State of Maryland

A Rehabilitation Center Houseparent I is the entry level of work overseeing an assigned dormitory area in the Maryland Rehabilitation Center.  Employees in this classification oversee dormitory residents including clients who are physically handicapped, mentally ill, and developmentally handicapped.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor I or other designated personnel.  Employees may be assigned to day, evening or rotating shifts to include holidays and weekends, overtime and on‑call duty.  Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.  Employees may be required to restrain clients displaying violent or aggressive behavior.  The work may require long periods of standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, and reaching.  The work may require the lifting and positioning of non‑ambulatory clients and the lifting of wheelchairs and other heavy equipment.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by 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 Rehabilitation Center Houseparent I and Rehabilitation Center Houseparent II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Rehabilitation Center Houseparent I learns to perform duties under close supervision while the Rehabilitation Center Houseparent II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Participates in training programs designed to develop the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes necessary for enhancing the rehabilitative treatment of dormitory residents at the Maryland Rehabilitation Center;

Learns how to maintain the rules and regulations of the Maryland Rehabilitation Center dormitory in order to ensure an environment that is conducive for the clients' rehabilitation;

Learns the procedures for inspecting the dormitory area daily in order to ensure that health, safety, and sanitation standards are observed;

Monitors security of dormitory during residents' weekend visits by collecting keys at clients' departure and issuing keys upon clients' return;

Learns how to survey clients' activities in order to ensure that there is no traffic in drugs or alcohol;

Learns the procedure for preparing requisitions for repairs, replacement of furniture and equipment, and specialized housekeeping in order to maintain the dormitory area in the optimal condition;

Learns how to carry out the Maryland Rehabilitation Center's safety procedures for emergency evacuation and containment of communicable diseases;

Learns how to become an effective team member at clients' conferences on issues such as persistent behavioral problems or lack of progress in training;

Learns techniques of counseling clients regarding personal relationships with other residents and staff, living habits and appropriate behavior in a residential setting;

Learns when to recommend restrictions for clients who exhibit unacceptable behavior or continuous room infractions;

Learns procedures for making reports of incidences or changes in clients' behavior to the counseling department;

Learns procedures for preparing required reports at the end of each daily shift;

Learns how to maintain proper inventories of supplies;

Conducts periodic meetings with residents in order to discuss items such as fire evacuation procedures and other dormitory related issues;

Learns the techniques for promoting clients' participation in their rehabilitation;

Conducts tour of dormitory for potential residents and provides orientation of the Center's rules and regulations to new admissions; Implements changes in procedures and routine as approved and directed;

Attends in service training programs in order to maintain a continual awareness of dormitory safety measures and the needs of the physically handicapped, mentally ill, and the developmentally handicapped population;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the health and safety precautions required in a dormitory setting; Knowledge of English usage in report preparation;

Ability to learn the symptoms and behavioral problems associated with physical or developmental handicaps or mental illness;

Ability to learn therapeutic techniques in client interaction;

Ability to learn the principles of appropriate dormitory living conditions;

Ability to learn first aid methods;

Ability to learn the principles of group dynamics;

Ability to learn how to apply the agency's policies to the daily work situation;

Ability to learn how to recognize volatile problems and exercise sound judgment in order to maintain order in the dormitory;

Ability to observe clients' behaviors;

Ability to learn the procedures in maintaining records and preparing written reports;

Ability to command respect from dormitory residents;

Ability to learn techniques to motivate clients to participate in therapeutic activities;

Ability to learn and carry out emergency and routine procedures for the protection and safety of clients, staff and the public;

 Ability to work harmoniously with others;

Ability to lift and position clients.

Education:   Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: None.

Note: Candidates may substitute experience overseeing a dormitory in a rehabilitation facility on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required education.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland, and their driving records will be subject to investigation.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to successfully complete training and maintain current certification in cardio pulmonary resuscitation.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification may be given a medical examination and may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform the work required of the position prior to appointment.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to provide the facility with a telephone number where they can be reached.

3. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 06.01.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

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 assigned to Bargaining Unit D- Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes.  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 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.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series. NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classifications series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.