Description

Shift: Part Time Shift: Thursday/Friday 11 pm to 7 am.

Purpose:

The Direct Support Specialist is a member of the Compass Rose Transition-Aged Youth Supportive Living Program that provides overnight support to transition-aged foster youth. The goal of the Compass Rose program is to create a safe environment for transition-aged foster youth to develop skills for independent living and overall wellness. The Direct Support Specialist will provide environmental and milieu management support to ensure a safe, trauma informed, equitable and inclusive environment. This is a single-staffed position and requires on-site work at all times.

Accountabilities:

Milieu Management

• Provide direct support in one-on-one or group setting. 
• Conduct guest check-in and redirect/remove individuals who are not program participants if there is disturbance/disregard for program rules.
• Provide crisis response and de-escalation as needed. Ability to utilize emergency services (ie. Police, Project Respond, etc) as needed.
• Maintains the cleanliness of common areas and employee office.
• Engage with youth during overnight hours during times of crisis, difficulty sleeping, mental health concerns, etc.

Supportive Skills Training

• Willing to meet and engage with people “where they are,” including their environment, time of night, and readiness for change.
• Use trauma-informed, person centered approach and language and participate in ongoing training and education.
• Assists participants with daily living skills such as maintaining appointments, completing household and hygiene tasks, as well as medication prompts, connection to treatment and support team for additional support.
• Support youth through coping with mental health concerns, sleep hygiene, schedule management, etc.
• Assists participants with self-identified goals and in support of existing treatment plans from providers.
• Assists participants with completion of cleaning and laundry as necessary.
• Support participants in accessing healthy meals and kitchen clean up as necessary.

Collaboration

• Work to increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency regarding Person-Centered Services.
• Communicate and collaborate with participant’s treatment teams as needed.
• Attend and positively participate in required team, agency, and interdisciplinary meetings.

Crisis Prevention/De-escalation/Harm Reduction

• Provide crisis response and de-escalation in a community based setting.
• Use crisis prevention approach to decrease use of crisis services, Project Respond, EMS, police, hospitalization, etc.
• Ability to work in collaboration with emergency services (ie. police, Project Respond, Multnomah County Crisis, Behavioral Health Unit) as necessary.
• Ability to work in collaboration with acute care settings if necessary.
• Must be able to assist in de-escalation and crisis as needed.
• Support harm reduction approach, linkage to resources such as, but not limited to: clean needle exchange, NARCAN, MAT, SUD services, education around harm reduction, etc.

Documentation/Expectations

• Complete documentation and data entry in Electronic Health Record as required by contract within 24-72 hours.
• Maintain a regular work schedule- overnight shifts.
• Complete all other assignments in a timely manner as requested by supervisor.

Supervision Received:

• Receive regular supervision from the Overnight Supervisor at least twice per month, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and group supervision as required.

Other General Expectations:

• Ability to engage with youth through shared interests, hobbies, language, and experiences.
• Uphold New Narrative Mission and Values in all interactions.
• Ability to work as a team member, remain flexible and establish priorities as a group.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrate initiative and openness to learning/implementing new skills.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude and maintain unconditional positive regard.
• Creative, innovative and progressive problem-solver.
• Ability to multi-task and remain calm in a busy and stressful environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Pursue ongoing development of skills and competencies in line with contract requirements for training.
• Follow all New Narrative policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Follow through on all directives and instructions.
• Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate.
• Must be able to pass a criminal history check through the Department of Human Services.
• Hold an “after hours” emergency phone in rotation with other staff.

Core Competencies:

• Communication: Clear, direct and concise. Keeps people informed. Listens effectively to others.
• Teamwork: Effective at working in team situations.
• Utilizing available resources for personal wellness: Communicates with Supervisor or other designated New Narrative personnel to meet personal wellness and safety needs.
• Adaptability: Ability to modify or change service delivery as needed to best fit the needs of program participants and New Narrative values
• Analytical thinking: Attention to detail over sustained periods of time.
• Dependability: Counted on to follow through on commitments: at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion.
• Aptitude: Ability to comprehend and apply new ideas, processes and procedures, or training.
• Demeanor: Remaining calm in crisis situation, empathetic, unbiased, non-judgmental and excellent peer model skills.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
• Persons of color and all genders encouraged to apply
• Incumbents with a substance use disorder must be sober and free of substance use for 2 full years preceding date of hire, and must maintain this sobriety.
• Must maintain current Oregon driver’s license and insurance. Must have own reliable vehicle to meet participants in the community, as the position requires a lot of driving.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Qualifications