State of Maryland

A Resident Associate Lead SETT is the lead level of work providing care, custody, treatment and guidance for court-ordered residents with developmental disabilities in the Secure Evaluation and Therapeutic Treatment Unit (SETT) within the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). Employees in this classification are responsible for interacting with and controlling these individuals during everyday life activities by monitoring behaviors and advising them of appropriate alternatives. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but do assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Resident Associates SETT and may provide advice and guidance to other lower-level health care workers.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Resident Associate Supervisor SETT or other designated health care administrator. Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends. Employees may be subject to call-in and overtime based on staffing needs. Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease. Employees may be required to physically restrain individuals displaying violent and aggressive behavior and lift and move individuals and 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 Resident Associate Lead SETT is differentiated from the Resident Associate II SETT in that the Resident Associate Lead SETT assigns reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Resident Associates SETT while the Resident Associate II SETT performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. The Resident Associate Lead SETT is differentiated from the Resident Associate Supervisor SETT in that the Resident Associate Supervisor SETT has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Resident Associate SETT positions.

Assigns, reviews, and approves the work of lower-level Resident Associates SETT;

Provides care, custody, and guidance for court-ordered individuals with developmental disabilities in SETT who may also have co-occurring behavioral health diagnoses;

Escorts individuals with developmental disabilities to and from daily activities at the facility and monitors their conduct during interactions with others;

Assesses individuals’ skills and abilities to determine appropriate behavior modification techniques and establish goals in coordination with a team of clinical professionals assigned to the facility;

Participates in activities with individuals aimed at developing their intellectual and emotional capabilities;

Observes individual and group behaviors and determines when intervention or guidance is needed;

Intervenes in situations involving agitated or overwrought individuals to prevent fights and to de-escalate potentially harmful behaviors, suggests alternative ways of reacting to problems, and may be required to determine when restraining individuals is necessary to secure the health and safety of residents and staff;

Assesses emergency and crisis situations, makes appropriate contacts and referrals, and provides interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available;

Promotes a unit environment conducive to learning helpful alternative behaviors by encouraging communication among individuals and staff, guiding and critiquing group discussions, and offering advice at appropriate junctures;

Records observation of behaviors, prepares progress and incident reports on assigned individuals for review by supervisors;

Inspects residential areas for safety, security and cleanliness;

Accompanies individuals to appointments off grounds, such as medical appointments and court proceedings and monitors and controls behaviors during these outings;

Attends training on topics, such as aggressive behavior, self harm and/or injury, and intellectual and developmental disabilities;

Monitors the activities of lower-level health care workers to ensure that activities are performed consistently with prescribed treatment plans and are in the patients’ best interest;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of developmental disabilities and the limitations, capabilities and rights of clients with developmental disabilities;

Knowledge of the federal and State procedures and guidelines on the care and treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities;

Knowledge of the methods and disciplines used to treat individuals with developmental disabilities;

Knowledge of the symptoms associated with medications administered to individuals with developmental disabilities;

Skill in observing, motivating, directing, and controlling the behavior of individuals with developmental disabilities to assist in the achievement of treatment goals;

Skill in interacting with agitated or overwrought individuals with developmental disabilities in a calm manner to de-escalate combative behavior;

Skill in participating in mental and physical activities aimed at developing social and emotional capabilities of individuals with developmental disabilities in a therapeutic setting;

Skill in assessing and addressing potentially harmful or destructive behavior by individuals with developmental disabilities and offering alternative responses;

Ability to work as an effective member of a team of health care providers;

Ability to plan and schedule the various activities associated with an individual treatment plan;

Ability to carry out emergency and routine procedures for the protection and safety of individuals, staff and the public.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience in work assisting in the care, custody and guidance of court-ordered individuals with developmental disabilities in treatment facilities or community based programs.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience assisting in the care, treatment habilitation or rehabilitation of individuals who are aged, physically ill, or have behavioral health diagnoses or developmental disabilities in treatment facilities or community based programs on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute education from an accredited college or university with coursework specializing in health or human services, behavioral sciences, or criminal justice at a rate of 30 credit hours for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Hospital Corpsman classifications or Health Care Specialist and Medical Services specialty codes in the health related field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete training and maintain current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the  operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

3. Employees in some positions may be required to operate vans which require a specific motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in 24 hours a day, and, therefore, will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

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 Non-Professional 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 State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.