Staff Services Officer IV

Job Description:
Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interest you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Staff Development and Retention Specialist (SDRS) reports to the State Hospital Superintendent and performs highly complex work designed to enhance staff competency, job satisfaction and an inclusive and positive workplace culture to improve retention and succession planning. This person should be outgoing and optimistic, participating in job fairs/hiring events and community activities as a hospital ambassador. Assists with job interviews when needed. Coordinates and collaborates with local supervisors, Competency and Training Development (CTD) staff and State Hospitals Central Administration leadership to design and implement a robust onboarding and competency development process for all newly hired staff at the State Hospitals as a supplement to the standardized new employee orientation (NEO) process, with a focus on Psychiatric Nursing Assistants (PNAs). Ensures the employee onboarding process is welcoming, thorough, consistent and incorporates the State Hospital and HHSC mission and vision. Ensures all newly hired staff are familiar with the complete operation of the hospital, layout of the physical location, and are provided an introduction of key leadership within the hospital. Develops professional working relationships with newly hired staff in order to foster their sense of belonging and connectedness. Conducts and/or oversees a competency-based on-the-job training (OJT) program for staff, with an emphasis on PNAs. Coordinates and collaborates with designated staff members to conduct surveys related to employee satisfaction of new hire training, OJT, supervisor engagement, and other aspects of the facility onboarding process. Evaluates the effectiveness of learning and PNA competency by testing/demonstrating skills and/or knowledge of PNAs, answering questions, addressing concerns about the job, and inviting feedback on the learning methods used during OJT to improve the program’s effectiveness. Compiles and completes required documentation to establish progress reports for current PNAs in OJT and within first twelve months of employment. Works with State Hospital leadership to improve overall satisfaction and retention of all staff. Provides recommendations to State Hospital leadership based upon survey results and interactions with staff. Builds employee networks and engagement committees. Serves on assigned committees and attends management team meetings. Work hours are normally day or evening shifts with variable responsibility for night shift activities, depending upon the training and coaching needs of staff. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Serves as state hospital ambassador to recruit staff and promote the hospital by participating in job fairs/hiring events and community activities. Takes initiative to find new ways to enhance job pools for all types of staff positions. Assists hiring managers with interviews when needed. Serves on staff recognition and retention committees at the local and state level.

Establishes, maintains and coordinates a robust teambuilding program as part of the new employee onboarding process. Connects employees with a job coach, mentor and/or other tenured staff person to build positive workplace relationships and sense of belonging. Emphasizes and models the agency mission and vision. Surveys, and oversees others to survey, newly hired staff at 30-, 60-, 90- and days to check in on their experiences using a semi-structured interview tool. Records and reports this information to the hospital Superintendent with recommendation on how to make improvements based upon the feedback received and to recognize best practices. Takes initiative to solve identified problems.

Designs, coordinates, oversees and/or provides OJT for new staff to build job competency. Collaborates with subject matter experts and Competency, Training and Development (CTD) staff in the development, delivery, and evaluation of all OJT programs. Shares information, identifies concerns and trends, and recommends improvements to enhance OJT specific content development and delivery. Coordinates the OJT training schedule in collaboration with CTD and the employee’s direct supervisor.

Facilitates the delivery of approved and required OJT modules and curriculum, manages learning activities, and provides consistent and thorough instruction for PNAs. Coordinates with unit supervisors for the delivery of targeted skill development and mentoring of newly hired PNAs. Documents progress and performance of OJT based on standardized evaluation guidelines. Provides, or ensures others provide, guided practice of all OJT modules through demonstration, coaching, checklists, step-by- step instructions, and regular feedback to ensure PNAs are practicing the targeted skill correctly before applying in real work situations. Assesses what remedial training may be needed by a PNA and coordinates with unit supervisors to develop an action plan for completion. Provides timely written communication with CTD and State Hospital leadership if a problem arises and the SDRS believes the PNA cannot be properly trained, evaluated, or perform the duties of a PNA.

Collaborates with supervisory staff and leadership on the progress of newly hired PNAs for the first twelve months of employment. Maintains a formalized record keeping methodology for new hire records and documentation in accordance with the agency’s records retention schedule and provides accurate documentation to CTD for PNAs to receive course credit for OJT in the agency’s training tracking system.

Provides routine feedback to newly hired staff to enhance their professional growth in a positive regard and rectifying any performance deficiencies in a timely manner. Utilizes and models positive reinforcement to change behavior while teaching or coaching staff to help build positive relationships. Praises good performance and improvements during learning, encourages, recognizes effort, supports supervisory staff to enhance recognition of skill development, and encourages peers to reinforce one another’s skills.

Attends any new course for PNAs developed by CTD within 60 days of implementation. Observes new hire classroom training annually as provided by CTD to assess any correlation of material in classroom modules with the transfer of learning during OJT and identifies any needed changes to OJT modules and curriculum to enhance the effectiveness of the overall training program. Works with CTD to enhance classroom training to ensure content aligns with operational practices.

Works with State Hospital leadership to provide ongoing OJT in unit shift change, department meetings, and facility wide meetings as warranted. Serves on any workgroups and committees as designated by the hospital Superintendent.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of all staff at the State Hospital, with advanced knowledge of the essential job duties of the Psychiatric Nursing Assistant (PNAs).
Knowledge of training procedures/techniques effective with adult learners, or ability to quickly gain this knowledge.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written) with people with diverse backgrounds at all levels of the organization.
Skill in training and coaching others to perform job duties.
Skill in communicating rules to others.
Skill in defusing potentially difficult situations.
Skill in monitoring and assessing situations and determining appropriate response.
Skill in continuous process improvement.

Ability to assist in evaluating, developing, and revising on-the- job and classroom training programs.
Ability to operate basic office equipment and audio/visual equipment and to use Windows based programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
Ability to work both within a team environment and independently.
Ability to demonstrate good judgment and serve as a model for others in demonstrating the mission and values of HHSC.
Ability to convey a welcoming and inclusive work environment and to spread good cheer.
Ability to teach and demonstrate skills related to assigned courses.
Ability to display a diplomatic demeanor and to effectively resolve conflict.
Ability to gather, organize and analyze data and enter information into databases.
Ability to express ideas verbally in a clear and orderly fashion.
Ability to establish and maintain rapport with co-workers and individuals served.
Ability to maintain flexibility in work schedule.
Ability to drive a state vehicle.

---