Staff Mentor

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Job description

Overview:
We want you to join our team! We need deeply compassionate, committed and highly talented staff. The Woods organization is guided by their mission to support children and adults with disabilities or challenges to achieve their highest potential and independence through innovative and individualized approaches that promote learning and personal fulfillment.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

PTO- Paid time off

On-site medical center

403b retirement plan

Continuing education programs

Tuition assisted program

Career growth opportunities

Salary: Starting at $17 / hour depending on education / experience

Job Summary

Responsible to have a clear understanding of and maintain an operational knowledge of the Woods' Vision, Mission and Core Values. Woods' Core Values of Tenacity, Exceptional, Advocacy and Multicultural are to be applied to all aspects of each Staff Mentor's role and responsibilities.

Responsible to continually monitor and oversee the residential and day program milieu to identify areas of concern and those areas requiring additional support and attention. Responsible in conjunction with the residential/day program management team, to work with the direct care staff to create and maintain a culture of support and teamwork to ensure the highest quality engagement and service to the individuals receiving care. Responsible to train and support staff in the development of therapeutic skills to actively engage with, deescalate when needed, and problem solve difficult situations that may arise. Responsible for providing initial "on the job" training and support to newly-hired direct care staff and to provide additional mentoring and education throughout their probationary period as they become acclimated to the program and job duties. Additionally, responsible to develop and maintain a mentor relationship with all direct care staff to support, advise, and model therapeutic engagement with the individuals receiving services. Responsible for strict adherence to ethical and best practice standards, licensing and accreditation requirements, as well as Woods policies and procedures including required reporting procedures.

Responsibilities:
Encourage and promote open communication so that employees feel safe in reporting concerns and/or stressors and work cooperatively to resolve these issues when able. Seek the assistance of the program supervisor and manager to address more challenging issues.

Responsible for supporting staff in the implementation of programs and activities and model/support active engagement.

Work with new employees to orient them to expectations on the job and serve as a mentor, as needed.

Actively assist in crisis intervention to support staff and facilitate appropriate de-escalation techniques. Observe/monitor employee interactions to identify concerns and if concerns are noted (i.e., signs of frustration, angry reactions, evidence of power struggle) take immediate steps to remove the employee from the situation and then through a mentoring relationship coach the employee on the importance of coping strategy and self-awareness to prevent negative reactionary responses.

Is actively available to direct care staff to identify, facilitate and coordinate needed breaks throughout the day and assume direct care responsibilities during these times.

Maintain open lines of communication with the supervisor and manager and report daily on accomplishments, concerns, and setbacks via email and/or face to face meetings.

Maintain objective observations of the milieu to identify stressors and communicate areas of need to the management team for resolution.

Responsible to ensure the supervision, safety, and welfare of the individuals receiving services.

Be a client advocate by ensuring Woods' individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Immediately intervene to ensure safety, report any incident of suspected mistreatment and cooperate fully with all necessary investigations.

Serve as a role model with respect to mature appropriate behavior: problem solving and coping responses, initiative, active listening and other social skills including accepting direction from supervisory staff.

Implement behavior management and other therapeutic strategies as directed by the program clinician and program specialist.

Responsible to attend in-service training annually in accordance with Woods' policy and licensing/funding requirements.

Responsible to obtain health screenings and testing via the Employee Health office as required by regulatory agencies.

Maintain the confidentiality of the individuals served and their families. Maintain the confidentiality of Mentees by limiting the disclosure of information to the program manager or supervisory designee.

Works varied hours based on the needs of the program.

All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Staff Mentor 1Proof of a High School Diploma, GED or a College Degree is required;

Staff Mentor 2Proof of an Associate's Degree is required;

Staff Mentor 3 Proof of a college degree in any field required;

Staff Mentor 4Must posses a bachelor's degree (issued in the US, or verified by an authorized accreditation agency) in a human services field;

Minimum age: 21 and have a minimum of three years' experience working in a residential setting serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Direct care experience must include a minimum of one year experience at Woods Services (3800 programs must have one year experience working with children/adolescents). Effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, be agile, physically pursue clients on foot, physically restrain, bend, squat, stretch, reach, push up and stand for several hours at a time.

Prior to employment, medical certification and child abuse clearances are required.

About Woods Services

Woods Services is a Pennsylvania and New Jersey-based non-profit population health network and advocacy organization that along with its six affiliate organizations provides life-long innovative, comprehensive and integrated health, education, housing, workforce, behavioral health and case management services to more than 22,000 children and adults in the intellectual and developmental disability, child welfare, behavioral and brain trauma public health sectors who have complex and intensive medical and behavioral healthcare needs.

Our Langhorne campus is home to 550 residents, and provides outpatient and day programs.

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