Community Support Specialist - Eyerly Ball

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines, IA

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

Des Moines, IA

Hospitals

About the position

The Community Support Specialist at Eyerly Ball UnityPoint Health plays a crucial role in enabling consumers to live, work, and engage in recreational activities within their community. This position involves providing or arranging necessary services that support individuals in managing their mental health symptoms, facilitating transportation, fostering supportive relationships, and ensuring effective communication with other healthcare providers. The specialist will assist clients in attending appointments, obtaining medications, and developing crisis intervention plans, as well as coordinating natural mental health support systems. In this role, the Community Support Specialist will assess the needs of clients and collaboratively develop goals aimed at promoting independence. The specialist will work closely with clients and team members to explore alternatives to hospitalization, higher levels of care, homelessness, and incarceration. Skills teaching will be a key component of the job, empowering clients to achieve greater independence. Advocacy for clients is essential, ensuring their needs, desires, and best interests are met. The position requires critical thinking skills to make independent judgments while maintaining accountability for the services provided. The Community Support Specialist must possess a deep understanding of the effects of mental illness and demonstrate the ability to relate respectfully to clients with diverse abilities and diagnoses. The role involves meeting clients in their homes or public places, necessitating safe driving and a willingness to transport clients in their own vehicle. Teamwork skills, including problem-solving and cooperation, are vital for success in this position. Additionally, the specialist will be responsible for meeting established revenue targets and engaging in ongoing professional development to enhance service provision. Documentation is a critical aspect of the role, requiring timely completion within established guidelines and an understanding of funder and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Assess the needs of clients and develop goals for achieving independence.
• Work with clients and team members to explore alternatives to hospitalization and higher levels of care.
• Provide skills teaching to promote greater independence.
• Advocate for clients to meet their needs and best interests.
• Utilize critical thinking to make independent judgments and maintain accountability for services provided.
• Demonstrate knowledge of mental illness effects and relate respectfully to clients with various diagnoses.
• Meet clients in their homes or public places and transport them safely when necessary.
• Possess teamwork skills including problem solving and cooperation.
• Meet established revenue targets.
• Engage in professional development and activities that enhance service provision.
• Complete all documentation within established guidelines and track monthly outcome objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in Human Services or a related field.
• One year of experience with the population served preferred.
• Valid driver's license and insurance for work-related driving.
• Ability to speak, read, and write fluent English.
• Ability to read and comprehend common terminology in the mental health field.
• Proficiency in entering documentation in an EHR and using Microsoft Office.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients and professionals.

Benefits

• Competitive Total Rewards program with benefits options that align with personal needs and priorities.
• Commitment to team members recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare.
• Opportunities for professional development and support.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitment ensuring all voices are heard.