Mental Health Activity Aide - Part Time (New Lothrop or Saginaw)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under direct supervision of Mental Health Supervisor (Skill Building), assists consumers with developmental disabilities to develop skills and reach the goals identified in their person-centered plan. Provides physical assistance with personal care as needed. Is responsible for ensuring that services are provided in a safe and welcoming matter using a culture of gentleness. This position will be knowledgeable about and actively support culturally competent recovery-based practices; person centered planning as a shared decision-making process with the individual, who defines his/her life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals; and a trauma informed culture of safety to aid consumer in the recovery process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

1. Accompanies and supervises consumers in building based and community inclusion activities as assigned.

2. Assists with feeding consumers meals or snacks and cleaning up. Assists consumers in meeting their daily needs. Physically assist consumers when necessary. Teaches them healthy habits, assists them in toileting and changes soiled clothing when necessary. Attends other meetings as required.

3. Participates in staff meeting in developing plans and projects for individual consumers and discussing any issues to consumer’s progress. Follows consumer treatment plans.

4. Assists consumers to develop skills and reach the goals identified in their person-centered plan.

5. Implements the curriculum for the assigned classroom and develops a monthly calendar for the assigned classroom.

6. Plan and implement meaningful activities that promote skill development in the building and out into the community through the person-centered process, this includes creating and organizing community engagement activities.

7. Teaches, guides, and oversees consumers in individual or group activities. Monitors individual performance and behavior.

8. Is responsible for the supervision of assigned consumers at all times.

9. Confers with other staff/agency representatives to provide feedback on consumer progress, participation, and daily health and safety needs.

10. Collects and reports data on attendance, behavior, skill development, services provided and unusual incidents; writes notes/reports based on observations; confers with professional and supervisory staff on consumer progress and makes recommendations for additional services or revised interventions as needed.

11. Ensures consumers rights are respected and treats them in a way that enhances self-esteem and instills confidence in living skills and engaging with their community.

12. Dispenses prescribed medications in keeping with clearly defined instructions and prescription physician orders.

13. Responsible for coordinating medications at program. This includes administering medications, sending out communication to homes about medications, and preparing medications for outings.

14. Reviewing documentation to ensure the progress notes are supporting the consumer’s goals within the IPOS.

15. Assists with training the new staff starting at day program.

16. Offers consumer choice and activities and interacts in a respectful and welcoming manner.

17. Reacts productively to change and handles other essential tasks as assigned.

18. May drive vans for community inclusion sites and community outings. Assists consumers on and off the van as directed.

19. Engaging with parents/guardians/Adult Foster Care (AFC) Homes when a consumer is ill or needs to be picked up.

20. Adheres to core values and operating principles of Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority (SCCMHA) at all times.

INCIDENTAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

1. Attends meetings, in-service training, or workshops to sustain competency in duties.

2. Reacts productively to change and handles other essential duties as assigned.

3. May assist in transport of consumers to assigned designations when required to ensure health and safety.

4. May attend Individual Plan of Service (IPOS) meetings when management is not available.

5. May assist with the huddles at the end at the end of each or the staff meeting.

(The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of personnel so classified.)

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Mental Health Supervisor (Skill Building)

Supervises: None

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT:

Works in a classroom setting as well as on community inclusion sites with adults with developmental disabilities. Provides personal care to consumers as needed (such as with toileting accidents. Will have exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High School diploma or equivalent.

Experience: None required. Prefer experience working in mental health setting, nursing home, or related area.

Licenses and Certifications: Must have a valid Michigan Chauffeur’s license and maintain an excellent driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Understands the concept of person-centered planning and supports consumer choice.

2. Knowledge of traffic laws and ability to pass chauffer drivers’ test.

3. Ability to serve the public in a pleasant, courteous manner, to communicate with individuals effectively and deal with irate individuals.

4. Ability to use tact and diplomacy and understand individuals from all social, economic, intellectual, and cultural backgrounds.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

1.. Hearing acuity to converse in person and on telephone.

2. Visual acuity to observe consumers and read reports.

3. Manual dexterity to write and handle equipment.

4. Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, push wheelchairs, and lift shear weight up to 100 pounds.

5. Mental capacity to follow instructions, use judgment, manage, and schedule time and make sound decisions.

6. Strong interpersonal skills to interact with leadership, employees, consumers, and the general public.

7. Physically able to transfer consumers in and out of a wheelchair.

(Listed qualifications are for guidance in filling this position. Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered; however, mandatory licensing or certification requirements cannot be waived. Physical/mental requirements cannot be waived unless specifically indicated.)

EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION

Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer

A person with a disability or handicap requiring accommodation for completing the application process should notify the Human Resource Office at (989) 797-3472 as soon as possible.

Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority (SCCMHA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of SCCMHA to afford equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, marital or familial status, height, weight, disability, genetics or handicap. Michigan law requires that a person with a disability or handicap requiring accommodation for employment must notify the employer in writing within 182 days after the need is known.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 states that employers must require all persons hired to submit documents to the employer showing their identity and their right to be lawfully employed in the United States. It also requires that the employee complete and sign a government form to this effect.

If you are offered a position by SCCMHA, you will need to furnish documents for inspection that verify your identity and indicate that you are legally permitted to work in the United States. Documents that are acceptable include your driver’s license, or state issued I.D., and your Social Security card or birth certificate.

These documents must be provided within three (3) working days of employment. If the original documents are not available, you must submit proof that you have applied for the required documents.

I certify that the facts set forth in my Application of Employment, in my resume and in the other materials I have submitted are true and complete. I understand that any false, misleading or incomplete information may result in disqualification from employment with SCCMHA or in dismissal from employment if an offer of employment has been made and accepted.

I hereby authorize SCCMHA to contact all my former and current employers, educational institutions, relevant Office of Recipient Rights, and the other references I have provided regarding me and my performance record and work, academic and/or military experience.

I hereby authorize my current and former employers, and the Office of Recipient Rights, to disclose to SCCMHA all requested information, including but not limited to, any information concerning any unprofessional conduct by me, and to make available to SCCMHA copies of all documents maintained in my personnel or other records, including but not limited to, documents relating to any unprofessional conduct by me.

I also hereby release SCCMHA and its employees and agents, and all of my former and current employers, educational institutions, Office of Recipient Rights, and the other references I have provided, from any and all liability and damages for releasing in good faith, or using, information concerning me and my performance record and work, academics and/or military experience. I also hereby waive any right under the Bullard-Plawecki Right to Know Act, 1978 PA 397, to receive written notice from SCCMHA and my former or current employer, or the Office of Recipient Rights, that disciplinary reports, letters of reprimand, or other disciplinary action taken against me while employed, will be or have been disclosed to a third person or entity.

I also understand that SCCMHA may conduct or have conducted by an individual or entity of its choice, a Driver’s License Report and a criminal background history through the State of Michigan; a Health Professions License check (if applicable) through the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, and a Excluded Parties List System check (if applicable) through the Federal government search on me. I hereby consent to this search being conducted and to the disclosure of the results of that search by the individual or entity conducting the search to SCCMHA. I further hereby release the individual or entity conducting the search, SCCMHA, and its employees and agents, from any liability, claims and damages, including but not limited to, claims for releasing or using any information revealed as a result of this search. I also understand and acknowledge that criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment with SCCMHA or in dismissal from employment if any offer of employment has been made and accepted.

I hereby consent to having a physical examination and/or test(s) conducted by a physician or other professional of SCCMHA’s choice, and understand that any offer of employment is conditioned upon the results of this examination (s) and/or test (s). I further agree to submit to a pre-employment drug screen, and I understand that the present use of illegal drugs and/or substances will disqualify me from employment with SCCMHA.