PSYCHIATRIC FORENSIC LEAD WORKER 44082

01/01/94 D

This is the second in a series of classes for positions which provide direct care to clients and have responsibility for security in a maximum security forensic unit within a mental health facility, or a mental health unit within a correctional facility. Positions in this class have lead worker responsibilities, and work with clients who have diverse mental illnesses and receive psychiatric treatment and evaluation in a secure environment due to involvement in the criminal justice system. Duties are performed in a stressful, potentially dangerous and physically demanding environment. Positions in this class perform all the duties of a Psychiatric Forensic Worker, and in addition are responsible for monitoring and leading ward activities. This class is distinguished from the Psychiatric Forensic Worker class by lead worker responsibilities which include preparing routine ward reports, reporting staff shortages, insuring the cleanliness, safety, and security of the ward, monitoring and assigning work of Psychiatric Forensic Workers, accounting for all assigned clients, and making decisions related to client monitoring.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty, occasionally complicated by undesirable or potentially violent client behavior. This class leads and oversees all client activities, and inspects and observes the physical environment, the clients, visitors, and all activities to insure that escapes do not occur. Frisks clients and visitors and oversees locked ward security procedures; observes and monitors clients' physical, psychological, and behavioral status and records observations in the medical record, which contribute to psychiatric assessments and judicial decisions regarding the ability of clients to stand trial, and sentencing to a correctional facility or commitment to a psychiatric facility. Positions may be required to present observations in court; attends treatment team meetings to discuss treatment plans, accompanies clients (who are placed in restraints) on essential off-site outings such as medical appointments, performs routine care such as taking vital signs and providing first aid for minor injuries, and reporting situations requiring medical attention. This class makes work assignments to Psychiatric Forensic Workers, and monitors the work, prepares reports, and has accountability for all assigned clients and the activities implemented on a given shift.

Supervision Given: Supervision is not a factor; however, this class leads, monitors and schedules the work of Psychiatric Forensic Workers.

Supervision Received: Receives supervision from a nurse, clinician, or other direct care supervisor.

Scope: Implements and oversees activities for assigned clients in the unit.

Impact of Actions: Actions have serious impact in terms of the safety, security, and physical and mental well-being of clients. Inappropriate decisions and actions could result in dangerous behavior (i.e., fights, escapes, suicides) which can have serious impact on the facility, the agency, the community, staff, and clients.

Personal Contacts: Frequent contacts with clients and other treatment staff concerning clients' care and progress. Occasional contacts with clients' families and officials in the judicial system providing non-clinical information about the clients' care and behavior.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of unit procedures and applicable agency regulations related to direct client care and security; working knowledge of security procedures; some knowledge of the characteristics of the client population such as emotional disturbance, mental illness, mental retardation or developmental disability; some knowledge of patterns of criminal behavior; and of the principles of work leadership.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to assign and lead the work of others; to follow written and oral instructions; to provide direct care to clients, observe and describe observations orally and in writing; instruct clients in basic hygiene and social skills; to communicate with clients with a variety of physical and mental disabilities and criminal backgrounds; to respond and intervene in crisis or problem situations; to oversee clients in recreational and social activities; to lift heavy objects and clients when necessary; to conduct searches and inspections to insure there is no breach of the locked security environment; and to perform cleaning and housekeeping duties.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: High school graduation or equivalent.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience in a direct care or 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 revised as a part of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program, effective January 1, 1994.