State of Maryland

A Developmental Disabilities Associate is the full performance level of work at Maryland Department of Health (MDH) designated Court Involved (CI) Facilities providing residential services for developmentally disabled clients.  Employees in this classification are responsible for implementation of the prescribed treatments and services required to carry out the clients' individual treatment plans for a cottage or living unit in a residential facility.  Employees in this classification assign, review and approve the work of and train Direct Care Assistants.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Developmental Disabilities Associate Supervisor; or other designated healthcare 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 spread of disease.  Employees may be required to physically restrain clients displaying violent and aggressive behavior and lift and move patients and equipment.

Positions in this classification are evaluated 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 Developmental Disabilities Associate is differentiated from the Developmental Disabilities Associate Supervisor in that the Developmental Disabilities Associate assigns, reviews and approves the work and trains Direct Care Assistants while the Developmental Disabilities Associate Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for Developmental Disabilities Associates and Direct Care Assistants and is responsible for the overall cottage operations on a twenty-four hour basis.  The Developmental Disabilities Associate is differentiated from the Developmental Disabilities Shift Coordinator in that the Developmental Disabilities Shift Coordinator has supervisory responsibility for Developmental Disabilities Associates and Direct Care Assistants and oversees the operations of cottages or living units on the evening or night shift.

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of Direct Care Assistants;

Trains Direct Care Assistants;

Assesses developmentally disabled clients' skills and abilities to determine appropriate training techniques and establish goals;

Assists an interdisciplinary team to devise plans for developing clients’ physical, intellectual and emotional capabilities;

Prepares reports on the progress of clients concerning the accomplishment of tasks and the effectiveness of the individual treatment plan;

Monitors the activities of Direct Care Assistants to ensure that activities are performed consistently with prescribed treatment plans and are in the clients’ best interest;

Assists clients in performing specific tasks and provides direct care as needed;

Consults with medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals on the proper methods to administer clients’ treatment plans;

Ensures that all cottage support services are provided in an efficient and hygienic manner;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of developmental disabilities and the limitations and capabilities of developmentally disabled clients;

Knowledge of the methods and disciplines used to treat developmentally disabled clients;

Knowledge of the medications administered to developmentally disabled clients;

Knowledge of the symptoms associated with developmental disabilities;

Knowledge of the rights of developmentally disabled clients;

Knowledge of the federal and State procedures and guidelines on the care and treatment of the developmentally disabled;

Skill in motivating, directing and controlling the behavior of developmentally disabled clients;

Skill in observing the behavior of developmentally disabled clients to recognize symptoms or the achievement of treatment goals;

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

Ability to assess the limitations and capabilities of developmentally disabled clients;

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 clients, staff and the public;

Ability to lift and position clients.

Experience: Three years of experience providing direct client services in a developmental disability or similar behavior modification setting.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the completion of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university with 15 credit hours in health or human services, education or the behavioral sciences and one year of experience providing direct client services in a developmental disability or similar behavior modification setting for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of an Associate of Arts or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in the treatment of developmental disabilities in a mental health or closely related curriculum including a supervised clinical practicum in a developmental disability or similar behavior modification setting for 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. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current certificate as a Nursing Assistant from the Maryland State Board of Nursing, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215. Persons appointed to a position in this classification without certification as a Nursing Assistant must successfully complete a Board of Nursing approved nursing assistant training program and receive certification as a Nursing Assistant within six months from date of hire prior to performing delegated nursing tasks. Appointees who fail to successfully complete this requirement will not be retained in these positions.

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

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.

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 the 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