Job Responsibilities:

Lead Youth Treatment Specialist

Specialized Services Division – Jefferson County Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility
Wisconsin Community Services (WCS)

Position Summary:

The Lead Youth Treatment Specialist provides two essential roles within the Youth Crisis Stabilization Program. The first role is being responsible for direct care, nurturing and supervision of the residents. This includes providing supervision of the youth placed in the program. Responsible for implementing the daily schedule of activities. Provide group educational activities, recreational activities, follow up individually with youth, serve as a mentor and role model for youth. The second role is being a shift lead to ensure staff are trained, staff are meeting the needs of the youth, and all staff are following the policies/procedures of the Youth Crisis Stabilization Program.

Essential Functions:

Youth Treatment Specialist Duties:

• Serve as a treatment specialist in the milieu supporting therapeutic interactions by coaching skill use throughout activities, modeling appropriate behavior, teaching, and reinforcing use and generalization of skills through a token economy system.
• Use evidence based best practices for youth with mental health, substance use and life needs. This includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, youth centered and culturally reverent approaches while celebrating youth’s development and identity.
• Use motivation and engagement strategies to encourage youth involved in systems such as court services and Department of Children and Families to participate in treatment programming and involvement in program activities.
• Always provide active sight and sound supervision to youth and families with complex needs.
• Assess youth behavior for risk to self or others and behavioral changes within the treatment milieu and communicate with clinical staff regarding appropriate support as needed.
• Calmly and responsibly respond during crisis situations and intervene to de-escalate using trained and approved methods and techniques of verbal and physical intervention to maintain safety in the environment.
• Attend clinical supervision as required in DHS 34.
• Maintain confidentiality within all written and verbal communications.
• Adhere to state licensing and County requirements.
• Adhere to WCS Policies and Procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Lead Duties:

• Responsible for training new staff, being a role model, and orientating staff to the Youth Crisis Stabilization Program.
• Act as a shift leader to ensure staff are following programming and meeting the needs of the youth in the program.
• Redirect and coach staff. Share staff-related performance concerns with supervisor immediately.
• Ensure all policies, procedures, and protocols are being followed in accordance with State of Wisconsin and Department of Health Services operation standards.
• Ensure that Youth Treatment Specialists are carrying out clinical recommendations.
• Closely monitor all documentation requirements and work with the Assistant Program Director to ensure incident reporting.
• Collaborate closely with the resident care supervisor and leadership team to develop programming, monitor compliance, and measure outcomes.
• Administer medication and ensure staff are aware of medication changes in collaboration with medical providers and nursing staff.

Other Duties and Responsibilities: