JOB TITLE:MH Specialist I (BDU) (Communication Specialist)
NUMBER: 07-18
JOB CODE:A5000 DATE: 08/27/2007
PCQ#: 8833001

SALARY RANGE(As of 10/1/07): 70 ($31,968.00 - $48,424.80)

JOB LOCATION: Greil Memorial Psychiatric Hospital
2140 Upper Wetumpka Road
Montgomery, Alabama 36107

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in Communications,
Psycholinguistics, Deaf Studies or a related field. Other job
related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or
part of these basic requirements.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Native or near-native signing
skills equal to advanced level of signing skills in American Sign
Language, as measured by a recognized screening process (SLPI).
Certification in either sign language (RID), in teaching American
Sign Language (ASLTA-Q or ASLTA-P), or equivalent must be obtained
within one year of employment.

KIND OF WORK: Works primarily in a specialized psychiatric unit
providing culturally and linguistically affirmative services to deaf
and hard of hearing (D/HH) patients with co-occurring disorders of
mental illness and chemical dependency in a state mental health
hospital. Responsibility includes providing the specialized services
of a communication assessment and facilitation for D/HH individuals.
Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team,
assisting in the development and implementation of treatment and
discharge plans. Provides advisory services on signed and
alternative communication issues to D/HH individuals and professional
staff. Teaches standardized sign language and alternative or
augmentive communication methods to diffluent individuals with
functional hearing losses. Coordinates and works with interpreters
in teaching ASL to non-signing staff. Other work duties involve
research and development of non-verbal or limited verbal types of
communication tools and teaching materials. Provides some
interpreting under supervision of a Qualified Mental Health
Interpreter (QMHI).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of signing
systems and dialects pertinent to regions and ethnicity in Alabama
and other southeastern states. Knowledge of methodology in teaching
and tutoring American Sign Language (ASL). A general knowledge of
deaf cultural groups in the United States and of identity levels
(deaf world, hearing majority, and marginality). Knowledge of state-
of-the-art communication methods. Knowledge of nonverbal and
augmentive communication strategies. Ability to assess signed
communication, particularly to differentiate idiosyncratic from
abnormal expressions. Ability to communicate fluently, clearly, and
effectively to any deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or hearing
individual using either sign language or written English. Ability to
interpret in appropriate modalities as needed.

METHOD OF SELECTION: Applicants will be rated on the basis of an
evaluation of their training, experience and education, and should
provide adequate work history identifying experiences related to the
duties and minimum qualifications mentioned above. All relevant
information is subject to verification.

HOW TO APPLY: An official Application for Professional Employment
may be obtained from this office, from any Department of Mental
Health and Mental Retardation facility personnel office, or our
website at www.mh.state.al.us. Only work experience detailed on the
application form will be considered. Additional sheets, if needed,
should be in the same format as the application. Resumes will not be
accepted in lieu of an official application. Applications should be
returned to: HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, GREIL MEMORIAL PSYCHIATRIC
HOSPITAL, 2140 UPPER WETUMPKA ROAD, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36107, by
Until Filled to be considered for this position.

COPIES OF LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED WITH YOUR
APPLICATION OR FURNISHED DURING THE INTERVIEW. AN OFFICIAL COPY OF
YOUR ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE FORWARDED BY THE COLLEGE OR
UNIVERSITY TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

APPLICANTS BEING GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WILL BE
SUBJECT TO A BACKGROUND CHECK. DRUG TESTING WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE
AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT IS CONFIRMED.

JCAHO ACCREDITED / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPL