03/01/1984 31840

VOCATIONAL ADJUSTMENT SERVICES SUPERVISOR

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

An employee in this class plans, organizes, and supervises the delivery of vocational adjustment services to patients/residents. Work involves directing the design, implementation and evaluation of vocational adjustment programs, including the assessment of patients'/residents' functioning levels, strengths, and needs, formulation of vocational adjustment segments of comprehensive individual program plans, and presentation of treatment/habilitative methods to a multi-disciplinary team. Employees develop operational procedures, interpret policies and services to staff personnel, and direct the coordination of vocational adjustment services with other professional services. Supervision is exercised over a staff of professional workers and aides. Work is performed with a considerable degree of independence under the general direction of a Vocational Adjustment Services Manager or other administrative supervisor and is reviewed through conferences and reports to determine quality and achievement of established objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes and supervises vocational adjustment services provided to patients/residents in a facility for the mentally ill or retarded.

Participates in developing and coordinating policies and procedures related to vocational adjustment program planning and development.

Directs the development, implementation and evaluation of vocational adjustment segments of the comprehensive individual patient/resident program plans.

Develops operational procedures pertinent to the conduct of vocational adjustment programs.

Interprets policies and procedures to staff personnel and cooperates in the coordination of vocational adjustment services with other professional services.

Supervises professional and non-professional workers.

Initiates corrective disciplinary action for minor misconduct by employees and recommends major corrective disciplinary actions or dismissals.

Prepares and signs employee performance evaluations.

Interviews prospective employees and recommends employee selection or ranks applicants in terms of preferability for employment.

Receives grievances and complaints, conducts initial investigation into causes and conditions, discusses with employee, and resolves complaints or recommends solutions.

Receives, reviews, and approves or disapproves leaves requests.

Communicates contractual and administrative rights and obligations to employees and modifies work environment or processes to conform to changing conditions.

Participates in and evaluates the effectiveness of staff development programs to develop and enhance supervisory skills.

Identifies training needs to staff; evaluates and initiates training recommendations and appraises the effective of training on overall performance of staff; plans and conducts on-the-job training; and demonstrates more efficient work methods.

Consults with the multi-disciplinary team on the development and conduct of vocational adjustment programs.

Coordinates delivery of vocational adjustment services within assigned areas and integrates vocational adjustment services with services provided by other clinical disciplines, in accordance with patient/resident program plans.

Serves on unit, building or facility administrative or policy other clinical services.

Participates in peer view processes.

In Mental Health facilities, directs advanced or specialized vocational adjustment activities for which subordinate workers are clinically privileged.

Reviews reports of subordinate staff, and maintains necessary administrative and clinical records.

Requisitions, inspects and supervises proper maintenance of supplies and equipment needed for the implementation of vocational adjustment services.

Performs related work as required.

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

Knowledge of the principles and methods of fostering physical and mental health and the treatment and rehabilitation of the mentally ill and retarded through vocational adjustment programs.

Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of the therapeutic use of patient/resident vocational adjustment activities.

Knowledge of the elements of vocational adjustment programming such as vocational evaluations, 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 equipment and supplies needed for vocational adjustment services, and their proper care and maintenance.

Knowledge of production and training methods.

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

Knowledge of the principles and methods of supervision.

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.

Knowledge of health and safety policies, procedures, and practices.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of in-service training programs pertinent to vocational adjustment, and out-service training resources.

Skills in reviewing assessments of patients'/residents' functioning level, strengths, needs, and progress relative to vocational adjustment program requirements.

Skill in observing and evaluating vocational adjustment services, and in directing staff in adapting activities to meet individual needs of patients/residents.

Ability to utilize clinical and program data in planning, evaluating and directing implementation of vocational adjustment programs and to adapt and implement such programs as required.

Ability to plan, assign, coordinate and evaluate the work of technical, professional and non-professional staff.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other professional and non-professional personnel within the facility and in the community.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Vocational Adjustment Services Worker.

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Two years of professional experience in the field of vocational adjustment services, and 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.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.