Direct Service, #49050
Occupational Family: Health and Human Services
Pay Band Range: 1 - 4

Concept of Work

This Career Group provides career tracks for healthcare support occupations that serve as complementary components of a comprehensive health care or human services system by directly providing client services or assisting professionals in a residential training center, or a specific health care or programmatic area. Direct client services include medical and mental health care, case management, client training, outreach activities, environmental health monitoring, patient preparation and observation, therapeutic treatment, and dental care. Support services include laboratory testing, pharmaceutical preparation and distribution, diagnostic procedures, nutrition assessment and administrative services. Certification or specialized training to meet local, state or federal requirements may be required. Employees perform duties ranging from entry-level assistants to fully trained paraprofessionals and supervisors.

Roles Comprising This Group

These roles describe the collective characteristics of the work performed by employees in the Direct Service Career Group. The roles define the typical career paths for employees who pursue careers such as respiratory therapy assistants, hospital attendants, nursing assistants, dental assistants, emergency medical technicians, pharmacy technicians, psychiatric technicians, dietetics technicians, medication assistants, physical/occupational therapist aide, training center direct care workers, public health associates, and dental laboratory technicians.

Although all of these occupations are health care support occupations, each warrants a separate career track. Each of these career paths requires different knowledge, skills, and abilities and would not naturally lead to the other for career progression. However, a role for each of these occupations represents different levels of work, or career progression. Career paths may exist within a single role, extend to other roles in this Career Group, or to roles in other occupationally related Career Groups.

PAY BAND

PRACTITIONER ROLES

ROLE CODE

MANAGEMENT ROLES

ROLE CODE

1

Direct Service Associate I

49051

   

2

Direct Service Associate II

49052

3

Direct Service Associate III

49053

   

4

Direct Service Associate IV

49054

   

Role Descriptions

These roles are distinguished based upon the Compensable Factors of Complexity, Results, and Accountability and are used for position classification. These factors should be used for classification and compensation analysis. Recruitment and selection standards must be based on knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated in the Employee Work Profile.

Direct Service Associate I

Code: 49051

Pay Band: 1

SOC: 29-2050*

The Direct Service Associate I role provides career tracks for assistants (such as public health, day care, respiratory therapy) and hospital attendants performing entry-level to journey-level responsibilities requiring little prior training or experience and the work is well defined.

Direct Service Associate I

COMPLEXITY

  • Work is well defined and is performed within prescribed policies and procedures.
  • Tasks are repetitive and are influenced by the population served.
  • Applies basic knowledge of processes, methods and/or procedures for a variety of services or a detailed knowledge of a specific program or service.
  • Responsibilities include: cleaning and setting up instruments, equipment, and facilities; collecting specimens; preparing and providing routine information about services; providing routine/general guidance to clients, patients, customers.
  • May have responsibility for: transporting patients and clients; basic housekeeping; changing dressings; measuring vital signs; supervising/observing children, client or patient activities and some routine administrative tasks.

RESULTS

  • Actions affect the health, safety, and well being of clients.
  • Clients are treated with respect and dignity.

ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Limited discretion is required to carry out responsibilities.
  • Supervision is received by detailed instructions and/or employee actions are subject to close review.

 

Direct Service Associate II

Code: 49052

Pay Band: 2

SOC: 29-2050*

The Direct Service Associate II role provides career tracks for health care support technicians, such as nursing assistants, physical/occupational therapist aide, pharmacy assistants, psychiatric workers, medication assistants, and others who perform health care support responsibilities ranging from entry-level to journey-level. This role also provides career tracks for supervisors of hospital attendants. Duties are varied, requiring either knowledge in a variety of areas or specialized knowledge to perform tasks in assigned specialty areas.

Direct Service Associate II

COMPLEXITY

  • Understanding of a client’s diagnosis and treatment or program plan.
  • Services are broad in scope.
  • Applies knowledge of related program, regulations, practices, procedures, methods, instruments, and/or equipment.
  • Responsibilities include: providing information which conveys service availability to clients; assisting in the development of client service plans; implementing service plans; planning and implementing activities; and performing physical, dental, medical, laboratory, clinical, nutritional, administrative, environmental, eligibility, outreach and pharmaceutical tasks in support of clients or service delivery.
  • Work is complicated by nature of assigned caseload.

RESULTS

  • Client care, program, or training needs are met.
  • Delivery of quality care or effective customer service.

ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Exercises situational judgment and discretion to assure appropriate action is or has been taken.
  • Collects, records, and reports client data.
  • Actions are subject to review.
  • May lead or supervise other staff.

 

Direct Service Associate III

Code: 49053

Pay Band: 3

SOC: 29-2050*

The Direct Service Associate III role provides career tracks for health care support specialists that are either service delivery experts or supervisors. As service delivery experts, employees provide or lead specialized services that support the work of interdisciplinary treatment teams, licensed clinical staff, and professional counselors. This role also provides career tracks for human rights advocates. As supervisors, employees supervise other Direct Service Workers, develop staff schedules, evaluate staff performance, serve as members of interdisciplinary treatment teams, make minor changes in treatment and program plans, write reports, make oral presentations, and review client records for appropriate documentation.

Direct Service Associate III (Expert)

COMPLEXITY

  • Applies knowledge related to either: a variety of service programs, practices, methods, procedures, regulations, instruments and equipment; or a specific service area.
  • Supports interdisciplinary treatment or professional services, client assessment, or program development and coordination.
  • Plans, provides, and documents services.
  • May advise clients of their rights, investigate and respond to complaints, and maintain associated documentation.
    •

RESULTS

  • Services appropriate to client needs.
  • Promotion of client social, recreation, personal care, independent living, or vocational skills, and self-esteem and motivation.
  • Treatment/program plans meet goals.
  • Services have long-term impact on client safety, security, physical and mental well being, as well as the ability of clients to obtain gainful employment and becoming participating member of society.

ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Develops components of treatment/program plans.
  • Applies discretion and judgment to independently resolve service delivery problems.
  • Direct accountability for service due to occasional supervisory review.
  • Decisions affect the efficiency and quality of service delivery.
  • May have lead responsibilities.
  • May be responsible for specialized laboratory techniques, such as repairing or manufacturing dental prosthetics.

 

Direct Service Associate III (Supervisor)

COMPLEXITY

  • Applies knowledge related to either: a variety of service programs, practices, methods, procedures, regulations, instruments and equipment; or a specific service area.
  • Applies knowledge of the principles of supervision.
  • May serve on, and/or coordinate activities of, an interdisciplinary team.

RESULTS

  • Services are delivered as prescribed.
  • Long-term impact on client safety, security, and physical and mental well being.
  • Writes components of treatment/program plans.
  • Evaluates program effectiveness in conjunction with professional staff.
  • Responsibilities may control service delivery or have the potential for significant liability to the Commonwealth.

ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Ensures delivery of services.
  • Applies discretion and judgment to independently resolve daily service administrative operations.
  • Compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • Decisions affect the efficiency and quality of service delivery.
  • Client records contain appropriate documentation.
  • Supervises staff providing direct services, sometimes on multiple shifts and in multiple living areas.

 

Direct Service Associate IV

Code: 49054

Pay Band: 4

SOC: 51-9081*

The Direct Service Associate IV role provides career tracks for dental laboratory technicians who perform duties ranging from advanced level to supervisory. The work requires specialized expertise in the fabrication and repair of a variety of dental applications used by dentists or dental students for their patients.

Direct Service Associate IV

COMPLEXITY

  • Applies knowledge of face and mouth anatomy; the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, muscles and bones.
  • Applies knowledge of the materials used in dental appliance and the characteristics, properties, and proper use of those materials.
  • Ability to use laboratory techniques and methods and the use of laboratory instruments and equipment.
  • May require knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
  • Consults with dentists on design, use of materials, shading and staining.
  • Certification as a Certified Dental Technician is required.
    •

RESULT

  • Fabrication and repair of dental appliance meets the needs of the client.
    •

ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Appliances are constructed in conformance with guidelines and specifications prescribed by a licensed dentist.
  • Independently performs duties under the general guidance of a dentist or dental laboratory supervisor or manager.
  • May supervise and evaluate laboratory personnel.
    •

 

*Statistical Reporting

This Career Group includes, but is not limited to, those in the following Standard Occupational Classifications:
29-2041 Emergency Medical Technicians
29-2050 Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioner Support Technicians
29-2051 Dietetic Technicians
29-2052 Pharmacy Technicians
29-2053 Psychiatric Technicians
29-2054 Respiratory Therapy Technicians
29-2055 Surgical Technologists
29-2090 Miscellaneous Health Technologists & Technicians
31-1000 Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides
31-2000 Occupational & Physical Therapists Assistants & Aides
31-9091 Dental Assistants
51-9081 Dental Laboratory Technicians

New Effective Date: 11/01/01

History

Previous class titles (listed by new role title).

Direct Service Associate I

CLASS CODE

CLASS TITLE

GRADE

34131

Dependent Day Care Assistant

1

34132

Dependent Day Care Supervisor

2

44091

Patient Support Assistant

2

22091

Public Health Outreach Worker Assistant

3

43241

Respiratory Therapy Assistant

3

44103

Hospital Attendant Specialist

3

44104

Hospital Attendant Supervisor A

3


Direct Service Associate II

CLASS CODE

CLASS TITLE

GRADE

22092

Public Health Outreach Worker

4

34064

Residence Hall Coordinator

4

34122

Deaf and Blind School Houseparent

4

41221

Environmental Health Assistant

4

91881

Public Health Associate A

4

44071

Human Services Care Worker

4

44191

Nursing Assistant

4

44105

Hospital Attendant Supervisor B

4

44132

Child Care Charge Technician

4

44314

Physical/Occupational Therapist Aide

4

44332

Dental Assistant B

4

44341

Pharmacy Assistant A

4

43111

Nutritionist Assistant

5

43242

Respiratory Therapy Technician A

5

44011

Emergency Medical Technician

5

91882

Public Health Associate B

5

44072

Human Services Care Lead Worker

5

44081

Psychiatric Forensic Worker

5

44106

Hospital Attendant Supervisor C

5

44198

Medication Assistant

5

44174

Operating Room Technician

5

44342

Pharmacy Assistant B

5


Direct Service Associate III

CLASS CODE

CLASS TITLE

GRADE

42401

University Dental Assistant

6

42402

University Dental Auxiliary Utilization Instructor

6

44073

Human Services Care Specialist

6

91883

Public Health Associate C

6

43243

Respiratory Therapy Technician B

6

42403

University Dental Assistant Supervisor

7

42404

University Dental Patient Care Coordinator

7

45021

Psychologist Assistant

7

44074

Human Services Care Specialist Senior

7

44075

Human Services Care Supervisor

7

44084 Mental Hospital Psychiatric Forensic Worker
7

44354

Industrial Therapy Supervisor

7

37121

Human Rights Advocate

8

43282

Dental Prosthetic Lab Technician

8


Direct Service Associate IV

CLASS CODE

CLASS TITLE

GRADE

43441

University Dental Laboratory Technician

9

43442

University Dental Laboratory Supervisor

10