UNIT PROGRAM SUPERVISOR (MENTAL HEALTH)

DEFINITION

This is professional program planning, management, and supervisory work of substantial scope and complexity for a treatment sub-unit or a stand-alone unit in a residential or in-patient mental health facility for persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and/or mental illness.

This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Supervises professional and/or direct care staff in a treatment sub-unit or a stand-alone unit of less than 45 inpatient beds; functions as a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) in facilities for persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities.

Develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates individual habilitation, rehabilitation, and/or treatment plans adapted to the needs of clients to include integrating various aspects of the facility's program, recording each client's progress, initiating periodic reviews, and preparing summary reports.

Chairs and directs an interdisciplinary team in the development and evaluation of individualized habilitation, rehabilitation, and/or treatment plans; reviews reports and related information developed by team members; and directs and monitors changes in program plans.

Supervises clinical staff in implementing habilitation, rehabilitation, and/or treatment plans; observes staff interaction with clients and prepares performance evaluations.

Coordinates and supervises individual and group program activities; schedules program plan implementation and monitors client participation and progress; and prepares necessary reports and records.

Initiates special studies and prepares related reports as assigned.

Investigates reports of rule infractions and client and employee complaints; takes appropriate action and/or refers problems to designated individual for resolution.

Exercises independent judgment and initiative within the limit of established guidelines and procedures; receives general supervision from a Mental Health Manager or other designee.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Comprehensive knowledge of current practices, methods, and techniques as they apply to habilitation, rehabilitation, and/or treatment of persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and/or mental illness.

Comprehensive knowledge of the behavioral sciences and allied disciplines involved in the evaluation, care and treatment, habilitation, and/or rehabilitation of persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and/or mental illness.

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of supervision and training as related to programming for persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and/or mental illness.

Ability to plan, coordinate, and adapt a variety of program activities to meet the specialized needs, abilities, and conditions of clients.

Ability to assign, direct, and review the work of staff involved in the implementation of programs.

Ability to collect and analyze information in making decisions concerning client services.

Ability to evaluate the progress of clients and the quality of a variety of services and programs.

Ability to develop and write effective and practical individual habilitation, rehabilitation, and/or treatment plans and related program procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and other facility staff.

SPECIAL NOTE

Applicants for positions in the Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities must be eligible for designation as a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) under Federal standards for an Intermediate Care Facility-Mental Retardation (ICF-MR).

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

(The following requirements will determine merit system eligibility, experience and education ratings, and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers. When practical and possible, the Division of Personnel will accept substitution of experience and education on a year-for-year basis.)

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 24 earned semester hours or 36 earned quarter hours in one or a combination of the following: Education, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling, Recreation (including specialty areas such as Art, Dance, Music, or Physical Education), Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing, or other specialties in the field of human services; and,

Three or more years of professional experience working with persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities and/or mental illness.

(24 earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified areas may substitute for one year of the required experience.)

(Experience as a Registered Nurse may substitute on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of two years of the required education.)

(Minor Revision 9/12/08)