What are the responsibilities and job description for the Independent Living Specialist position at Epworth Children's Home?
For more than 126 years, Epworth Children's Home has grown and adapted to the individual needs of children and families by providing a safe and nurturing environment, evidence-based practices, and programs across the continuum of care and across the state of South Carolina.
Position Summary:
Independent Living Specialists ensure staff supervision of clients living full time on campus or coming to campus for breaks. The schedule is 3 days on, 2 days off; then rotate to 2 days on and 3 days off.
Primary Performance Objectives:
To provide supervision and transportation of adult clients in a manner consistent with all Epworth training, policies and procedures.
Provide a nurturing group living experience consistent with the C.A.R.E. practice model, the mission of Epworth, and the respective client's plan of care; and assist with on/off campus activities as scheduled.
Respond professionally to training, documentation, and performance expectations set forth by direct supervisors and Epworth administrators
Model the competence and character outcomes that are desired for clients, including practical skills for living and problem solving, social maturity, educational achievement, and integrity
Work with Independent Living team to ensure clients are meeting self-sufficiency goals and are maintaining employment and/or education enrollment.
Job Task Summary:
Ensure clients have all supplies needed for meals and daily living needs.
Accompany clients to buy groceries and clothes and other needs not provided by regular supply process.
Maintain receipts and submit receipts to business office by established deadlines
Teach and assist clients with cooking nutritional meals
Administer prescribed medication to clients
Provide a safe, structured, supervised, clean environment in the cottage while serving as a role model and teacher
Complete daily inspections of the clients' living spaces to ensure clients are completing cleaning expectations.
Develop meaningful relationships with all clients
Complete daily documentation on each client (i.e. case notes, incident reports, etc.)
Provide individual and group lesson instruction in self-care and other developmentally appropriate life skills and document
Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in human service field, or
Two (2) year Associate Degree in Human Service field and two (2) years experience in working with children or adolescents, or
Significant life experience in working with children and adolescents (i.e. group residential counselor, church/youth experience, camp counselor, etc.)
Embrace and model the principles of C.A.R.E.
Knowledge of and ability to apply best practices in crisis intervention situations
A driving record that reflects a commitment to safety and mature decision-making
Must be able to pass standard background checks, including: drug screen, employment physical, SLED, DSS Central Registry, and Sex Offenders Registry
Has a belief system and engages in faith practices that are compatible with those of the United Methodist Church
What Epworth Children's Home offers full time employees:
- Rewarding Client Focused work environment
- Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans
- Company paid life insurance
- Voluntary benefits such as STD, LTD, Group life
- 403(b) with company match
- Ample vacation and sick leave
- Mission/Volunteer leave
- Credit Union
- Employee Assistance Program
- Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
Career opportunities throughout the state of SC!
Epworth's mission is to serve children, youth, and families through caring, safe, Christian communities, where hurts are healed, hope is nurtured, and faith in God, self, and others is developed.