Training Specialist III

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Brief 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 teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

Provides complex (journey-level) educational activities and services to state hospital employees, as well as serves as subject matter expert on provision of services to clients. Incorporates a perspective into developing, planning, organizing, conducting, and evaluating educational and training programs/opportunities in new pre-service training, annual refresher training, and on-the-job training. Responsible for tracking and ensuring accuracy of hospital curriculum.

Ensures employees are effectively trained in the core and specialty competencies required for their position. Ensures accurate records of training are maintained and utilizes the training software program in maintaining and providing employee training records and in reporting training compliance. Tracks employee training for all state hospital employees. Maintains survey readiness for the department. Works under general supervision of the Facility Competency and Training Department (FCTD) Assistant Director, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Must understand that the duties, location of work and shift pattern are subject to change as determined by the administration to meet the needs of the hospital. Must understand that the duties may include exposure to blood or other potential infectious materials.

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 (EJFs):

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.

Conducts training and maintains a positive learning environment that encourages employee participation and achievement of staff competency. Teaches core mandatory classes and local trainings to include (CPR, TIPS, annual refresher, core classes as mandated by state office, etc.) to new hire employees as well as existing employees annually. This will include the employee conducting instructor lead courses to new and existing employees and will require being knowledgeable of all training materials and curriculum in order to   accurately educate staff as well as conduct an assessment of competency in on the employee upon completion of the class. Staff must have excellent speaking and presentation skills as well as a creative and positive attitude in order to keep staff engaged and interested in the material.

Ensures training rosters for the hospital are entered into PeopleSoft, tracks training of all hospital employees to ensure hospital compliance of 95%. Attention to detail is critical to complete this task as it is the information that will reflect the individual’s training record for the hospital and must be accurate. Ensures the monthly mandatory/delinquent list is up to date and accurate which involves running a report at the beginning of the month and reconciling this with an excel spreadsheet to track all required and delinquent training for that month. This process is completed weekly to ensure an accurate account of what continues to be due for the hospital. Responsible for removing training as it is taken and sending reminders to appropriate individuals to ensure training is scheduled and completed in order not to affect the hospital compliance. This process must be followed up on daily in order to maintain compliance.

Serves as the FCTD curriculum coordinator and subject matter expert (SME) to ensure curriculum is updated as policies change and reflects current versions of the Texas Administrative Code, The Joint Commission (TJC), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) standards; develops new training; addresses any local customization of standardized training; enhances training content and/or interest.  The Training Specialist will attend committee meetings or workgroups as developed at the hospital in order to produce new local training in order to accomplish plan of corrections identified during performance improvement opportunities. All local training will be reviewed annually and updated to keep material current and interesting to the employee population. The Training Specialist will monitor all curriculum for the department and issue updates as necessary from FSSCTD or when standards change.

Monitors and documents the actions and behaviors of class participants to ensure compliance with psychiatric hospital policies and FCTD guidelines. As an instructor in the CTD Department it is the responsibility of all instructors to monitor all employees during new hire orientation and annual training. Any issues that arise during training such as inappropriate comments, dress code violations, behavioral issues (sleeping in class or using cell phones, etc.) is to be documented on the appropriate form and forwarded to the corresponding supervisor. The instructor will assist the supervisor in any way necessary in regard to addressing the situation.

Maintains necessary certifications to teach certain FCTD courses and other assigned classes. The Training Specialist will be required to teach CPR, TIPS and possibly Van Driver Training, all of which require certifications to be maintained.

Demonstrates organizational skills in all aspects of the position. A very large portion of this position will be to organize, enter and reconcile employee training as well as training files. It is essential that the Training Specialist possess the organizational skills necessary to keep rosters each month organized to ensure they are entered within hospital timeframes and can be located easily upon request. It is also essential all employee training files are maintained in an orderly fashion in order to ensure the department is survey ready at all times. Maintains notebooks in the Quality Management (QM) Department with current and past training schedules in order to meet TJC readiness for the hospital.

Demonstrates accurate and effective use of the PeopleSoft TIMS computer training tracking system in order to ensure correct and complete documentation of staff training. The Training Specialist must be able to utilize PeopleSoft in order to accurately enter training rosters and pull reports for the department. This will require an understanding of basic computer commands and ability to learn software.

Performs other duties as assigned in order to ensure services are provided. 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. Other duties as assigned includes backing up other positions within the department at 100% of work time at the discretion of the director. This includes, but is not limited to, extended sitting, computer-based duties, extended typing, running errands to multiple campus locations and sorting/filing paper documents. Duties, location of work and shift pattern are subject to change as determined by administration in order to meet department and hospital needs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Ability to enter and track large amounts of data and utilize databases.

Ability to work in a team environment and interact with individuals of different backgrounds and types of education.

Ability to work with individuals with mental illnesses preferred.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Position must obtain certification in CPR, TIPS and PiCert within six (6) months of hire date.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor's Degree required. Two years in teaching professionally may substitute for degree.

Teaching in adult education preferred.

Experience working in mental health field is preferred.

Additional Information:

CURRENT EMPLOYEES NEED ONLY TO APPLY. 

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form