Position:

Title: Therapeutic Foster Caregiver

Status: Contractor

Job Description:

Aligning with the 6 care principles at Oak Hill, the Therapeutic Foster Caregiver position is within our family-based program model. The Therapeutic Foster Caregiver acts as the primary caregiver in the life of the young person in our care. As the primary caregiver, you will be opening up your home to support a young person in need of a safe, stable and therapeutic placement. As one of the key members of our team, the Therapeutic Foster Caregiver will be focusing on the 6 care principles that help foster conditions for change, which leads us to strive towards our primary goal, which is to achieve congruence in the best interests of the child.

Our Care Principles

Developmentally Focused

All children have the same basic requirements for growth and development.
Children learn best when skills are within their zone of proximal development.
Children need support to engage their innate capacity to grow and develop.

Family is actively Involved

Contact with the family is an indicator of successful treatment.
Planning for adequate community support is essential for a successful return.
The child’s ethnic and cultural identity is tied to the family.

Relationship-Based

The ability to form relationships is associated with healthy development and life success.
Relationships are central to helping children build competencies.
Children respond to people they trust.

Competency-Centered

Problem-solving skills, flexibility, critical thinking, and insight are necessary life skills.
Focusing on strengths and positive attributes helps build a positive identity.
The child’s strengths and resources are the biggest factors in making positive change.

Trauma-Informed

Trauma has a debilitating effect on children’s growth and development.
Maintaining a non-coercive and safe environment is essential for children to learn new responses to stressful situations. Challenging behaviour is often pain-based behaviour.

Ecologically-Oriented

Children learn by interacting with their environment.
The environment is influenced by the interactions with the children and staff.

Schedule:

This position is a full-time position with a salary range of $40,000.00-$80,000.00 per year. The salary received is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to:

Applicant’s education
Applicant’s experience
The young person’s level of care needs
The amount of additional support received in the program

Experience:

Child and Youth Workers: 3 years (preferred)
Social Work: 3 years (preferred)
Foster parent: 3 years (preferred)
Criminology, Psychology, Nursing, or other human services fields: 5 years (preferred)

Key Responsibilities: *NOTE* This is not a comprehensive list of the job description, but an overall understanding of the position:

Constructs and revises individual treatment plans and daily evaluation sheets in consultation with other unit workers and resource people (psychologists, teachers, volunteers, family, etc.).
Prepares and presents reports outlining the treatment progress of young people.
Observes, assesses and documents significant behaviours emitted by a young person in activity logs and reports.
Creates and designs age-appropriate, daily living activities as a forum for therapeutic and educational interventions.
Initiates, organizes, monitors and actively participates in group activities, (special outings, concerts, sports, dances, party games, crafts, camping, music) as part of the treatment plan.
On an ongoing basis, observes and assesses interactions, behaviours and affect.
Teaches, supports and assists young people in acquiring appropriate skills relating to daily chores, routines, and personal hygiene habits.
Escorts young people to medical, dental and optical appointments as necessary.
Advocates and actively builds a therapeutic relationship with young people (and family) through interactive play, activities, and personal interactions.
Provides opportunities for young people to focus on developing new skills based on their needs.
Intervenes in a crisis with young people, utilizing non-physical de-escalation practices as necessary.
Maintains a therapeutic approach to behaviour management and explains behavioural expectations and consequences to young people.

Skills & Abilities

You can provide a safe and stable home.
You can provide an environment that promotes the personal and social growth of the young person in care.
You can support the individual in care with daily activity planning.
You can guide with learning independent living skills; for example, meal
planning and preparation, scheduling of health care appointments, and providing supports for goals of care.
Must be able to make a long-term commitment and provide 24/7 support as required.
Must be able to support an individual with disabilities with community engagement and skill development for independent living.

What Supports do we Provide?

24-hour support, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Training and Education.
Frequent visits and regular telephone contact from a qualified and suitably experienced Program Supervisor.
An excellent package of financial support that values your skills as a caregiver.
Regular support through group meetings with other caregivers to share experiences and knowledge.
Child and Youth Care Worker support as needed.
Access to a therapist for consultations and individual therapy for any child placed with you, as appropriate, when needed.

Qualifications and Professional Experience:

Diploma/Degree in Human Services, preference given to Child and Youth Care and Social Work disciplines.
Minimum 3 years of experience working with high-risk youth in out-of-home placements.
Experience & knowledge in First Nations culture is an asset for all positions.
Valid class 5 driver’s license.
Standard 1st Aid (level C) and ASIST Suicide Certificate(s) are required; however, courses are offered after commencement.
Clean Police Security Clearance, Clean Intervention Record Check and 2-million-dollar vehicle insurance are conditions of employment and the candidate's financial responsibility.

Retention incentives are available for our therapeutic caregivers caring for a young person on a full-time basis.

**Effective September 28, 2021, Oak Hill Ranch requires that all employees/contractors be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof as a condition of employment**

Thank you for your interest in Oak Hill Ranch. We only contact candidates who are selected for interviews.

Oak Hill Ranch is committed to promoting equal employment opportunities for all members of the community regardless of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, age, family status, health status, physical characteristics, or disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00-$80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Paid time off

Application question(s):

Do you reside in Edmonton, AB or surrounding communities?
Would you be able to provide a clean criminal record check?
Would you be able to provide a clean child intervention check and a clean criminal records check?
How many people are in your home under the age of 18 years old?
Are you willing and able to support a young person living in your home for a full 12-24 month long period?
Would you be able to provide a full class 5 Alberta drivers license, including proof of $2-million liability?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6

Oak Hill Ranch

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