Main Purpose of Job
A Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner (RCYCP) at the Maryland School for the Deaf is the full performance level of work providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing students by serving as a mentor and role model, offering advice and assistance with everyday life skills, and providing referrals to other staff at the Maryland School for the Deaf.
Employees receive general supervision from a RCYCP Supervisor, School for the Deaf, or from a designated administrator. Employees might be asked to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and on other campuses. Employees may be required to travel to various locations for events such as field trips, workshops, and recreational activities.
POSITION DUTIES
- Maintain a safe environment and ensure of student’s safety at all times;
- Possess responsibility for the students at all times;
- Makes parents/guardian and teacher contact 1 time a week or as required by supervisor;
- Informs parents of student development through telephone calls, letters, and meetings with the Parent, Teacher, and Counselor;
- Interacts with students to offer them guidance and discuss their problems as needed, and serves as a mentor and role model for their assimilation into the deaf culture;
- Teaches and assists student in complying with daily and weekly schedules of completing homework, sleeping, eating, cleanliness of their living areas and performing personal hygiene;
- Documents and reports and reviews student concerns to the RCYCP Supervisor;
- Assesses emergency and crisis situations, makes appropriate contacts and referrals, and provides interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available;
- Develops, implements, and monitors student activities;
- Maintains weekly reviews on student’s progress/developments in the dorm with team;
- May participate in the development of educational programs and workshops;
- May supplement classroom instruction by tutoring students in academic subjects;
- Maintains strict confidentiality of students and school personnel information;
- Participates in appropriate professional development;
- May make periodic safety checks of doors and windows of student residences;
- Provides support while traveling to and from events such as extracurricular activities, workshops and field trips;
- Employees may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs;
- Individuals who are assigned to perform the direct care responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program;
- Performs other related duties.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Must be either 21 years old with graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
OR
At least 18 years old with possession of an Associate of Arts degree or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: One year of experience providing guidance to deaf and hard of hearing youth and assisting them with everyday life skills in a student life setting.
Fluency in American Sign Language required. Skill in written English sufficient to permit fluent and accurate communication with students and parents who are not proficient in American Sign Language.
Note: Candidates may substitute additional education from an accredited college or university at the rate of sixty credit hours for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of the physical, emotional and social aspects of deafness;
Understanding of Legal and Ethical Issues in Residential Care;
Post secondary training in counseling, child development, or education;
Experience at a residential school for the deaf or another residential childcare facility;
Experience in teaching and caring for children and youth with and without disabilities;
Possess Maryland medication administration or equivalent certification;
Ability to learn emergency medical procedures;
Ability to maintain a dormitory environment conducive to positive student development;
Ability to work harmoniously with students and with other employees.
Hold or obtain a valid driver license.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Employees in this classification will be required to obtain and maintain RCYCP certification.
- Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
- Employees in this classification will be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid training leading to certification. These certifications must be kept current as a requirement of residential childcare licensure by the Maryland Department of Human Services.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Employees in this classification are required to be proficient in American Sign Language and in written English.
- Employees in this classification will be required to pass a medical examination and an annual screening for tuberculosis as a requirement of residential child care licensure by the Maryland Department of Human Services.
- Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.
- Employees in this classification will be required to apply for a criminal background check as a requirement of the Family Law Article, Section 5-551, Annotated Code of Maryland.
- Employees in this classification are required to obtain Residential Children and Youth Care Practitioner certification (within 180 days of hiring) and maintain the certification.
- Employees in this classification are required to have at least 40 hours of Department of Human Service (DHS) training hours annually and 20 hours of Continuing Education (CEU) every two years for their RCYCP certification.
- Candidates will need to provide three letters of recommendation.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications will be prescreened before candidates are invited to an interview. As an equal opportunity employer, MSD is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.
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