Title: Master Teacher Counselor Aide (PRSD)
Job Category: Residential
Requisition Number: MASTE004333
Job Type: Full-Time
Pittsburgh, PA, 15214, United States

Description

Pressley Ridge Benefits

The well-being of our employees and their families is important to us. At Pressley Ridge, we strive to provide the most competitive and comprehensive employee benefit programs that are affordable and help you and your family achieve and maintain your best possible health.

• Medical coverage available with a Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer match
• Prescription coverage
• Dental and vision plans
• Patient advocate and Medicare specialists available at no cost
• Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account
• Retirement savings plan with an employer match
• Free life insurance and AD&D
• Paid Time Off
• 9 paid holidays (7 recognized holidays plus a floating and birthday holiday per year)
• Tuition reimbursement (if applicable)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Position Summary

The Master Teacher Counselor Aide (MTCA) assists the supervisor and Master Teacher Counselor (MTC) in developing, implementing, and monitoring of individual and group service plans and procedures during program hours that result in improved adaptive social/interpersonal functioning and high rates of successful program completing among youngsters in assigned groups. The MTCA works with assigned youth according to a variable pattern, required by program’s schedule.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Clinical and Support
   1. Conducts formal and informal functional behavioral assessments.
   2. Identifies and builds upon child’s strengths.
   3. Provides support to staff for appropriate implementation of treatment interventions as it relates to a child’s individual service plan.
   4. Participates with youth in recreational and other daily activities.
   5. Participates and collaborates with treatment team members in goal development.
   6. Facilitate short range (daily, weekly) and long range (monthly, yearly) planning of activities.
   7. Supervises the implementation of planned activities connecting them to the individual and group treatment goals.
   8. Assists staff in the consistent application of the essentials in maintaining and creating positive relationships with youth.
   9. Observes and attends to youths’ needs.
   10. Maintains rapport, listens, and engages youth in daily interaction.
   11. Makes oneself available and approachable to youth.
   12. Provides ongoing advocacy and support for children and staff.
   13. Assures the youths’ emotional, psychological and physical well-being when engaging in activities or interventions.
   14. Conveys a genuine interest and concern for youth in their care.
   15. Assists with crisis management of group and campus.
   16. Assess and respond to dangerous situations and conditions per organization policies and supervisor expectations.
   17. Responds to and communicates routine and emergency health care issues to supervisors.
2. Quality Improvement
   1. Evaluates the effectiveness of treatment interventions and provide feedback with the assistance of the Residential Coordinator.
   2. Provides consultation and assistance in order for staff to manage conflict and facilitate group and individual problem-solving.
      1. Assess and respond to group behavior and dynamics.
      2. Effectively use group process as opportunities to teach community living skills.
      3. Plan, implement and evaluate all aspects of daily living routines and activities, including structuring the environment and managing group transitions.
   3. Ensures evaluation occurs for each individual activity and overall evaluation of the plan.
3. Leadership
   1. Provides information to DSPs and/or MTCs on topics discussed in clinical supervision and supports clinical supervision activities.
   2. Demonstrates flexibility, fairness and consistency in setting rules and guidelines.
   3. Sets the example for DSPs and is a role model for the implementation of Pressley Ridge principles, values and policies.
   4. Teaches and role models to DSPs.
   5. Uses written documentation to communicate effectively with peers, subordinates and supervisors.
4. Supervision
   1. Provides direct supervision of staff to assure the required.
   2. Provides feedback to the supervisor and Master Teacher Counselors.
   3. Supports the Residential Coordinator and Master Teacher Counselors in professional development.
   4. Provides direction and feedback to staff on daily job duties and expectations.
   5. Ensure individual, program and/or regulatory requirements are met.
5. Documentation
   1. Meets timelines for submitting paperwork established by the program and organization.
   2. Monitors and documents youth in self-administering medication and ensure dosage timelines are met
   3. Completes all required paperwork.
   4. Completes written work that is legible, accurate and uses professional language.
6. Professional Development
   1. Participates in ongoing professional development in-service trainings.
   2. Complete all training requirements as identified.
   3. Complete the minimum number of annual professional development training hours in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
   4. Achieves professional development goals as identified in performance evaluations.
   5. Participates in clinical supervision.

Qualifications

1. Education/Credentials/Licensure:
   1. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
   2. Requires proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) within two (2) years employment for the School for the Deaf.
   3. Requires valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.
2. Experience:
   1. Experience working with troubled youth, preferred.
3. Clearances:
   1. State Police
   2. FBI
   3. Child Abuse Clearances
   4. CPSL Mandated Reporter-Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training per state regulation.

Working Conditions

1. Physical Demands
   1. This position requires operating office equipment 75% of the time and transporting clients 25% of the time. Fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, elbows 60% of the day. Legs and feet are used 30% the day. The lower and upper torso is used 10% of the day. Employee must meet minimum requirements for hearing, speech, and vision. For positions in the School for the Deaf, hearing and speech are not required but ASL proficiency is (see qualifications above). Walking is required 20% of the day. Standing occurs 30% of the day. Sitting happens 40% of the day. Reaching above the shoulder as well as bending and twisting are performed 10% of the day. This function routinely lifts 15 pounds, 4 times per day. The maximum lift is over 50 pounds, 1 time per day. The position requires the ability to implement physical interventions and meet the physical demands of TCI. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
2. Mental Demands
   1. This position frequently requires the need for quick decisions and to concentrate as well as handles distractions that interfere and a diversity of problems.
   2. Frequently this position requires performing multiple tasks.
3. Environmental Factors
   1. Indoors/Outdoors: Residential treatment facility, school, home, community.
4. Working Hours
   1. 40-hour week, variable schedule based on program need.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.