News from
CONCERN
A Day in the Life of a Youth Worker II
by the Youth Worker IIs, CONCERN Treatment Unit for Boys - Lehighton Campus
The Youth Worker II position at CTUB - Lehighton Campus faces numerous challenges throughout his or her work shift. There is no such thing as a “typical day” for the Youth Worker II. Each day is a new adventure filled with challenges.
This position oversees the shift from start to finish, the day begins by gathering information. Through discussion with the departing staff from the prior shift, reviewing the communication log, observation logs, and reading the daily schedule of events, the youth worker can begin developing a strategy for the day ahead. The Youth Worker II must ensure that clients are punctual and prepared for doctor appointments, court hearings, working sessions, therapy sessions, county worker visits and home visit departures.
This position is also responsible to administer and document all medications to clients throughout the shift. This is a complex task that requires full concentration to avoid errors. Special documentation is required when a client refuses to take a prescribed medication. Counting of all Class II medications (stimulants, depressants, etc. or medications that have a high potential for abuse) is required at the start and end of each shift. Dose inventories are reported to the case managers as well. Medications are taken at different intervals throughout the day, and some clients are taking multiple meds.
Education is an essential component to our program and during the school day the Youth Worker II is available to address behavioral issues in the classroom. In the afternoon and evening, this position organizes and oversees sporting events and other group activities. Another role of the Youth Worker II is to delegate resources to ensure that clients are selected and dispatched for scheduled community service projects. In addition, the Youth Worker II will coordinate some of these projects with members of the community as well.
The Youth Worker II wears many hats. He or she will sometimes be a cook, a project foreman, a coach, or simply just be a good listener. The Youth Worker II is the person who keeps communications flowing between administrative and support staff as well as with direct care staff and educational staff.
Above all, the Youth Worker II is responsible for the health and safety of each and every client. This person develops an action plan when conflict arises. It is the vigilance of this staff member and his or her shift members to recognize conflict between clients and act promptly to avoid these situations from escalating out of control. The Youth Worker II is instrumental in reporting and attempting to resolve crisis situations which sometimes cannot be avoided. Some examples include: assaultive behaviors, runaway, suicide threats or attempts, and cause to search for contraband.
The career of a Youth Worker II can sometimes appear to be a thankless one, yet an occasional phone call from a successful young man who once walked our hallways reminds us of the reasons we are still here. |
