Pros
Great coworkers. If you’re there for clinical experience there will be a lot to learn.
Cons
Almost everything. The facilities are so micromanaged that it took days for purchases to be approved for items that were needed immediately, including food. Management will continually ask you to do things that challenge anyone’s ethical standards. I witnessed several instances of illegal behavior. The high turnover rate produces a “treatment program” in which clients (and employees) with abandonment issues are retraumatized over and over again. Do not expect good training in how to interact with troubled teenagers. Do not expect to receive much support in figuring out how to do your job correctly: it’s “sink or swim.” The instability combined with no one knowing how to do their jobs makes for dangerous working conditions that only harm, not help, clients and staff. Because hardly anyone stays around you are not only worked to the bone but exposed to constant emotional distress from people leaving. The pay is atrocious. A floor staff member cautioned me when I first arrived at the facility: “No one has been here that long. The only thing good about this place is the kids. They’re going to work you to death.” Unfortunately, she was 100% correct. Based on my experience I’m not convinced that the owners are actually interested in helping clients. Money and cutting costs matter more to them
