Professional Houseparents - Brookneal, VA

Job Summary:

The Professional Houseparent (PHP) couple, working as a treatment team, plays the key role in helping children in group care learn and heal from previous trauma, and are trained/supported as such.  PHPs are trained to effectively apply Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and attachment strategies in the group home setting to ensure each youth’s service plan and desired service outcomes are realized within the context and values of a Christian family setting.  The PHP is additionally responsible for the safety, learning, supervision and discipline of the children consistent with the trauma-informed and attachment-sensitive philosophy of the organization. 

Job Title: Professional Houseparent

Team:  Boys and Girls Homes

Essential Job Functions:

• Professionally apply trauma-informed care (TBRI) and attachment sensitive practices to the care of 6-8 children and youth
• Consistently demonstrate flexibility, collaboration, team-centered thinking and actions (“hungry, humble, smart”) and a game-on attitude
• Play a key role with each child and the treatment team in defining each child’s goals and service plans, and ensure each assigned resident’s physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs are met
• Administer medications to residents per physician orders
• Complete all documentation required re: the residents’ behavior as well as their physical, relational and emotional health
• Assess the ongoing needs of the cottage to ensure it is a safe and comfortable for the care of children, completing minor maintenance tasks as needed.
• Effectively teach each child social/relational and life skills pertaining to their service plans
• Prepare nutritious meals and snacks for residents
• Act as liaison and support between the child and his family
• Schedule and attend medical/dental/counseling appointments for the cottage residents
• Provide non-denominational religious training for the residents
• Manage cottage budget
• Complete required certifications and recertify per standards
• Actively participate in team and agency meetings and decision making
• Grow residents’ learning and development by taking them to the many natural, historical and cultural sites in central Virginia as well as trips outside the commonwealth
• Assist and encourage residents with identifying and growing their areas of strength
• Pursue training and reading to improve performance as a professional houseparent

Work Contacts/Employees Supervised:

Communication in person, and/or utilizing email or telephone:

• Daily – Residents, peers, supervisor, directors/peers from various departments
• Occasionally – customers

Employees Supervised: None

Decision Making Authority:

This position requires moderate to significant decision making authority specifically related to all areas impacting the residents’ well-being assigned to a cottage.

Working Conditions/Physical Effort:

• Requires moderate physical effort
• Indoor / office setting
• Periods of sitting at desk working on a computer
• Includes operation of general office equipment

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of:
  • Trauma-informed care, self trauma triggers,  TBRI, attachment strategies
  • Self-awareness of one’s own adult attachment style and trauma triggers
  • Appropriate use of general household appliances and computer applications
  • Basic life skills – relationship building, meal preparation, and so forth

• Skills:
  • Effective teamwork and collaboration
  • Parenting skills to oversee and manage residents’ care
  • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
  • Effective problem solving skills
  • Basic mathematical and reading skills
  • Conflict-resolution skills

• Ability to:
  • Work individually or with one’s spouse to care for 6-8 residents
  • Relationally engage children and youth,
  • Multitask, meet deadlines and respond appropriately to residents’ needs
  • Be coachable and humble
  • Transport residents to activities and events
  • Provide mentoring and coaching of residents
  • Safely administer medication to residents as needed
  • Complete required certifications and maintain recertification standards

Required/Preferred Education:

• High school diploma/GED – Required
• Undergraduate degree in human services - Preferred

Required Years of Experience:

• 1 year of related experience - strongly preferred

Other Requirements:

• Languages: Must be able to effectively communicate both orally and by written word in the English language
• Office or other equipment: Normal use and understanding of basic office equipment including the computer and its related software, copiers, and fax machines
• Must have valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Must have a functioning cell phone