PARA MEDICAL ASSISTANT (PMA) I, II, III & (PMA) – MENTAL HEALTH (EL & FP)

Duties Summary

This series includes all positions which involve the performance, as a primary responsibility, of duties relating directly to the care of patients in a hospital or medically oriented institution or clinic, when the performance of this responsibility involves direct interpersonal relationships with patients or responsible participation as a member of a treatment or nursing team. The performance of such work primarily requires practical knowledge of various techniques and procedures and the ability to work as a member of a treatment team. Such knowledge is typically gained through a combination of on-the-job experience, specialized training courses, and supervised clinical practice.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• General Experience Requirement: Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience of the kind and quality described below, and in the amounts shown below in the following table, or any equivalent combination of training and experience:

• PMA I-III Specialized Experience: (Level I = 0 years, Level II = 1 year, Level III = 2 years)
• Work experience in health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, health centers and other medically oriented institutions where the primary or basic objective was to provide for the maximum physical, mental and/or emotional health of the patient and which duties involved:
• The observation and reporting of a variety of physical and/or mental symptoms and condition;
• Implementing care and/or treatment procedures.
• PMA-MH Entry Level: Knowledge of personal hygiene and bodily care.
• PMA-MH Full Performance: In addition to the Entry Level Qualification Required, one (1) year of work experience which involved the performance of direct personal care activities and a variety of nursing support tasks in the care and/or treatment of patients/inmates. Such experience must have demonstrated knowledge of basic nursing skills (i.e., taking vital signs, measuring output, recognition of abnormal signs and symptoms, etc.); first aid; universal precautions; infection control; patient rights; basic medical and nursing terminology; and the ability to assist in and participate in the activities of the treatment team; and independently provide direct personal care services to mentally ill patients/inmates.

Specialized Experience Requirement

Specialized knowledge, skills and abilities may be required to perform the duties of some positions. For such positions, Selective Certification Requirements may be established, and certification may be restricted to eligibles who possess the pertinent experience and/or training required to perform the duties of the position. Agencies requesting selective certification must show the connection between the kind of training and/or experience on which they wish to base selective certification and the duties of the position to be filled.

Who May Apply

Legal Authorization to Work Requirement: The State of Hawaii requires that all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Other Information

Complete Application packet at: https://health.hawaii.gov/employment/job-opportunities/

Recruitment deadline is continuous.

Job Benefits With The State Of Hawai'i

• With Civil Service modernization, effective July 1, 2002, employees appointed to temporary positions may also gain membership in the civil service upon satisfactory completion of an initial probation period of at least six months. As a temporary member of the civil service, you will be eligible to apply for promotion and transfer opportunities to permanent as well as other temporary positions. You may also enjoy other rights and benefits afforded to members of the civil service, with the exception of return rights and placement rights associated with a reduction-in-force of a permanent member of the civil service.

• Paid Holidays: You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year. Paid Vacation: You may earn vacation leave at a rate that other employers find tough to match – 21 days each full year from the FIRST year of employment. This compares to an average of 10 days offered by private companies. You may accumulate up to a total of 90 days (720 hours) of vacation. Paid Sick Leave: You may earn sick leave at the same rate as vacation – 21 days per year from the FIRST year, and there is no limit on the amount you can accumulate. Expectant mothers may also use sick leave for pre-natal or post-natal check-ups or any illness related to pregnancy. Plus, unused accumulated sick leave may eventually be used to increase your retirement benefits in certain situations.

• Health Insurance: The State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Dental Plan. For more information, visit the Employer Union Trust Fund website www.eutf.hawaii.gov for coverage and options.

• Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees.

• Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees under the Hybrid Plan with 10 years of credited service and who have reached 65 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and have reached 60 years of age may retire and receive benefits. To find out more about the options you have, go to http://ers.ehawaii.gov.

• Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.

• Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.

• Transportation Benefits: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct qualified transportation expenses (i.e. eligible parking fees, monthly bus passes for TheBus, fare coupons for The Handi-Van, Vanpool Hawaii participation fee, etc.) through pre-tax payroll deductions.

• Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a voluntary pre-tax retirement savings plan designed to give employees a tax break today and an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several types of investment options are available.

• Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.

• Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.

• Promotions & Transfers: For employees with membership in the civil service, the State offers promotion and transfer opportunities throughout the State Executive Branch.

• Training & Continuing Education: The State supports developmental activities related to an employee's work. In many departments there are numerous in-service training opportunities available. Sabbatical leaves with pay are available for qualified employees.

• Travel Expenses: The State may pay for certain business related travel expenses including mileage reimbursement for use of a personal car during work, airfare, meals and lodging expenses for trips to neighbor islands or out of state.

• Incentive & Service Awards: The State has a program that recognizes employees for their years of service and provides cash awards for their superior accomplishments and other contributions that improve State operations.

• Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. Employees may also decide not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employee's job is excluded from collective bargaining.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Revised 01/13