11/01/94 B

This is the third class in the Human Services Direct Care series. This class is responsible for conducting or leading habilitation or training programs for clients. With interdisciplinary team coordination or professional consultation, positions in this class develop and implement client activity programs that promote social, recreation/leisure, personal care, independent living, or vocational skills and self esteem and motivation. This class is distinguished from the Human Services Care Specialist Senior class by its concentrated involvement in special activity programs and the latter's involvement in direct support of interdisciplinary active treatment or professional counseling activities, client assessment, program development and coordination, and/or staff training.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty. Positions in this class meet with clients regularly to conduct habilitation, training, or therapeutic activities to identify and resolve problems, and to achieve treatment plan goals determined by treatment team professionals. Positions observe clients and meet with other treatment staff to evaluate interests, skills, physical abilities, and personality factors that are used to design habilitation or training programs; plan activities appropriate to client treatment needs; and conduct activities which may include instructing and overseeing support staff or volunteers who assist in the delivery of services. Positions make arrangements for off-campus programs or coordinate community services related to client activities. May assist in screening clients for workshop or supported employment participation and instruct and monitor them in these activities. Positions may assemble or order equipment or supplies to support the planned activities. This class develops activities to support treatment plan goals, writes progress notes, and may serve as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Support Given: Supervision is not a factor. This class provides direction to support staff, volunteers, and/or student assistants.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from a professional therapist, counselor, facility team leader, or program manager on issues that would affect an entire program or substantially affect a client's treatment or habilitation plan.

Scope: Plans and insures the implementation of specialized programs and conducts or oversees group or individual program activities for assigned clients.

Impact of Actions: Decisions have serious impact on client progress and the ability of the interdisciplinary team to provide active treatment. Positions in this class identify program needs and assist in developing components of treatment plans.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with facility clinicians, clients, families, and community services and organizations regarding client care and activities.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of physiological or personality development, behavior modification techniques, of recreational and activities programs, and basic treatment modalities for persons with mental illness, mental retardation, physical handicaps, or substance abuse. Working knowledge of learning theory.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to conduct personal interviews and group discussions; to plan and conduct recreation, activities, or leisure skills programs; to communicate effectively in order to instruct and oversee volunteers and staff and to interact effectively with interdisciplinary team members and a wide range of client age groups and disabilities; to provide activities for clients having varying skill levels; to observe behavior and write progress reports; to monitor client progress.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: High school graduation with additional training in sociology, psychology, recreation, or other related human services field. Some training in leisure or workshop activities and crafts.

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable experience working with persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse clients. Experience in organizing, planning and conducting and supervising activities for individuals and groups.

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 some positions in the Mental Health Worker class (1981), the Mental Health Worker Team Leader class (1981), Training Center Team Leader class (1983), Special Activities Supervisor class (1976), and Recreation Supervisor A and B classes (1958), effective November 1, 1994.