Position Scope

As a Youth Care Worker at the Akoma Family Centre, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to providing compassionate care and support to children in our facility. If you are passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children and are committed to upholding our standards of practice, we invite you to apply for the Youth Care Worker role at the Akoma Family Centre.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

(a) Possess a Bachelor's degree in a social science or completion of a Child and Youth Care Worker diploma from the Nova Scotia Community College or another provincially approved post-secondary institution with an articulation agreement from an accredited university which offers a Child and Youth Care diploma. For those applicants who are applying from outside the province of Nova Scotia, only graduates of programs approved by the appropriate provincial/territorial authority will be considered for employment in licensed child-caring facilities. An equivalent combination of education, training and related experience may be accepted;

(b) Must have a comprehensive understanding of the needs of children in our care, along with effective report writing skills, verbal communication and counselling skills.

(c) The ability to maintain rapport, serve as a role model and demonstrate an approach toward the children, which is compatible with the program model of the child-caring facility.

(d) Must have a reliable vehicle and a valid Class 5 driver's license with no conditions on the license to transport youth.

Responsibilities

A Youth Care Worker at Akoma Family Centre is accountable for meeting all standards and expectations of the Province of Nova Scotia as cited in:

Provincial Standards for Child Caring Facilities

Children and Family Services Act

Nova Scotia Child Abuse Protocol

Akoma Family Centre Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct or Ethics of the Child and Youth Care Professional Associations

Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act

Akoma Family Centre Policies and Procedures

Youth Care Worker Standard of Practice

At the Akoma Family Centre, our standards of practice serve as the foundational framework for our operations, influencing every aspect of our interactions and interventions. These standards are:

Trauma-Informed Practice
Child Engagement
Cultural Awareness
Team Collaboration
Professionalism

These principles are integrated into every responsibility and duty to ensure that our care is effective, respectful, and culturally responsive.

Child Engagement

Create a caring and supportive environment that fosters children's well-being and enriches their lives.
Plan and execute daily recreational, social, and educational activities that promote children's development.
Implement interventions to address areas of growth in the children in our care, utilizing best practices and professional services.
Maintain developmentally appropriate expectations and discipline strategies for the children in your care.
Develop positive nurturing relationship with the children in your care.
Administer prescribed medication safely and responsibly, always prioritizing the child's well-being.

Trauma-Informed Practice

Utilize Africentric Trauma Informed principles that focus on individual needs, abilities and experiences, when making decisions for the children in your care.
Implement individualized Care Plans for children in Akoma care, ensuring interventions are trauma-informed and culturally relevant.

Cultural Awareness

Preserve and promote a culturally sensitive atmosphere, ensuring Africentric approaches are respected and upheld and diversity is respected.
Provide care that maintains Africentric approaches to socialization and Black health promotion, actively disrupting anti-Black racism within the care environment.
Team Collaboration

Participate in teamwork and foster cooperation among colleagues.

Ensure all reports are completed and processed within jurisdictional and organizational timeframes, adhering to Provincial and Akoma policies.

Work closely with external professionals and agencies to foster progressive and comprehensive care for children.

Demonstrate professional behavior that fosters a supportive and safe environment for colleagues

Professionalism

Complete all administrative tasks, including logging activities, documenting medication, and ensuring shift change forms and daily checklists are accurately maintained.
Model appropriate behavior, language, and life skills to guide and support the children.
Mentor and train new Youth Care Workers and student placements, reinforcing our tenets in all training efforts.
Uphold the tenants of Akoma's Code of Conduct
Adhere to all Akoma Family Centre and Department of Community Services policies and procedures.
Maintain all documentation/certifications required by Department of Community Services. (File Audit)
Attend and participate in staff meetings, team meetings and training sessions to stay informed on best practices and policies.

General Duties

Maintain the cleanliness and safety of the facilities, including dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and monitoring for damage. Report and document any issues as per protocol.

Documentation

Other Duties as assigned by a manager

Must have a valid Driver's License, reliable vehicle, clean drivers abstract and insurance

Must be able to lift 50lbs

Must be able to utilize NVCI as needed

Additional Notes

The position requires the incumbent to work with children who have trauma histories which can have an impact on the child's behaviors. The work can be emotionally, physically and mentally demanding.

The work involves shift work including overnight shifts. There is $4 shift premiums for night shifts and weekends

Must be able to work independently and under stressful conditions

Applicants must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen. We are unable to sponsor visas at this time.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months

Pay: $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Additional pay:
Overtime pay
Benefits:
On-site parking
Schedule:
12 hour shift
Day shift
Night shift
Overtime

Application question(s):
Do you have a vehicle?

Licence/Certification:
Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person