N.J. Admin. Code § 12:51-12.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 12:51-12.1 - Staff requirements, procedures and qualifications

(a) The executive director will maintain a functional organizational chart which is available at all times.

(b) The organization will provide a staff improvement program designed to encourage professional growth and development of the staff; for example, University Training Programs. Part of this program should include attendance at professional conferences each year pertaining to the work of the staff member, such as the National Rehabilitation Association, ACCSES New Jersey and the Association of Persons in Supported Employment, meetings and programs that are offered by the Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP), University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.

(c) Generally speaking, the professional and supervisory staff-client ratio should be no more than one to 12. The staff referred to are those directly involved in services to the participant. When dealing with the individuals with more severe disabilities, this ratio should be much less.

(d) Personnel policies, procedures and practices, and job descriptions must be stated in writing, a matter of official record, and given to all staff members. Such personnel codes shall be reviewed annually.

(e) Staff meetings at which appropriate staff members are present must be held periodically (at least once per month), and the minutes for every meeting will be kept on file and distributed for the use of the staff members involved.

(f) The executive director and the governing body/board will conduct a periodic review of professional staff salary ranges.

(g) Evidence that the individuals with disabilities, director and staff actively participate in interagency and community planning activities should be available.

(h) All staff members will have an annual written evaluation of their performance.

(i) Minimum qualifications for staff personnel are:

1. Executive director should possess:

i. A Bachelor's Degree and some of the college and university education should have included training in business administration, personnel management, the social sciences, industrial engineering, or management;

ii. Three years of experience in an administrative capacity directing professional, technical or supervisory personnel. Graduate degree(s) work may be substituted for two years experience; and

iii. Experience as a staff member in a rehabilitation program.

2. Supervisor (production) should possess:

i. A high school or technical school education or equivalency; and

ii. Supervisory experience in industrial production.

3. Rehabilitation counselor should possess a Bachelor's Degree in vocational rehabilitation or related fields.

4. Bookkeeper should possess a high school education or business school training in bookkeeping and/or accounting.

5. Vocational evaluator should possess an undergraduate degree, with emphasis in the rehabilitation area, and must attend a DVRS approved training program within six months of employment. Post graduate training in vocational evaluation may be substituted for the DVRS training program.

6. Vocational instructor should possess:

i. Accreditation by the New Jersey State Department of Education, or qualified as a journeyman in his or her field; and

ii. One year's experience in teaching a trade with teaching experience acceptable to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

7. Director of professional services should possess:

i. A Master's Degree in vocational rehabilitation or related field;

ii. At least one year of experience in an administrative capacity directing professional, technical, or supervisory personnel; and

iii. Experience as staff member in a rehabilitation program.

8. Psychiatrist should possess board certification.

9. Program director (psycho-social), who will be responsible for the overall development, implementation and maintenance of the psycho-social program and may have direct service responsibility, should possess:

i. A Master's Degree in vocational rehabilitation or a related field;

ii. At least three years' experience, one of which should be in an administrative capacity, directing professional, technical or supervisory personnel; and

iii. Experience in direct vocational service with the psychiatric disabilities.

10. Work supervisor (psycho-social) should possess:

i. A high school education or equivalent; and

ii. Five years of work experience in occupational areas similar to those being offered at the facility. The individual must have a clear understanding of the demands and expectations in business and industry, particularly related to the occupational area supervised. The individual must understand the functional limitations imposed by a psychiatric disability. Any combination of college or technical school may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. College credits should be within the helping professions.

11. Employment specialist (psycho-social) should possess:

i. A Bachelor of Arts degree in human services or a related field; and

ii. Two years experience in working with individuals with disabilities, particularly with individuals who have significant psychiatric disabilities. He or she should have an understanding of the functional limitations imposed by such a disability and must be familiar with the demands and expectations of business and industry. Experience in job placement should also be required.

N.J. Admin. Code § 12:51-12.1

Amended by R.1983 d.600, effective 1/3/1984.
See: 15 N.J.R. 1548(a), 16 N.J.R. 51(b).
Remove excessive editorial material that do not constitute rules and regulations in enforceable sense. Reduces 24 position description to 11.
Amended by R.1991 d.604, effective 12/16/1991.
See: 23 N.J.R. 2927(b), 23 N.J.R. 3797(a).
Revised (a) through (I).
Amended by R.1996 d.564, effective 12/16/1996.
See: 28 N.J.R. 4045(a), 28 N.J.R. 5209(a).
Deleted (a), relating to available services; and recodified (a)1 as (a).
Amended by R.2002 d.119, effective 5/6/2002.
See: 33 N.J.R. 4091(a), 34 N.J.R. 1726(a).
In (b), rewrote the second sentence.
Amended by R.2007 d.279, effective 9/4/2007.
See: 39 N.J.R. 1628(a), 39 N.J.R. 3744(a).
In (b), substituted "that" for "which" following "programs" and substituted "(RCEP)" for "(RRCEP)".