State of Maryland

A Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisor Lead is the lead level of work overseeing an assigned client residence area and providing crisis counseling and supportive teaching residents of the dormitory, community living skills program or assisted living unit at the Maryland Rehabilitation Center.  Employees in this classification assign, review, approve the work of and train lower-level Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisors.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Supervisor or other designated health professional or administrator.  Employees may be assigned to day, evening or rotating shifts to include holidays and weekends and are subject to call-in and overtime.  Employees are required to maintain a healthy, safe and sanitary environment for individuals with disabilities who are generally independent in their activities of daily living.  Employees may be required to restrain clients displaying violent or aggressive behavior.  The work may require the lifting and positioning of non-ambulatory clients and the lifting of wheelchairs and other heavy equipment.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisor Lead is differentiated from the Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisor II in that the Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisor Lead assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisors while the Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisor II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of lower-level Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisors;

Trains lower-level Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisors in the policies and procedures applicable to overseeing an assigned client residence area;

Provides advice and guidance to lower-level Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisors on how to handle situations that arise when working with clients;

Coordinates services with the Registered Nurses and security staff on duty;

Participates in monthly meetings with the supervisor of the Residential Services Department to discuss issues such as scheduling problems, staff relationships, and specific client issues;

Orients individuals with disabling conditions to the dormitory and the Maryland Rehabilitation Center;

Intervenes in crisis situations and assists individuals with disabling conditions in solving problems;

Co-facilitates group sessions for clients;

Monitors residential environments to ensure maintenance of health and safety standards;

Monitors behavioral plans developed for individual clients and coordinates activities with Rehabilitation Nurses, Addictions Counselors, and Case Managers;

Participates in the implementation of group living programs for residents of the dormitory, community living skills program, and the rehabilitation nursing unit;

Supervises the evacuation of residents in emergency situations;

Refers residents to the Medical Department for treatment or medications, as required;

Communicates with other staff regarding clients’ functional abilities, progress, socialization, and other relevant issues;

Instructs in and monitors basic housekeeping skills so that clients can maintain their assigned living areas;

Instructs clients in maintaining personal hygiene and appearance;

Teaches clients the Center’s rules and regulations and enforces the rules and regulations as required;

Records information in client records as required by program guidelines and regulations;

Prepares requisitions for repairs and replacement of furniture, living environment and equipment and for specialized housekeeping services in order to maintain the dormitory in optimal condition;

Carries out emergency and routine procedures for the protection and safety of clients, staff, and the public;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the theories and principles of behavior and personality development and the dynamics of interpersonal relations, including family dynamics and patterns of adjustive behavior;

Knowledge of the roles and functions of human services professionals, programs, and institutions;

Knowledge of federal and State laws and regulations governing the care and treatment of persons with disabilities, including basic rights and confidentiality;

Knowledge of basic and alternative communication skills and interaction techniques;

Ability to assign, review, approve the work of and train lower level Rehabilitation Center Residential Advisors;

Ability to conduct selected activities specified in individual treatment plans and to identify stressors that may interfere;

Ability to teach problem-solving and decision-making skills to assist in developing effective coping mechanisms;

Ability to implement appropriate behavioral consequences and to physically intervene in a behavioral crisis;

Ability to implement infection control precautions;

Ability to communicate effectively with clients and other staff;

Ability to effectively apply the rules and regulations of the Maryland Rehabilitation Center;

Ability to instruct clients in personal care services based on standards of care;

Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative;

Ability to work as part of a rehabilitation team;

Ability to maintain accurate records and comply with established record keeping standards;

Ability to lift and evacuate non-ambulatory individuals;

Ability to perform CPR and to use a fire extinguisher.

Education:    An Associate of Arts degree or 60 credit hours with at least six credit hours in education, psychology or counseling from an accredited college or university. 

Experience: Two years of experience overseeing a client residence area and providing crisis counseling and supportive teaching to individuals with disabling conditions who reside in dormitories, community living skills programs or rehabilitation nursing units.

Note: Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree with 30 credit hours in a human services related field from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile.  Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland, and their driving records will be subject to investigation.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to successfully complete training to obtain and maintain current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.

1. Candidates for this classification may be given a medical examination to demonstrate the ability to perform the work required prior to appointment to the position.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to provide the agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

3. Applicants for this classification must submit proof of eligibility to work in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

4. Applicants for this classification are subject to a criminal background investigation in accordance with the federal Family Law Article, Section 5.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit D- Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.