Description - External

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities and hospital services.

The main office for DBHDD is located in downtown Atlanta.

Job Description

Job Title:  Client Support Worker (2^nd Shift) – Community Integration Home (CIH)

Pay Grade:  C ~ Full-Time (Up to 40 hours weekly) (3:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Second Shift (Weekends))

NOTE:

This is a full time benefit eligible position to include paid holidays, matching 401k and pension contributions, and eligibility to participate in DBHDD’s Employee Benefit programs.  Employees are expected to work rotating weekends and rotating holidays.

Job Summary:

West Central Georgia Regional Hospital, Columbus, GA is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Client Support Worker for Community Group Home.

The candidate chosen for this position will perform the duties listed below at the Community Integration Home (CIH) in Columbus, Georgia.

Essential Responsibilities:

Job Description

• Under general supervision, assists with daily living activities at the Community Integration Home (CIH).
• Observes and monitors resident’s behavior and charts observations and incidents.
• Provides training of basic personal and social skills, simple academics, or work skills to residents of the CIH.
• Maintains a consistently high-quality level of care, serving as a role model for residents.
• May assist with meal preparation, ensuring or encouraging residential group activity, providing transportation, and/or limited case management.
   

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Arranges for needed medical care and provides needed services to assure that medical care is obtained.
• Assists with the development of an individual service/treatment plan for each assigned consumer/student.
• Counsels and advises residents on behavioral problems, daily decision-making, and the resolution of minor problems.
• Instructs and advises residents on daily living skills in one-on-one or group Instruction.
• Observes and monitors resident behavior.

·        May provide corrective feedback to clients on behavioral problems, daily decision-making, and the resolution of minor problems. 

• Participates in case of reviews, consulting with the team to evaluate the resident’s needs and plan for continuing services.
• Performs housekeeping duties, such as cleaning, washing clothes and dishes, and running errands.
• Plans, shops for, and prepares meals, including special diets, and assists families in planning, shopping for, and preparing nutritious meals.
• Prepares and maintains records of resident progress and services performed, reporting changes in resident condition to manager or supervisor.

·        Drives state owned vehicles to provide transportation for clients/residents to appointments and activities. 

• Provides transportation for residents to appointments and activities.
• Assists in presentation of educational group lectures related to appropriate topics.
• Other duties as assigned.

Entry Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED AND any combination of training and experience, which would have enabled the applicant to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities. Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.  

One year experience providing social or direct care services to groups of special needs individuals in a human service setting OR Associate degree in a related field OR One year experience at the lower level or position equivalent Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.

Basic computer Skills.

Ability to communicate and interact with mental health professionals in a team environment, Ability to monitor and provide day-to-day assistance to residents.

Ability to observer assess and record symptoms, reaction, and progress.

Ability for understanding and follow safety procedures.  

Documentation skills.  

Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with or knowledge of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities; experience working successfully without daily contact with a supervisor.

Previous experience working in a residential home or healthcare facilities.

Ability and willingness to attend residents' medical/psychiatric appointments and advocate for residents while on the appointments.

Understanding of basic first aid medical procedures.

Organizational skills and ability to coordinate the timely ordering/supervision of meds

Technical Competencies:   

Ability to observe and monitor participants' behavior 

Ability to assist and supervise participants with daily living activities 

Ability to provide training and/or orientation services to participants 

Ability to participate in supportive guidance, program planning meetings, consumer staffing and service training 

Ability to complete evaluations to determine functional level of participants 

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits

Employment Requirements
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia.

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:

·                  Drug Screening

·                  TB Evaluation

·                  Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.  

When applying for this position, you will be asked if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position as stated below and may possibly be presented with additional questions to assess preferred qualifications. Preference will be given to applicants who meet one or more of the preferred qualifications and have demonstrated relevant experience clearly indicated in their work history.