Mentor

GENERAL SUMMARY:
As part of our Short Term Respite program, the Mentor provides temporary care and supervision for the child/youth in the child's home or a community setting that is not a provider-based facility. The role of the Mentor is to provide relief to the family/caregivers of a child who has a mental health or behavioral health diagnosis to help meet the needs of the primary caregiver as well as the child.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide care with one-on-one planned or unplanned respite services to clients as scheduled in their home or other community setting (i.e. parks, restaurants, libraries) in accordance with each youth's Service Plan.
• Provide prompting and coaching in behavioral and social skills to the client as necessary to promote a stable, relaxed respite experience for the youth.
• Utilize only approved Agency protocol for responding to aggressive behavior in youth, as outlined in Behavior Management Policy.
• Provide monitoring of a client during each assigned duty shift by keeping constant eye contact (with the exception of during bathroom use) on the youth while receiving Short Term Respite services.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with assigned youth and their families.
• Ensure all services are performed in accordance with established Agency, programmatic, and regulatory requirements, procedures, and deadlines.
• Immediately advise supervisor of any unusual event involving a client, the client's home environment, or problems encountered in performance of work activities.
• Follow all established Agency and programmatic procedures for reporting unusual and/or critical incidents involving program clients.
• Document all services provided for the client by accurately completing all required Agency records, such as Time Sheets, Progress Notes, and travel logs per shift with each client, and ensure the safety and confidentiality of all client information.
• Regular attendance is required to meet the regular respite needs of assigned families and youth.
• Perform all job duties in accordance with prescribed safe work practices, including practicing Safe Driving when providing transportation for community outings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Have verifiable work experience in providing support to children/ youth with mental or behavioral health diagnoses.
• Must be able to demonstrate the core competencies regarding child/youth mental or behavioral health diagnoses.
• Requires reasonably good reading and writing skills along with the qualities of patience, empathy, dependability, and the ability to teach others. Must possess direct care abilities, skills, and knowledge to adequately provide the care and support to children. you with mental or behavioral health diagnoses.
• The ability to bend, stoop, sit, stand, reach, and lift to work with children or adolescents.
• Must possess the physical and emotional strength necessary to adequately and professionally interact with and support the needs of children/ youth with mental or behavioral health disorders and their families.
• To transport clients, staff must meet the following requirements: be at least 23 years of age; possess a valid Louisiana driver’s license; have access to a properly registered, insured, and inspected vehicle in safe operating condition; and maintain the vehicle at a temperature that ensures the client’s health, safety, and comfort.

Gulf Coast Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay: From $12.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Employee assistance program
• Mileage reimbursement

Application Question(s):

• In order to transport a client staff must meet the following requirements: be at least 23 years of age; possess a valid Louisiana driver’s license; have access to a properly registered, insured, and inspected vehicle in safe operating condition; and maintain the vehicle at a temperature that ensures the client’s health, safety, and comfort. Do you meet these requirements?
• Have you been previously employed by this Agency?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person