Residential Associate Professional

SUMMARY OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Program Director and/or Corporate Clinical Director a Group Home Associate Professional is a crucial team member providing Group Home services to Children to aid in improving their overall quality of life and decrease symptoms that would require a higher level of care. You will be working with the members within a home setting providing intensive therapeutic intervention within a staff-secure treatment setting for children and adolescents with severe emotional behavioral or cognitive challenges. This role requires a compassionate resilient and skilled professional who can maintain a therapeutically positive environment manage crises and facilitate the unlearning of maladaptive behaviors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Direct Care and Therapeutic Support:

1. Provide structured goal-oriented interventions aligned with each childs PCP and treatment goals.

2. Assist children with activities of daily living (ADLs) emotional regulation behavior management school attendance and recreational activities.

3. Implement individualized behavior support strategies and de-escalation techniques in accordance with agency-approved Crisis Response Plans and restrictive intervention policies.

4. Foster a nurturing trauma-informed environment that promotes healing safety consistency and trust.
   Encourage positive peer interactions social skill development and participation in structured activities within the home and community.

Documentation and Compliance:

1. Complete daily service notes and behavioral observation reports clearly linking interventions to treatment goals in the PCP in compliance with NC DHHS and Medicaid standards.

2. Report and document all critical incidents immediately per agency and NC Incident Response Improvement System (IRIS) protocols.

3. Maintain confidential and HIPAA-compliant records for all children served.

4. Participate in quarterly treatment plan reviews and discharge planning as appropriate.

Safety Health and Wellness:

1. Ensure a safe supervised living environment by maintaining appropriate staff-to-child supervision ratios at all times including during transportation and community outings.

2. Monitor childrens physical and emotional well-being administer medications (if certified) and coordinate health appointments.

3. Conduct safety drills (fire disaster lockdown) as required and document participation.

4. Model and teach healthy daily routines hygiene practices and coping strategies.

5. Professional Development and Team Collaboration

Maintain current certifications in:

1. CPR/First Aid

2. NCI (North Carolina Interventions) or other DHHS-approved crisis intervention training

3. Bloodborne Pathogens

4. Person-Centered Thinking

5. Trauma-Informed Care practices for children and adolescents

6. Any other certifications as required by DHHS and/or Pathways To Life

Additional:

1. Attend supervision with a QP or LP at least monthly (or more frequently as required).

2. Participate actively in team meetings clinical staffing and in-service trainings.

3. Support the transition planning process including reunification with family or movement to a lower level of care when appropriate.

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: N/A

LEVEL OF EDUCATION/TRAINING/QUALIFICATIONS:

(a) graduate of a college or university with a masters degree in a human service field with less than one year of full-time post-graduate degree accumulated mh/dd/sa experience with the population served or a substance abuse professional with less than one year of full-time post-graduate degree accumulated supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling. Supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the individual meets one year of experience. The supervisor and the employee shall develop an individualized supervision plan upon hiring. The parties shall review the plan annually; or

(b) graduate of a college or university with a bachelors degree in a human service field with less than two years of full-time post-bachelors degree accumulated mh/dd/sa experience with the population served or a substance abuse professional with less than two years of full-time post-bachelors degree accumulated supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling. Supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the individual meets two years of experience. The supervisor and the employee shall develop an individualized supervision plan upon hiring. The parties shall review the plan annually; or

(c) graduate of a college or university with a bachelors degree in a field other than human services with less than four years of full-time post-bachelors degree accumulated mh/dd/sa experience with the population served or a substance abuse professional with less than four years of full-time post-bachelors degree accumulated supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling. Supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the individual meets four years of experience. The supervisor and the employee shall develop an individualized supervision plan upon hiring. The parties shall review the plan annually; or

• Valid North Carolina Drivers License and acceptable driving record.

• Must pass criminal background checks all Health Care registry checks drug screenings and TB testing as required.

• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings weekends and holidays based on the needs of the children.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Regularly walk stand or stoop

• occasionally lift carry push or pull

• move objects weighing up to 25 pounds

• regularly drive a motor vehicle

• must be physically able to complete NCI-B and CPR

WORKING CONDITIONS: Residential setting with variable hours based on staffing schedules.
Physical demands include standing lifting up to 25 pounds and active engagement with youth during recreational activities and interventions. The environment can be diverse and sometimes unpredictable.