MENTAL HEALTH TRAINEE

MENTAL HEALTH AIDE TRAINEE

7018F1

Pay Grade: 10

DEFINITION OF WORK

Summary

An employee in this class is in the process of being trained to perform procedures required in the active treatment, development or rehabilitation for the individuals of a state operated treatment facility for the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

Standard Classification Factors

Supervision Received - LEVEL A: "Under immediate supervision…" "Immediate" means that the employee has little or no authority to select alternative work methods or to render independent judgments of any consequence. Each task is performed according to detailed instructions, written or oral. Assignments are usually for a short duration and when completed are usually checked for accuracy, adherence to instructions and established regulations, as well as the worker’s rate of performance.

Difficulty - LEVEL A: Routine… Where the work is usually repetitive and the employee works from detailed instructions, the difficulty is usually limited to accuracy and speed.

Complexity - LEVEL A: Work is a simple or routine nature requiring very little analytical thought. Tasks are clearly defined, highly organized, closely related and often repetitive. Few if any alternatives exist for methods or procedures to be used. Work is usually in the form of specific assignments and is closely reviewed for accuracy and progress. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually detailed, easy-to-follow instructions that cover all or most of the important aspects of the work. Workers at this level can readily determine the actions which need to be taken.

Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.

Contacts - LEVEL A: The purpose of the contact is to obtain, clarify, give or screen established factual information, regardless of the type (i.e., easily understood or technical) within a well-defined relationship. Normal communication skills are required.

Physical Demands - LEVEL D: The work requires considerable physical exertion.

Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible.

Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL A: No supervisory or leadership responsibility; may explain work instructions or assist in training others.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Differs from the Mental Health Aide class by the maximum degree of supervision received, the limited latitude for independent action allowed incumbents and participation in training courses.

Differs from the mental Retardation class series in which the training provided is for the care and treatment of the mentally retarded.

Differs fro the Hospital Trainee class in which the work is varying in kind and level and in conjunction with a training provided to matriculated college students.

Differs from the Developmental Disability Technician Trainee class which provides training to perform the procedures required in the active treatment, development, or rehabilitation for the individuals of a state operated treatment facility for the developmentally disabled.

Differs from the Mental Health Aide class which is full performance technical work providing personal services and assisting in active treatment for the individuals of a state operated treatment facility for the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Receives, from supervisors and training staff, classroom and on-unit instruction and training which is designed to teach the incumbent the basic skills and procedures required to provide active treatment for patients individuals.

Learns to observe and record patients individuals' behavior, progress, regression, and reactions, and to take and record vital signs.

Escorts low-risk patients individuals to meals, training, treatment, recreational activities, and other appointments.

Assists trained staff in providing for the basic personal care and grooming of the patients individuals.

Depending upon the functioning level and individual treatment plan of the patient individual, this involvement may vary from total care to training or supervising patient individuals to care for themselves.

Assists in maintaining a safe, clean, comfortable, and therapeutic unit environment; obtains equipment, makes deliveries, places supplies and linens in appropriate areas.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Knowledge

*Knowledge of basic English and arithmetic.

Knowledge of patient's rights.

Abilities

Ability to learn the procedures for preventing injuries to patients, self, and others.

Ability to learn the procedures for documenting patient behavior and progress.

Ability to learn the basic techniques for treating mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients.

Ability to learn the principles and procedures used in working with mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients.

*Ability to express self, orally and in writing.

*Ability to work and interact with personnel and patients.

*Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to relate to and work constructively with mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients.

*Ability to read and understand training materials, laws, regulations and policies.

*Ability to learn and carry out tasks related to the treatment of mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients.

*Ability to develop an understanding of patient needs and rights.

*Ability to apply learned theory and principles to actual situations.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

High school or equivalent

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class require that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must take and pass a drug screening test approved by the Division of Personnel Services

REV: 12/95
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 09/03