06/01/1989 31820

VOCATIONAL ADJUSTMENT SERVICES WORKER

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the field of vocational adjustment services at a facility for the mentally ill or retarded.

An employee in this class designs, implements, and evaluates vocational adjustment segments of individual program plans to further the comprehensive treatment/habilitation of patients/residents. The employee conducts formal patient/resident assessments of functioning levels, strengths, and needs and formulates suggested methods for responding to assessed needs for presentation to a multi-disciplinary team. The employee participates with the team in the development of individual patients'/residents' program plans and selects vocational adjustment activities to meet individual needs identified by the comprehensive team assessment. The employee monitors and reports patient/resident progress to the team and adapts vocational adjustment activities as dictated by the changing needs of the patient/resident. The employee may train, supervise, or direct non-professional personnel. An important aspect of the work is the on-going review and evaluation of patient/resident needs and progress toward achieving program goals. Work is performed independently under general supervision and is reviewed by a supervisory for quality and achievement of vocational adjustment program goals through observation, conferences, and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates vocational adjustment segments of comprehensive individual program plans.

Develops specifically planned vocational adjustment goals to implement the vocational adjustment segments of comprehensive individual program plans.

Contributes to vocational adjustment program planning and development.

Supervises or directs and instructs therapeutic activity aides in the conduct of vocational adjustment activities such as shop activities, furniture repair, horticultural activities, patient/resident worker activities, sub-component assembly, materials handling, collating, sorting, and packaging.

Attends multi-disciplinary team meetings and provides recommendations regarding the use or benefit of specific vocational adjustment methods in the individual patient's/resident's program plan.

Coordinates scheduling of space, equipment and staff for vocational adjustment activities within assigned areas and integrates scheduling with services provided by other clinical disciplines.

Screens and prepares referrals to other therapeutic services.

In Mental Health facilities, plans and conducts advanced or specialized vocational adjustment activities for which the employee is clinically privileged.

Provides individual instruction, direction, and support to patients/residents.

Maintains necessary administrative and clinical records, and requisitions supplies and equipment needed for the implementation of vocational adjustment services.

Participates in in- and out-service training to keep abreast of theory and methods in the field of vocational adjustment.

Participates in vocational adjustment services staff meetings.

May conduct in-service training for aides, volunteers, and other facility staff.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the theory and principles of vocational rehabilitation.

Knowledge of the elements of vocational adjustment programming such as vocational evaluation, work adjustment, skills training, placement, and vocational counseling.

Knowledge of the various kinds of vocational adjustment activities such as shop activities, furniture repair, horticultural activities, patient/resident worker activities, materials handling, sub-component assembly, collating, sorting, and
packaging, and the techniques to motivate patient/resident interest and participation in them.

Knowledge of the types and specifications of vocational adjustment equipment and supplies needed for vocational adjustment programs, and their proper care and maintenance.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior and effective ways of working with the mentally ill and retarded.

Knowledge of behavioral, rehabilitative, and developmental principles and practices, and their application to daily living situations.

Knowledge of departmental and facility policy and applicable standards.

Ability to develop skill in assessing patient/resident functioning level, strengths, needs, and progress of patients/residents relative to vocational adjustment program requirements.

Ability to develop skill in observing and evaluating patient/resident behavior, and in adapting activities to meet individual needs of patients/residents.

Ability to develop skill in writing clear and understandable assessments, program plans and progress notes in behavioral terms.

Ability to design, implement, and evaluate vocational adjustment segments of individual program plans in accordance with patients'/residents' functioning levels, strengths, and needs.

Ability to write clear and concise vocational adjustment program planned descriptions, goals, and objectives.

Ability to supervise aides.

Ability to foster interest, initiative, responsibility, and independence on the part of patients/residents, and assist them in developing appropriate behavior.

Ability to coordinate vocational adjustment activities with services offered by other clinical disciplines.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to instruct other professional and non-professional staff in the theory and practice of vocational adjustment services.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Graduation from a four year college or university with major course work in Vocational Rehabilitation, Vocational Education or Counseling, or a related Human Services field;

                                                                                                                                                                        or

Four years of experience in the field of Vocational Adjustment Services for those with mental or physical illness or handicaps.

                                                                                                                                                                        or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.