Community Support Specialist, Residential - Edgewater Area

$44,720 - $52,998/Yr

The Thresholds - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Chicago, IL

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Community Support Specialist - Residential (Adult Program) plays a crucial role in facilitating mental health rehabilitation interventions and supports for individuals with mental illnesses. This position is centered around helping members achieve their rehabilitative, resilience, and recovery goals within a Thresholds-operated residential program. The specialist is responsible for providing direct services to members through various means, including individual and group counseling, case management, job support, crisis intervention, and psycho-social rehabilitation services. Under direct supervision, the specialist gathers member information to assess service needs, makes treatment recommendations, and identifies existing natural resources and supports. A significant aspect of the role involves identifying risk factors related to relapse and developing prevention plans and strategies. The specialist may also assist in the development and review of Individual Treatment Plans (ITP), which necessitates face-to-face meetings with members or their guardians to identify goals, objectives, and specific mental health services required. In addition to therapeutic support, the specialist teaches members essential independent living skills, such as housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, and personal hygiene. They also help develop functional, interpersonal, support system, and coping skills. The role includes advocating for members and assisting them in problem-solving to access community resources. Comprehensive member assessments are performed in collaboration with the team to identify mental health service needs and make treatment recommendations. The specialist promotes self-advocacy and participation in decision-making regarding treatment and planning. The position requires maintaining accurate documentation of medication monitoring and ensuring compliance with Thresholds standards. The specialist is also responsible for maintaining a clean and safe living environment for members, attending required meetings, and completing necessary documentation within assigned time frames. The role may involve flexible scheduling, including weekends and evenings, and requires the use of a personal vehicle for work-related tasks.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates mental health rehabilitation interventions and supports for individuals with mental illnesses.
• Provides direct service to members through individual and group counseling, case management, job support, crisis intervention, and psycho-social rehabilitation services.
• Gathers member information and assesses the need for service under direct supervision.
• Makes recommendations for treatment and identifies existing natural resources and supports.
• Identifies risk factors related to relapse and develops relapse prevention plans and strategies.
• Develops and reviews Individual Treatment Plans (ITP) in face-to-face meetings with members or guardians.
• Teaches members independent living skills such as housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, and personal hygiene.
• Provides support to members with collateral sources, including other agencies and medical providers.
• Advocates and assists with problem-solving to help members access community support.
• Performs comprehensive member assessments to identify mental health service needs.
• Promotes member self-advocacy and participation in decision-making regarding treatment and planning.
• Ensures that the Thresholds Service Plan addresses member needs and includes objectives and techniques for achieving goals.
• Works cooperatively with inpatient hospital staff and maintains logs and records of all contacts.
• Participates in crisis intervention when necessary and monitors self-administration of medication.
• Communicates significant information regarding members to other staff or leadership.
• Provides accurate and timely information to supervisors on topics related to agency operations and member well-being.
• Maintains a clean and safe living environment for members and advises supervisors of maintenance issues.
• Attends required meetings and completes monthly clinical supervision trainings in a timely manner.
• Meets required billing targets and completes all documentation within assigned time frames.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• At least 21 years of age is required.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field.
• Any Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of experience in the field is acceptable.
• 5+ years of experience in the field can be substituted for a degree.
• Trained in Basic First Aid and CPR is preferred.
• Experience working with persons diagnosed with mental illness is preferred.
• Current and valid Driver's License is required.
• Ability to work as an effective team player is essential.
• Ability to document services provided in an Electronic Health Record in a timely manner is necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills are required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in First Aid is preferred.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• 403(b) matching
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Generous PTO (9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, 15-22 days personal and vacation)
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
• Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal
• Mileage reimbursement
• Vision insurance, choice of 4 medical insurance plans