This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
- Work Therapy Specialist II
- What will I be doing?
- Do I qualify?
- Can I be successful?
- Benefits
- How do I apply?
This is responsible professional work in the planning and implementation of a therapeutic work program in a state mental health or rehabilitation facility.
An employee in this class participates in the selection of residents for assignment to various facility vocational areas such as food service, housekeeping, supply, etc. The employee analyzes jobs to determine suitability for resident placement, arranges appropriate work schedules and instructs facility staff in the proper methods of training and working with residents. The employee also visits work sites and living units to observe and evaluate residents' adjustment to the work situation. Work may include supervision of work adjustment assistant staff. Supervision is received from a professional staff member in the department supervising this activity; however, the employee is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment in the performance of duties.
Surveys facility departments to determine areas in which residents may be placed as part of a therapeutic program; analyzes jobs in terms of physical, mental, rehabilitative, and psychological demands on the resident; discusses and evaluates these analyses with medical, vocational, occupational therapy, and other professional staff; maintains an inventory of jobs appropriate for various types of residents.
Attends staff meetings with professional personnel to obtain information concerning treatment goals for individual residents; suggests possible therapeutic job assignments for such residents and develops written individualized work adjustment plans.
Develops, monitors and supervises in-house simulated job stations with staff approval; assumes responsibility for resident placement and orientation in specific jobs.
Interviews residents referred to the work program with regard to interests and potential work assignments; reviews case data for information on abilities, skills, aptitudes, and limitations of residents; confers with facility staff to determine residents' behavior in the living unit; introduces resident to the work site and to the supervising employee.
Instructs work site supervisors with regard to nature of disability or illness, particularly as it relates to proper therapeutic methods of working with residents; advises such supervisors on general program orientation and training to be applied to each resident; arranges resident work schedules.
Makes periodic visits to work sites to observe resident progress and the quality of supervision received by the residents; discusses problems with work site supervisors and suggests solutions; brings important problems to attention of medical and professional staff for their assistance, advice, or action.
Participates in staff conferences in which resident progress reports are given and individual cases discussed; on the basis of resident progress, recommends transfer to other living units, therapy situations, or vocational training.
Provides individual and group training regarding pre-employment skills.
Maintains records of all placements, transfers, and resident progress; keeps work attendance records in order to insure proper monitoring of residents when not in living units.
Provides direct supervision of work adjustment assistant staff and direct supervision of clients in the structured work area, the facility or the community.
Performs other related work as assigned.
(The following minimum qualifications will determine merit system eligibility and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers.)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in the social or behavioral sciences, counseling, education, public or business administration, personnel management or other closely related fields.
OR
Four or more years of experience in job placement, employment interviewing, job analysis, vocational counseling or other closely related areas.
OR
Four or more years of experience in supervising the work or work related activities of persons with physical disabilities, mental illness, and/or developmental disabilities in a sheltered workshop, pre-sheltered workshop, rehabilitation center or activity center, of which at least two years must have been at the level of Activity Aide III, or Workshop Supervisor II.
OR
Two or more years as a Work Therapy Program Specialist I under the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.
Please note that documentation that supports your eligibility (i.e. transcripts, employment records, etc.) may be required at any time during the application and hiring process. If you do not possess the minimum qualifications, please consider one of many other employment opportunities with the State of Missouri.
Do you possess the key skills which are considered essential for successful employment in this classification?
Considerable knowledge of the principles of interviewing and job placement.
Considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision and training of personnel.
Working knowledge of the principles of job analysis and work simplification as it applies to the placement of residents in work situations.
Working knowledge of the nature of physical disabilities, mental illness, and/or developmental disabilities.
Some knowledge of the organization and operation of a residential treatment or rehabilitation facility.
Ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of residents.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate a therapeutic work program with other treatment programs.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with facility staff and to develop appropriate therapeutic attitudes among facility employees at the work sites.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to maintain case records and make reports regarding resident progress.
Ability to plan and supervise the work of small numbers of employees and/or clients engaged in a structured work environment.
The following link will provide you with general information about State of Missouri employee benefits.
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