Job Shadow

Jill Weiser Nursey Coordinator (Houseparents Rita, Neil, and McKall)
Family Support & Treatment Center, Orem, UT

1. What are the services, products, or functions of the organization? Provide prevention and treatment of child abuse through parenting classes, prevention classes at school, therapy, and providing free nursery services to parents who need a break or are in a crisis situation.
2. Who utilized the organization’s services or products? About 50% or a little more of the children who come to the nursery have been abused. Others are in crisis situations, foster care, or domestic issues are going on in the home.
3. What types of positions are available? Most of the one-on-one interactions with the children come from volunteers. There is always a house parent on duty 24 hours a day. Also in the center are secretaries, the nursery coordinator (Jill), social workers, and therapists.
4. What duties and responsibilities are performed( in the area in which you are interested)? In the nursery there the house parent is responsible to oversee all of the volunteers that come in and out of the center each day. They are responsible for all meals and snacks. They also are responsible for any disciple that is needed with the children in the nursery.
5. What are some examples of projects currently under way and problems currently being solved? We are currently holding a parenting class in the center each Wednesday night. Heidi has also been developing a class for the children dealing with anger management. We have had some problems with violent kids in the nursery so we thought this would be a good way to combat that.
6. What is a typical day like? A typical day I get here early in the morning. Go over the list of children that will be coming into the center that day. I watch for bad behaviors, prepare morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. I enjoy playing with the kids any chance I get, but most of that comes from the volunteers because I’m kept pretty busy.
7. What types of physical localities are involved: outdoors, indoors, travel? We have both indoor and outdoor facilities for our nursery. We are not required to travel as part of the nursery. There are therapist’s that do home visits and conduct parenting classes in their homes.
8. What suggestions do you have for an individual wishing to enter this field of employment? Volunteer and be involved as much as you can. Keep on the lookout for open positions for house parents. That is the best place to get employment unless you get your degree to do social work or therapy.
9. What do you like least about your job and why? I like least having to deal with violent kids and have them feel bad. We have to keep the center a safe place, but you know when they are acting out there is usually a reason and it could be something that is not really their fault. They may not know any better because of the way they have been treated.

I was very impressed with the center and the employees. They really changed my perception of abuse and the effects it has. I did do some volunteer work and it really helped me to understand how much I like working with kids. I am trying to decide if I want to get a degree in school counseling and teaching or still in respiratory therapy and specialize in neo-natal or pediatrics. Either way I would be working with kids who need help, but very different aspects of help. I really enjoyed this assignment. I am glad I got the chance to visit this center and be involved.