY TEAM MEMBERS**

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Be fluent in the language(s) spoken by a majority of the youth in care.
• Have acceptable written and verbal communication skills.
• Have acceptable organizational and computer skills.
• Demonstrate acc ptable interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Possess a strong commitment to helping youth succeed by helping them reorient their lives, nurture their reunification efforts and enable them to make a successful transition to their next placement.
• Possess ability to establish rapport and relate sensitively with consistency to multiracial and multicultural groups of young adults.
• Demonstrate the ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities efficiently.
• Possess a valid Pennsylvania Driver's License with a clear 3-year driving history.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
• Submit to a health assessment demonstrating fitness for duty, certified by a physician no more than 30 days prior to commencing employment and comply with a two-year renewal.
• Provide current PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal History and FBI Fingerprinting clearances prior to commencing employment and comply with a two-year renewal.
  
  

**SAFETY HAZARDS OF THE JOB**

• Potential for possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens -- universal precautions are to be utilized in all potential exposure situations.
• Potential for emotional stress and vicarious trauma as it relates to working with children and youth.
• Potential for personal injury that may include, but not limited to, bites, kicks, punches and scratches.