01/01/94 D

This is the second class in a series of classes for positions which provide direct care services to clients with diverse mental/emotional illnesses and developmental disabilities. These journey level positions perform all the duties of Mental Health/Mental Retardation Care Workers and, in addition, are responsible for planning and/or monitoring unit or program activities. The class is distinguished from the Human Services Care Worker class by lead work responsibilities which include preparing routine ward reports, reporting staff shortages to the supervisor, ensuring that the unit work area is kept clean and orderly, and monitoring and scheduling the work of Human Services Care Workers. This class is distinguished from the Human Services Care Supervisor class by the latter's responsibility to formally supervise direct care staff.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty, occasionally complicated by disruptive client behavior, severe skill defects, and lead worker responsibilities. This class monitors and schedules tasks of subordinate workers, receives previous shift reports and prepares reports for oncoming shift, plans, oversees and may present client activities (recreation, games, arts and crafts), instructs clients in basic hygiene, social skills and self help skills, and developmental and physical activities, observes and monitors clients' physical and behavioral status and records observations in the client record. Positions review client record entries made by Human Services Care Workers for completeness, attend interdisciplinary treatment team meetings to discuss treatment plans, oversee assigned care staff and clients on off-grounds outings and/or activities. Positions may conduct routine health care procedures, such as taking vital signs and providing first aid for minor injuries, reporting situations requiring medical attention. This class is responsible for maintaining a clean and safe living area, reporting situations requiring the attention of maintenance and housekeeping staff, and for ensuring that clients have appropriate, clean clothing. Positions attend in-service meetings and training

programs; and assist with the orientation of new staff and clients to the units.

Supervision Given: Supervision is not a factor; however, this class functions as a lead worker, monitoring and scheduling tasks of Human Services Care Workers.

Supervision Received: Receives immediate supervision from nurse, direct care or professional service supervisor.

Scope: The class facilitates the care, treatment, training and habilitative and/or rehabilitation activities of clients in an assigned unit, program, or cottage.

Impact of Actions: Actions have significant impact on clients in terms of safety, security, and physical and mental well-being.

Personal Contacts: Contacts outside the unit are limited to accompanying clients to appointments, outings, etc., and providing non-clinical information to families. Most contacts are with clients and other treatment staff concerning clients' care and progress.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the principles of work leadership; of unit procedures and applicable agency regulations related to direct client care; of the characteristics of the assigned client population, such as emotional disturbance, mental illness, mental retardation or developmental disability; and a variety of program activities.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to assign and schedule tasks to subordinate staff; follow oral and written instructions; provide direct care to clients; observe and describe observations orally and in writing; instruct clients in basic hygiene and social skills; communicate with clients with a variety of physical and mental disabilities; respond and intervene in crisis or problem situations; oversee clients and staff in recreational and social activities; lift moderately heavy objects and clients when necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Completion of high school or equivalent, and the agency approved training program for direct care staff.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience as a Human Services Care Worker or a comparable position.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was established as part of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program and is a consolidation of the Psychiatric Charge Aide, Training Center Developmental Technician, Special Activities Assistant, and Mental Health Worker classes, effective January 1, 1994.