Program Assistant (Safety) Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established April 18, 2000

Scope

This series specification describes two nonmedical classes used by the Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, or at correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services, which assist a Program Director in a staff capacity with the administration of a treatment program for forensic clients, patients, or inmates who are developmentally or mentally disordered offenders.

Definition of Series

This series of classes assists a Program Director, in a staff capacity, with directing the activities of a multidisciplinary treatment staff in achieving program goals and individual forensic client, patient, or inmate objectives; and with the overall responsibility for directing a residential or day training for persons with developmental or mental disorders.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This series of classes is distinguished from the classes in the Program Assistant series by the custody requirements imposed by the criminal nature of the forensic client, patient, or inmate population and by the security features of correctional facilities, developmental centers, and State hospitals.

Job Description

Both Classes:

Incumbents participate in program planning, development, and implementation; plan, coordinate, audit, and evaluate forensic client, patient, or inmate care and treatment; develop appropriate staffing patterns; serve as a resource on equipment, techniques, and current practices; develop training and development plans for staff members; provide the community with training and techniques for the continuation of forensic client, patient, or inmate treatment and care; coordinate services within the developmental center or hospital and with other facilities and agencies; establish program priorities; develop and provide liaison with families, family physicians of forensic clients, patients, or inmates, and appropriate community agencies; interview and recommend selection and allocation of support and clinical staff, students, and volunteers; interpret programs and other developmental center or hospital functions to developmental center or hospital staff and the community; observe and intervene in instances of disruptive or assaultive behavior; and act for the Program Director (Developmental Disabilities Safety) or Program Director (Mental Disabilities Safety) in his or her absence.

Minimum Qualifications

Program Assistant (Developmental Disabilities Safety)

Either I

Two years of clinical nursing experience in the Department of Developmental Services performing the duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of a Unit Supervisor or Supervising Registered Nurse in a treatment program for persons with developmental disabilities.

Or II

Two years of clinical experience as a psychiatric social worker, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, individual program coordinator, or teacher in a treatment program for persons with developmental disabilities.

Program Assistant (Mental Disabilities Safety)

Either I

Two years of clinical nursing experience in the Department of Mental Health performing the duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of a Supervising Registered Nurse or Unit Supervisor in a treatment program for the mentally disabled.

Or II

Two years of clinical experience as a psychiatric social worker, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, or teacher in a treatment program for the mentally disabled.

Knowledge and Abilities

Both Classes:

Knowledge of: Principles and methods of health care, rehabilitation, education, and psychiatric treatment as related to the care and treatment of forensic clients, patients, or inmates; principles for maximizing the physical, cognitive, and social development of forensic clients, patients, or inmates; specific expertise related to program content; principles, procedures, and techniques of administering a multidisciplinary patient treatment program; principles and practices of personnel management and effective supervision; State and Federal laws and rules pertaining to developmental center or State hospital administration; principles and practices of community organization for developmentally or mentally disabled; developmental center/hospital organization, management, and procedures; research methods and techniques; principles and methods of training treatment personnel; a manager's role in equal employment opportunities.

Ability to: Assist with the planning and coordination of a program that provides care and treatment and maximizes the development of patients; direct research projects; analyze complex problems and take appropriate action; assist with the administration of a multidisciplinary patient treatment program; integrate the program with the overall functions of the developmental center/hospital; communicate effectively; work independently in identifying the need for and developing proposed changes in program practices and procedures.

Special Personal Characteristics

Both Classes:

Willingness to work at developmental centers, State hospitals, or correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services; demonstrated leadership ability; sympathetic and objective understanding of the problems of developmentally or mentally disordered offenders; tact; patience; and emotional stability.

Special Physical Characteristics

Both Classes:

Incumbents must possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic clients, patients, inmates, or the public.

Class History