Unit Director

Job Description:
Manager IV - Unit Director

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.

The state of Texas offers many benefits to employees. HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making qualifying monthly payments. We also offer excellent health benefits, a lifetime monthly retirement annuityas well as (k) and Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you

The Unit Director performs highly complex managerial work administering and overseeing the daily operations, programming and activities of a cluster of homes at the designated State Supported Living Center (SSLC). Each home provides the individuals residing there with a safe and homelike environment where they are provided individualized supports and services to reach their full potential. These include 24-hour residential services provided by direct service professionals (DSPs), comprehensive behavioral treatment services, health care services, and skills training. Manages and coordinates residential services in the assigned homes to ensure active treatment, health, safety and the pursuit of personal goals for the individuals residing in the unit. Manages all residential services/direct support staff assigned to the homes. Ensures services such as psychology/behavioral services, active treatment/vocational services, nursing, medical, and qualified intellectual disabilities services are well integrated to provide optimal supports to the individuals residing in the assigned homes. Ensures that the structure, staffing, and operations of all residential and program services conform with nationally accepted best practices for services for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, the terms of the settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and all other relevant state and federal laws, rules and regulations, in order to provide optimal care to the individuals served in the assigned home(s). Establishes goals and objectives which proactively address potential issues and provides solutions for the assigned homes are focused on continuous quality improvement. Confers with local SSLC leadership to develop strategic plans and long- and short-terms goals for the assigned homes. Develops, schedules, and prioritizes standards and processes for achieving established goals. Responds to crisis/emergency situations and takes immediate action to resolve the issue(s). Actively participates in and/or facilitates meetings to represent the assigned homes. Works under limited supervision of the Assistant Director of Programs (ADOP) or Director of Residential Services (DRS), with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. For SSLCs with a unit model, manages all programming and treatment functions of the home, including supervising staff members in varying disciplines, nursing, psychology/behavioral services, active treatment/vocational services and qualified intellectual disabilities services. Hires, develops, manages, schedules, sets priorities for, and oversees the activity of staff for assigned homes. Ensures the assigned homes have an adequate and well-trained work force. Performs related work as assigned. Serves in the capacity of Administrator on Duty in rotation and is on-call as needed.
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required 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. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
Confers with local SSLC leadership to develop strategic plans and long- and short-terms goals for the assigned homes. Establishes and implements objectives toward meeting goals and ensures the homes are focused on quality improvement and compliance with the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement. Uses data driven strategies to identify areas needing attention and takes action to improve operations.
Manages day-to-day activities, operations and delivery of programs and services provided for the assigned homes/units to ensure 24/7 programs and services. Develops and approves schedules to ensure adequate DSP staffing based upon levels of supervision of individuals. Provides guidance to the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and works collaboratively with other department leads such as in the areas of QIDP services, behavioral health/psychology, and active treatment/vocational services to ensure integrated programs and services in the home. Ensures proper management and supervision of staff and their assigned duties to ensure that residents are free from physical and emotional harm. Ensures ongoing and respectful interaction between the staff and the residents and between staff members. Maintains a physical presence on the home to ensure optimal quality of life for the individuals. Responds to crisis/emergency situations and takes immediate action to resolve the issue(s).
Provides leadership and plans, assigns and supervises the activities of supervisory staff for each assigned home, typically assistant unit directors and/or DSP IVs. For SSLCs with a unit model, reviews and coordinates the services provided by the behavioral health services staff, including positive behavior support plans, psychiatric support plans, counseling plans, skill acquisition plans, and crisis intervention plans. Collaborates with the Director of Behavior Health Services to systematically evaluate the consistent implementation of plans provided through personal observation, staff interviews, and review of documentation. For SSLCs with a unit model, reviews and coordinates the services provided by the Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) staff including the Individualized Support Plan (ISP) Preparation meeting, ISP Addendum meetings, and the Annual ISP. Collaborates with the QIDP Coordinator to systematically evaluate the consistent implementation of programs, services, and plans for the individuals through review of documentation and outcomes.
Coordinates, implements and evaluates operational policies and procedures. Ensures assigned staff are trained on policies, procedures and individual resident plans. Evaluates implementation, monitors for compliance, and takes action when policies, procedures and/or plans are not being following including conducting an analysis of reasons for any implementation challenges. Ensures proper procedures are followed in Abuse & Neglect investigations, and follow-up is completed in a timely manner for any administrative concerns identified in such investigations. Communicates problems to Director of Residential Services/ADOP to facilitate prompt and effective problem-resolution.
Provides technical assistance and guidance to supervisory staff in conflict resolution techniques and properly handling of all personnel issues. Hires, trains, and promotes professional growth of the employees within the department so that a competent workforce is maintained. Ensures that all assigned staff are compliant in training per agency and facility standards. Conducts performance evaluations of assigned staff to give employees timely feedback on their performance and oversees staff development plans and activities. Takes action to improve employee retention and reduce turnover.
Provides technical expertise, consultation, guidance, and support to staff on the assigned homes to build capacity for working with individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors. Uses creative and innovative techniques, addresses new issues using available resources, adapts to changing populations and needs, and develops and implements strategies to meet those needs. Models how to work with individuals who have complex needs and who may exhibit aggressive and/or self-injurious behaviors.
Reviews and approves required reports such as daily shift reports, on/off campus outing reports, environmental audit reports, vacancy reports and monthly reports on the status of corrective action and quality improvement initiatives. Analyzes staffing reports such as active employee/terminations reports, employee fill and turnover reports, and overtime reports to assess turnover, retention, use of overtime, and takes action to improve these areas for the assigned homes/units. Uses information contained to address both personnel and system issues and guides future CAPs and QIPs.
Collaborates with other department heads to review the quality of work for the clinicians and staff assigned to the homes, including nurses, qualified intellectual disability professionals, behavior analysts, and behavioral health specialists and assistants. Ensures quality and effectiveness of plans produced by interdisciplinary teams, including behavior support plans, psychiatric support plans, counseling plans, and skill acquisition plans. Provides professional supervision and consultation to assigned staff to ensure effective performance.
Attends, actively participates in, and follows up with issues generated from a wide array of meetings, work groups, activities and task forces related to residential services, including the Critical Incident Team (CIT) and Incident Management Review Team (IMRT), and other special projects and committees as assigned. Leads integrated team efforts for highly complex individuals to develop and implement effective service plans upon request.
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, or ability to research and develop knowledge of, Texas Administrative Code, HHSC policies and procedures related to State Supported Living Centers, the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement, and Life Safety Code.
Knowledge of and experience in ensuring the provision of quality services, treatment, training and supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Knowledge of behavior support plans, skill acquisition plans, and psychiatric support plans.
Knowledge regarding medications used to assist with positive behavior supports and systems to track treatment effectiveness.
Knowledge of a trauma-informed approach to care.
Skill in working with ICF/IID standards and applicable rules and laws.
Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problem.
Skill in developing, implementation and evaluating administrative policies and procedures.
Skill in managing a large group of staff members through a chain of command and in coaching others to build capacity.
Skill in leading and motivating staff and effectively implementing programs.
Skill in using computers and agency/facility software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and SharePoint.
Skill in overseeing an interdisciplinary team (IDT) process.
Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or other organizations.
Ability to manage functions and activities of a residential unit with multiple disciplines.
Ability to establishing goals and objectives, organize workload and set priorities.
Ability to effectively manage crisis/emergency situations.
Ability to organize and present information effectively, both in spoken and written word, to a wide variety of audiences.
Ability to analyze and solve complex problems and to make effective decisions affecting the overall operation of the assigned home.
Ability to manage time with considerable latitude for independent judgement and to maintain flexibility in work hours, which may require overtime or extended hours, and to be on-call in a rotating schedule.
Ability to make independent and sound technical judgments.
Ability to work in a team environment, and to train, schedule, supervise and prioritize the work of others.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, conduct a root cause analysis, draw valid conclusions and devise solutions.
Ability to develop, implement and evaluate policies, procedures and written manuals.

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