State of Maryland

A Developmental Disabilities Shift Coordinator is one of two supervisory levels of work providing residential services for developmentally disabled clients.  Employees in this classification are responsible for supervising overall operations of several cottages or living units primarily on the evening or night shift.  Employees in this classification supervise Developmental Disabilities Associates and Direct Care Assistants.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a designated healthcare administrator.  Employees usually work during the evening or night shift but are subject to call-in and overtime during any shift and on weekends and holidays.  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 Shift Coordinator is differentiated from the Developmental Disabilities Associate in that the Developmental Disabilities Shift Coordinator has supervisory responsibility for Development Disabilities Associates and Direct Care Assistants in several cottages or living units on the evening or night shift while the Development Disabilities Associate performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Developmental Disabilities Shift Coordinator is differentiated from the Developmental Disabilities Associate Supervisor in that 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 Shift Coordinator is differentiated from the Developmental Disabilities Associate Assistant Manager in that the Developmental Disabilities Associate Assistant Manager has supervisory responsibility for Developmental Disabilities Associate Supervisors and may have supervisory responsibility for Developmental Disabilities Shift Coordinators.

Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the work of Developmental Disabilities Associates and Direct Care Assistants;

Trains Development Disabilities Associates and Direct Care Assistants;

Conducts on-site inspections of living units or cottages to determine proper staffing, ensure that prescribed treatments are being carried out, and that facilities and supplies are maintained;

Answers calls from living units or cottages about emergencies, reports incidents to appropriate facility personnel, clients’ family members, public service agencies and may reassign staff on duty to accommodate increased staffing needs;

Ensures that staff coverage is sufficient by reviewing clients’ charts;

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

Prepares reports on emergency situations and other problems experienced in living units and cottages to inform facility management of the procedures followed and actions taken by staff;

Monitors client activities to ensure that they are consistent with prescribed treatment plans and are in the client’s best interest;

Consults with medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals to resolve problems with clients’ treatment plans and may recommend modifications;

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 concerning the care and treatment of the developmentally disabled;

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

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

Skill in assessing the limitations and capabilities of developmentally disabled clients;

Ability to plan, review and evaluate the work of others;

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

Ability to plan and schedule the 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.

Education:   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.

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

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of an Associate of Arts 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 education and two years of experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of 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 to include a supervised clinical practicum in a developmental disability or similar behavior modification setting for the required education and experience.

3. Candidates may substitute additional experience providing rehabilitation services in a developmental disability setting at the rate of one year of experience for 30 credit hours of the required education.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience a 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, MD  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.

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 not assigned to a bargaining unit as indicated by the designation of S (supervisor), M (manager), T (agency head), U (Board or Commission member), W (student), X (Used by agency or excluded by executive order), or Z (confidential).  As provided by 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 therefore, 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.