Assistant Case Manager/Sitter (Temp/Contract position)

Description

A world where every child is safe, every family is strong, and hope outshines hardship. We help children heal from trauma so they can build healthy relationships, succeed in education and discover their own world of opportunities and possibilities. This happens by engaging a child in the context of their family issues. We know that, to end a cycle of abuse or trauma, we must work with children to clarify their thoughts and feelings and get a realistic view of each family member’s role in their life.
 

In response to this community-wide challenge, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS), now operates 12 programs in 34 locations, serving nearly 4,500 children and families each year, which provide children with permanent homes and adults with increased self-sufficiency. This is accomplished by the agency’s commitment to “The PCHAS Way” which inspires the agency to be strength-focused, family-centered, and goal driven with every client.
 

Benefits of serving children and families in need through PCHAS include competitive salaries, flex work schedules, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance options, voluntary life insurance options, paid holidays, and a very generous retirement plan (after one year of service and working 1,000 hours the agency matches an employee 200% up to a 3%. 

Position Summary:

We are seeking a dependable, compassionate, and flexible individual to serve in a Temporary Sitter / Assistant Case Manager capacity. This position will provide support across two primary areas of service: patient safety supervision in a mental health setting and case management support for children and families participating in the Foster Care Case Management (FCCM) program.

The selected individual may alternate between sitter and assistant case management responsibilities based on current client needs, staffing requirements, scheduling, and workload. The ability to transition between assignments while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, safety, and appropriate boundaries is essential.

As a Patient Sitter, the individual will provide continuous supervision, companionship, and safety monitoring for clients in a mental health unit. This is a strictly non-clinical role. The sitter will work alongside facility staff and will promptly communicate medical, behavioral, or safety concerns to the appropriate personnel.

As an Assistant Case Manager/Case Aide, the individual will provide transportation, supervised visitation, documentation, and general support to children and families involved in the FCCM program. The individual will work under the direction of the assigned Foster Care Case Manager or Supervisor and follow all applicable agency policies and safety requirements.

This position is ideal for someone who is dependable, observant, patient, adaptable, and comfortable working with individuals and families in a variety of settings.

Essential Job Functions: 

Patient Sitter / Safety Companion Responsibilities 

• Provide continuous supervision and maintain awareness of the client's whereabouts, activities, and general condition.
• Maintain a calm, safe, respectful, and supportive environment.
• Provide appropriate companionship, reassurance, and supportive presence.
• Observe and recognize changes in behavior, mood, activity, or circumstances that may present a safety concern.
• Promptly notify appropriate facility staff of concerning behavior, changes, incidents, or client needs.
• Follow all safety procedures, unit guidelines, and instructions provided by mental health unit staff.
• Communicate relevant observations to facility staff throughout the shift.
• Provide an appropriate and thorough handoff to the incoming sitter or facility staff at the end of each shift.
• Assist with basic, non-clinical needs when appropriate and within the scope of the position.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients, visitors, and facility staff.
• Maintain client confidentiality and protect sensitive information at all times.
• Remain alert, attentive, and present for the duration of the assigned shift.
• Follow all applicable facility policies and procedures.

Assistant Case Manager / Case Aide Responsibilities 

• Provide supervised visitation for children and their parents/families in accordance with case plans and agency requirements.
• Safely transport children and clients to and from supervised visits, foster care placements, medical appointments, school, and other approved activities.
• Travel throughout the state as required to meet the needs of children and families.
• Monitor parent-child interactions during supervised visitation and provide appropriate support and guidance.
• Address and reinforce positive parenting skills during supervised visits.
• Promote positive parenting practices, healthy family relationships, and appropriate child development.
• Support efforts to reduce the risk of child maltreatment by modeling and reinforcing safe and appropriate parenting behaviors.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation regarding transportation, visitation, client interactions, and other services provided.
• Communicate observations and relevant information to the assigned Foster Care Case Manager or Supervisor.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality when working with children, families, foster parents, and other service providers.
• Follow all agency policies, safety procedures, and applicable requirements related to working with children and families.
• Perform other duties related to the support of the FCCM program as assigned.

Flexibility Between Assignments 

• Be prepared to alternate between sitter and assistant case management responsibilities based on current workload, client needs, and program requirements.
• Demonstrate flexibility when schedules, assignments, or client needs change.
• Maintain consistent professionalism and appropriate boundaries regardless of assignment or setting.
• Communicate effectively with facility staff, case managers, supervisors, clients, children, families, foster parents, and other service providers.
• Complete all assigned duties within the individual's training, authorization, and scope of responsibility.

Working Conditions:

This temporary position may involve working in a variety of environments depending on the assignment.

Sitter assignments may take place in mental health units or other designated facility settings and may require extended periods of continuous observation and supervision.

Assistant Case Manager assignments may involve work in offices, homes, foster homes, residential facilities, hospitals, schools, and other community locations.

The position may require:

• Working days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and/or extended shifts based on program and client needs.
• Sitting, standing, bending, reaching, walking, and other routine physical activity.
• Driving regularly throughout various geographic and community settings.
• Traveling extensively throughout the state as required.
• Lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Using computers, telephones, copiers, calculators, and other standard office equipment.
• Maintaining alertness and attentiveness for extended periods.
• Remaining professional and composed when working with children, families, or individuals experiencing challenging circumstances.
• Working independently while also following direction from facility staff, case managers, and supervisors.

Because sitter assignments may require continuous coverage, scheduling may include 8-hour shifts, 12-hour shifts, or a combination of shift lengths, depending on staffing and coverage needs.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Valid driver's license required for assignments involving transportation.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel as required.
• Ability to work effectively with children, parents, foster families, clients, facility staff, and other professionals.
• Strong observation, communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Ability to remain calm, attentive, and professional in potentially challenging situations.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, safety procedures, agency policies, and facility guidelines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to remain engaged and attentive throughout an assigned shift.
• Ability to adapt to changing schedules, assignments, and client needs.
• Ability to safely transport clients when transportation duties are assigned.
• Ability to work independently while appropriately communicating concerns and observations to supervisors or designated staff.

Preferred Experience: 

Prior experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred but may not be required:

• Patient sitting or patient observation
• Behavioral health or mental health
• Healthcare or hospital settings
• Caregiving or companion services
• Direct support services
• Nursing assistance
• Foster care or child welfare
• Social services
• Case management support
• Working with children and families
• Supervised visitation
• Community-based services

Candidates may be considered based on their overall experience, qualifications, reliability, communication skills, and ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Other Requirements:

• Must be dependable and consistently report for scheduled assignments.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive client and family information.
• Must maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Must comply with all applicable agency, facility, safety, and client-specific requirements.
• Must be willing to complete any required onboarding, orientation, training, background screening, or other pre-employment requirements applicable to the assignment.
• Must immediately communicate safety concerns, incidents, significant changes in client behavior or condition, and other relevant concerns to the appropriate staff member or supervisor.
• Must perform only duties that are within the individual's training, authorization, and assigned responsibilities.

Non-Clinical Scope of Sitter Assignment 

The Patient Sitter / Safety Companion assignment is strictly non-clinical. The individual will not:

• Provide medical treatment or clinical care.
• Administer medications.
• Provide counseling or psychotherapy.
• Perform behavioral health assessments.
• Make clinical decisions or diagnoses.
• Provide behavioral health treatment.
• Perform duties outside their training, authorization, or assigned responsibilities.

Any medical, behavioral, or safety concerns must be promptly communicated to the appropriate facility staff.

Temporary Contract Term:

This is an approximately six-week temporary contract position. The initial assignment is expected to last approximately six weeks; however, the contract may be extended based on the amount of work available, client needs, program needs, staffing requirements, and organizational needs.

The selected individuals should be comfortable with the possibility that assignments and hours may vary throughout the contract period.

Christian Commitment: 

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) is a faith-based organization guided by Christ’s love, dedicated to creating a world where every child is safe, every family is strong, and hope outshines hardship.

Through Christ-centered care, we empower children, young adults, and families by nurturing their strengths, resilience, and faith. We strive to serve like Jesus—meeting those we serve where they are, treating them with dignity and compassion, and walking alongside them with grace and understanding.

At PCHAS, we focus on the strengths and potential within each individual, encouraging those we serve to look forward with hope and confidence rather than being defined by past challenges. When we live out this mission well, we help children and families experience hope, thrive in their journeys, and know the enduring love of God.