JOB TITLE: Human Services Professional
EMPLOYER: Advocates for Children
DEPARTMENT: Residential Children’s Home
REPORTS TO: Shelter Director
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/1/2025
SUMMARY: The Human Services Professional (HSP) is responsible for ensuring that the educational, medical, emotional, and social needs of each youth are met. Case management services include but are not limited to: ensuring client files comply with regulatory/contract standards; monitoring and reporting the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of residents; coordinating social services; serving as a liaison with the courts; and on-call accessibility. The HSP’s responsibilities also extend to the supervision of the Registered Nurse (R.N.) to deliver services and perform the duties required to provide oversight of medication management of residents.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Human Service Professional:
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
QUALIFICATIONS:
COMPETENCIES:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
EMPLOYER: Advocates for Children
DEPARTMENT: Residential Children’s Home
REPORTS TO: Shelter Director
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/1/2025
SUMMARY: The Human Services Professional (HSP) is responsible for ensuring that the educational, medical, emotional, and social needs of each youth are met. Case management services include but are not limited to: ensuring client files comply with regulatory/contract standards; monitoring and reporting the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of residents; coordinating social services; serving as a liaison with the courts; and on-call accessibility. The HSP’s responsibilities also extend to the supervision of the Registered Nurse (R.N.) to deliver services and perform the duties required to provide oversight of medication management of residents.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Human Service Professional:
- Screen potential applicants for shelter placement consideration in conjunction with Residential Children’s Home Director.
- Complete intake and orientation process with new residents, ensuring all youth documents are complete.
- Develop individualized service plans for each resident.
- Advocate for residents through attendance at Family Team Meetings, Transitional Round Tables, citizen panel reviews, and court hearings.
- Refer youth to mental health, medical, and dental services.
- Provide oversight of the R.N. and medication management of residents.
- Prepare and maintain accurate and up-to-date records of each resident.
- Document accurate and up-to-date client progress through monthly summaries, Georgia SHINES, GA+SCORE, and client files.
- Facilitate and respond to consistent and open communication with caseworkers and mental health providers.
- Foster a relationship with residents’ permanent connections.
- Schedule and prepare residents for visits and therapy appointments.
- Partner with residents to develop relationships with a mentor from the community.
- Attend meetings with other state and local agencies to remain knowledgeable of all issues affecting agency and children in our care.
- Facilitate all critical incident reporting on residents to OPM/RCCL as appropriate.
- Ensure residential program meets licensing and accreditation standards including monthly review of client files, facility maintenance, etc.
- Report staffing data into GA+Score for key personnel ensuring data meets minimum standards and maintain key personnel files in compliance with RCCL and OPM.
- Review daily logs and progress notes of residents.
- Provide direct supervision of residents as required and effectively monitor and engage in client interaction and behaviors.
- Assist in crisis intervention management to prevent serious injury to residents and staff utilizing Human Empowerment Leadership Principles (HELP).
- Assist residents with meeting personal goals through the use of Harm Reduction, Positive Youth Development, and Trauma Informed Care.
- Maintain a positive working relationship with referral sources and other agencies in the community who service families and at-risk youth.
- Assume on-call duties on a rotating basis to support childcare workers.
- Assure confidentiality of information related to clients, personnel, and other information of confidential nature.
- Demonstrate a commitment to PQI and attend meetings as required.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides supervision of Registered Nurse
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences required.
- Supervision experience preferred.
- Knowledge of the Department of Family and Children Services, human behavior, loss and trauma, and domestic violence.
- Computer skills required: Database Software; Word Processing Software (Word); Electronic Mail Software (Outlook).
- Effective verbal and written communicator with all persons in a culturally competent manner.
- Must be familiar with the community and community support agencies.
- Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen.
COMPETENCIES:
- Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
- Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
- Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
- Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Occasionally required to stand.
- Occasionally required to walk.
- Frequently required to sit.
- Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
- Continually required to talk or hear.
- Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
- The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 25 pounds / frequently lift and/or move up to 15pounds / continually lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include:
- Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Frequently required to drive a personal vehicle.
