HUMAN Services Worker I - 60005625

Human Services Worker I - 60005625

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida's social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency's mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Florida State Hospital (FSH) is a mental health treatment facility owned and operated by the State of Florida and is part of the Department of Children and Families. The department's mission is to "work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency." FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

WORKING HOURS: 7:00am – 3:30 pm

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

This position primarily performs technical health support duties in the collection and processing of blood specimens. These include but are not limited to the following: drawing blood from persons served for Laboratory testing; using proper techniques, proper tubes and assures proper post-phlebotomy care. The Health Support Technician is required to work with minimal supervision and follows Laboratory Department, FSH, and DCF policies and procedures at all times. In addition, assists in clerical duties in the Laboratory. Performs phlebotomy procedures by:

• Verifying the individual's identification.
• Always using proper personal protective equipment.
• Properly preparing venipuncture site.
• Selecting appropriate tubes for the tests ordered, consulting reference manual when necessary.
• Performing post-phlebotomy care.
• Maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor at all times.
• Obtaining help form other staff members when needed.

Manages reference laboratory services by:

• Processes and packages specimens for delivery to reference laboratories to ensure optimal specimen integrity is maintained.
• Tracks inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Advises Health Service worker when supplies are needed from reference laboratories and vendors as needed.

Performs laboratory-related clerical duties including, but not limited to:

• Maintaining logs and other documents as required by supervisor.
• Cleaning and disinfecting work and laboratory counters and other surfaces daily and as required
• Answering phone.

The incumbent of this position is responsible for providing residential care, assisting with enrichment activities and supporting the treatment, psychiatric rehabilitation, stabilization and recovery of people with a mental illness. The incumbent is expected to treat people served in a respectful manner that preserves their dignity. The incumbent is responsible for developing and maintaining a professional caregiver relationship with people served and shall not exceed relationship boundaries by developing personal friendships, sharing personal information or exchanging personal items. The incumbent must work alternate work sites and schedules and must demonstrate physical skills to ensure optimal operation of this treatment facility. Nursing staff will provide guidance in the care and treatment of residents.

The incumbent is responsible for preserving the rights, safety and security of people served by:

• Observing them: At all times to learn what type of environment and interactions make them feel safe, secure and calm and to identify distressful stimuli or triggers. When providing ward coverage. When escorting to and from activities and appointments to ensure that they arrive safely. During meals to monitor intake and ensure that they don't choke or trade food. When a person served is placed on special observation status to address dangerous or high-risk behaviors. When a restrictive intervention such as seclusion or restraints is used to assess for release criteria and immediately identify health needs that may arise.
• Communicating with them: At all times to develop a trusting, caregiver relationship and identify signs of distress or health concerns When a person served is placed on special observation status, in the seclusion room or in restraints to assure the person that he or she is safe, help them develop trust in you as a caregiver and identify signs of distress or health concerns.
• Intervening: To separate them from distressful stimuli and assist in resolving conflict To ensure that people served are not neglected, abused or exploited; or to ensure that it is reported to the abuse hotline if they are To ensure safety during medical or disaster emergencies To ensure safety when a person served is exhibiting a behavior dangerous to self or others, which may involve the use of physical holds and placing people served in a seclusion room or mechanical restraints.

The incumbent is responsible for supporting the health and cleanliness of people served by Assisting with or Performing:

• Personal hygiene tasks such as showering, dressing, shampooing and grooming hair, brushing teeth, skin and nail care, shaving, toileting.
• Laundry duties such as sorting, laundering, folding, storing.
• Housekeeping tasks such as making bed, organizing bedroom and wardrobe, sweeping, mopping.
• Preparing meal area before meals and cleaning area after meals.
• Assessing vital signs and weight in a manner that preserves dignity.

The incumbent is responsible for assessing needs and service provision by:

• Completing Direct Care Assessments on people served.
• Assisting with meaningful life activities including, but not limited to, mail and phone correspondence.
• Encouraging people served to attend scheduled or alternative engagement activities.
• Supporting treatment and psychiatric rehabilitation services by assisting with homework, skills practice, reading, etc.
• Conducting Alternative Engagement Activities and providing services identified on a person's Service Implementation Plan (SIP) which may include treatment, psychiatric rehabilitative and enrichment services.
• Communicating with people served to support the achievement of SIP objectives.
• Serving as a personal advocate by communicating with other service team members and documenting information relative to the psychiatric rehabilitation, stabilization and recovery of people on assigned caseload.

The incumbent is responsible for documenting:

• Description of behavior when a person served is not experiencing distress, being escorted, eating meals, on special observation status, in the seclusion room and in restraints.
• Behavior and events related to the well-being and recovery of people served.
• Distressful stimuli and triggers and behaviors that may represent medication side effects.
• Location of people served when checking wards, transporting and during Freedom of Movement check-in/out times.
• Discovery of contraband.
• Personal property, personal hygiene practices, and vital sign and weight readings.
• Provision of services and information related to SIP objectives.
• Responses of people served when encouraged to attend activities.
• Direct Care Assessment results.
• Alternative Engagement Activity participation.
• Participate in training, education and quality improvement.
• Other duties as required and assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required for the Position

Carries out instructions as prescribed for patient rehabilitation activities. Assists treatment personnel in carrying out prescribed treatment plans as a member of the rehabilitative therapy team. Participates in group therapy sessions with professional staff and observes patients for changes in behavior. Assists patients in their personal care and hygiene. Takes temperature, pulse, and blood pressure as directed; observes patients and reports changes in their conditions. Escorts patients to medical, psychotherapy, dental, and other appointments and accompanies forensic patients on transfers. Bathes and feeds patients and assists them in daily hygiene activities. Administers routine medication, bandages, and prescribed treatment under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Physician. Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be 18 years of age at time of hire Ability to attend a 1 to 2 week mandatory training course that will include completion of a CPR certification. This training could be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours. Preference will be given to applicants who have: Certification in Phlebotomy.

Physical agility requirements for Direct Care Staff:

• Must be able to ambulate up and down a stairwell.
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