Therapeutic Care Specialist
2 months ago
Mount Vernon
MOMA Therapeutic Care Specialist Job Description Position Overview MOMA Therapeutic Care Specialists provide in-home afterschool support to families where mothers are actively engaged in mental health treatment. This role combines childcare, household management, and therapeutic awareness to create protected time for maternal self-care and recovery. Specialists work independently in family homes during afterschool hours, implementing consistent routines while collaborating with referring therapists to support overall family wellness. Key Responsibilities • Direct Child and Family Support, • Provide afterschool care in family homes, typically 3-5 hours per day, • Supervise and assist with homework, ensuring completion and understanding, • Prepare nutritious snacks and meals according to family preferences and dietary needs, • Implement consistent behavioral expectations and routines established with families, • Optional: Transport children to activities when needed (requires valid driver's license and clean driving record)*, • Assist & Prompt Children to complete their chores ( children's laundry, organizing backpacks, dishes etc...) Therapeutic Integration and Documentation • Collaborate with referring therapists to understand family goals and therapeutic recommendations, • Document observations of child behavior, family dynamics, and routine implementation, • Maintain detailed daily logs for mothers, including activities completed, child mood/behavior, and any concerns, • Communicate professionally and promptly about significant concerns or changes, • Participate in periodic check-ins with program supervisor and referring therapist, • Support implementation of therapeutic strategies within appropriate scope Professional Conduct and Safety • Maintain professional boundaries while building trusting relationships with families, • Follow all mandatory reporting protocols for child safety concerns, • Implement emergency protocols and maintain calm during unexpected situations, • Protect family confidentiality and privacy at all times, • Model healthy communication and emotional regulation for children, • Maintain reliability and punctuality, recognizing families depend on consistent support Required Qualifications Education and Credentials: • Knowledge in Psychology, Social Work, Education, Child Development, or related field, • CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire), • Current background clearances (child abuse, criminal, ) or ability to obtain, • Optional: Valid driver's license with clean driving record and reliable vehicle, • Mental Health First Aid certification (or willingness to complete during onboarding) Experience: - Experience working directly with children and families • Demonstrated understanding of child development across age ranges, • Experience in educational, therapeutic, or family support settings preferred Skills and Competencies: • Strong observational and documentation skills, • Excellent communication abilities (verbal and written), • Flexibility and problem-solving in dynamic home environments, • Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse families, • Patience, empathy, and emotional intelligence, • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, • Dietary meal prep for kids, • Homework assistance capabilities across elementary/middle school subjects Preferred Qualifications • Experience in therapeutic or trauma-informed care settings, • Training in positive behavioral support or child behavior management, • Special education experience or coursework, • Previous experience as a nanny, teacher, social work assistant, or similar role Physical Requirements • Ability to engage in active play with children (bending, kneeling, running if kids are younger), • Capability to lift up to 40 pounds (for younger children), • Stamina to remain active and engaged for 3-5 hour shifts Schedule and Compensation Schedule: • Part-time, • Afterschool hours: typically 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM or 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Flexible)., • Monday through Friday (You choose your days and times) Compensation: • $35 - $40 per hour epending on education, experience, and certifications, • Paid training and supervision time, • Opportunity for performance-based raises Training and Professional Development Initial Training (Paid): Ongoing Development: • Monthly group supervision and case consultation (2 hours/month, paid), • Quarterly workshops on specialized topics, • Annual continuing education opportunities, • Access to online learning resources, • Individual supervision as needed Work Environment • In-home setting in various family homes throughout service area, • Independent work with remote supervision and support, • Professional collaboration with therapists, program coordinator, and other specialists, • Regular virtual or in-person team meetings Successful MOMA Therapeutic Care Specialists demonstrate: • Consistent reliability and punctuality, • Positive feedback from families and referring therapists, • Thorough and timely documentation, • Professional communication and appropriate boundary-setting, • Proactive problem-solving and adaptability, • Commitment to ongoing learning and self-improvement, • Alignment with program values of maternal support and family wellness Application Process Interested candidates should submit: Equal Opportunity Statement MOMA Support is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience navigating parenthood, mental health challenges, or family support systems. This position requires flexibility, compassion, and a genuine commitment to supporting families during vulnerable times. If you're passionate about maternal mental health and skilled in working with children, we'd love to hear from you.
