Full Time Therapy Assistant

Our 3rd Shift Therapy Assistant is responsible for providing care and support to the guests; monitors guest behavior; assures guest adherence to the rules; provides guest transportation when needed; ensures on-time guest attendance to all scheduled activities; attends outside AA/NA meetings with the guests; performs regular rounds throughout the guest community; responsible for room checks and unpacking guests; engages in crisis intervention to defuse situations; integrates into the guest community to increase awareness of guest behaviors. Participate in staff training, staff meetings, and Performance Improvement activities. Provides input to the Clinical Director or designee. This individual must be able to work independently and under minimal supervision.

The schedule is Monday – Friday, 11:45pm – 8:15am.

Responsible to: Lead Therapy Assistant and Assistant Clinical Director

Supervision:

Is Provided Through: 

• Facility Performance Improvement Activities
• Direct Observation
• Staff meetings/in-services 
• Individual meetings as needed
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures as detailed in the employee handbook

Culminates in annual performance appraisal.

Position(s) Supervised: 

• None

Position Qualifications:

Minimum Education:  

• High School Diploma

Minimum Licensure/Certification:

• Valid NC Driver’s License
• CPR certified and First Aid certified.
•  NCI+ certified

Preferred Education:          

• HS Diploma – Additional courses in human services area.

Skills:  

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of addiction treatment.
• Demonstrates proficiency in communication, written, and interpersonal skills. Proficient in the practice of universal precautions.
• Demonstrates proficiency in Age Specific Care appropriate to the age of the guest served.

Physical Demands/Strength: 

• Be able to lift objects at least 25 lbs.
• Be able to sit/stand for prolonged periods.
• Be able to perform tasks, which require hand-eye coordination.
• Be able to communicate using the English language.

Environmental Conditions:     

• Potential exposure to airborne/blood-borne pathogens or other potentially infectious material.

Visual Demand:         

• Be able to see closely and far away as in reading and driving.

Aural (Hearing) Demand:      

• Be able to hear normal sounds with background noise.

Protective Devices Required:

• N/A

Working Environment:           

• Office space, classrooms

Employee Behaviors

Maintains a high level of dependability and consistency in performance of job responsibilities. Develops and maintains positive interpersonal relationships and works cooperatively with co-workers. Demonstrates ability to deal with guests/family members with tact and understanding.    

• Attitude: Consistently displays a positive and helpful attitude toward guests, co-workers, and visitors.
• Commitment: Demonstrates an understanding and commitment to the facility’s mission, and a commitment to individual job responsibilities                                  Planning and Organizing: Develops ideas, plans, assembles, and arranges resources related to achieving desired results.                                                      
• Follow -Through: Consistently follows through to ensure completion of assigned tasks and duties.
• Productivity: Consistently produces the required work as identified in the essential job functions within the required time constraints.                                                
• Professionalism: Maintains a high degree of ethical conduct, displays a high level of personal integrity, and demonstrates professionalism in all areas.                                                     
• Problem-Solving/Judgment: Demonstrates ability to solve problems, think & reason; consistently practices good judgment in decision-making                                                
• Communication: Demonstrates verbal and written communications that favorably reflect on the organization and the individual. Encourages communication to achieve mutual & positive understanding.

Job Specific Performance

These behaviors relate to the intra-departmental functioning of the therapy department; the employees’ ability to interact with the guests and family members appropriately; and the employee’s ability to communicate, maintain positive supervisory relationships, and to function as a member of the team.

Admission

• Examines guest belongings to ensure no prohibited items are given to guest, gives any medication found to nursing staff; removes clothing items that are not compliant with dress code; removes any items containing alcohol; handles all guest items appropriately, placing in designated storage during guest stay.                                                                                                                 

Transportation

• Provides guest transportation when needed following these guidelines: calls 911 using Fellowship Hall cell phone if there is an accident or illness; for appointment transport, does not stop en route to or from appointment and stays with guest; ensures that seatbelts are worn at all times; reports any guest rule infraction to nursing/therapy staff immediately upon return.  Logs items accurately as needed in luggage log.                           

Rounds

• Conducts room checks in order to monitor guest neatness and cleanliness, and to check for any unauthorized items. On a daily basis, documents the condition of each room on the room check list.                         
• Conducts rounds of the entire facility on a regular basis. Records time of rounds and initials on the rounds check list.

Observation and Crisis Intervention:

• Monitors guest behavior on an ongoing basis through integration into the guest community and assure guests adhere to the rules.                                        
• Intervenes in crisis situations for the purpose of defusing the situation; recognizes what constitutes a crisis; notifies other staff of crisis situation; uses calming, supportive language to help defuse situation; takes measures to minimize safety risk to guests and others if applicable.                                                         

Administrative Tasks

• Seeks and accepts supervision; responds appropriately to supervisor. Accepts supervisory feedback regarding performance without making excuses or justifications.    
• Performs other duties as may be required in order to maintain the health and well-being of guests and the fulfillment of the goals and objectives of Fellowship Hall.           
• Operates within the boundaries of support staff. Refrain from any counseling type suggestions or directions.
• Provides a written report for each eight-hour shift, including sufficient and accurate observations.

Programming Needs:

• Responsible for monitoring guest attendance and timeliness to all scheduled activities. Locates guests who are not present                           

• Respects staff/guest boundaries. Reviews FH code of Ethics for appropriate conduct.                                                           

Partial Hospitalization Program:

• Monitors compliance of Lodge II rules by all guests and oversees signing in and out of the lodge.
• On weekend day shift, supervises Lodge II guests in outside approved activity.
• Ensures that guests comply with drug screen policies when returning to the grounds from pass or other outside activity.
• Informs Partial Hospitalization Program counselor(s) and/or nurse(s) of any observed irregularities.
• Assumes responsibility for the security of all medical records, clinical records, and/or confidential information housed in Lodge II.
• Assumes responsibility for the security of all medications housed in Lodge II.
• Oversees distribution and observes self-administration of medication by guests.

Program oversight:

• Monitors compliance of residential rules by all guests and oversees signing in and out of their building of residence.
• On weekend shift for Lodge 2, supervises guests in outside approved activity.
• Ensures that guests comply with drug screen policies when returning to the grounds from pass or other outside activity.
• Informs counselor(s) and/or nurse(s) of any observed irregularities. When working in Lodge 2, assumes responsibility for the security of all medical records, clinical records, and/or confidential information housed there.
• When working in Lodge 2, assumes responsibility for the security of all medications    housed there.
• When working in Lodge 2, oversees distribution and observes self-administration of medication by guests.

Performance Improvement Activities

Participates in performance improvement activities and sub-committees. Participates in staff development by continued training to improve job skills.                                                                                                                           

• Attends all required in-services                                                         
• Fulfills performance improvement responsibilities, assignments, committee responsibilities and duties effectively.                                                     
• Pursues training opportunities to enhance job skills                                                 
• Effectively supports and follows the policies and procedures of Fellowship Hall.