Community Support Specialist, Residential, Substitute

$44,720 - $52,998/Yr

Thresholds - Niles, IL

Part-time - Entry Level

Niles, IL

Social Assistance

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 essential member information to assess service needs, make treatment recommendations, and identify 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 establish goals, objectives, and the 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 work on developing functional, interpersonal, support system, and coping skills. The role includes providing support to members in collaboration with collateral sources, such as other agencies and medical providers, advocating for members, and assisting with problem-solving to help them access community resources. The specialist performs comprehensive member assessments alongside the team to identify mental health service needs and make treatment recommendations. They promote self-advocacy among members, ensuring that the Thresholds Service Plan addresses individual needs and includes actionable objectives. The specialist collaborates with inpatient hospital staff, maintains accurate logs and records, and participates in crisis intervention as necessary. Monitoring medication self-administration and ensuring compliance with documentation standards are also key responsibilities. The role requires maintaining a clean and safe living environment for members, attending required meetings, and completing documentation within specified time frames. The specialist may also be responsible for purchasing groceries and assisting with meal preparation, ensuring that the residence remains a safe and inviting space for all members.

Responsibilities

• 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, 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 assists with members' Individual Treatment Plans (ITP) through face-to-face meetings to identify goals and specific mental health services needed.
• Teaches members independent living skills, such as housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, and personal hygiene.
• Provides support to members with collateral sources, advocating and assisting with problem-solving to access community support.
• Performs comprehensive member assessments to identify mental health service needs and make treatment recommendations.
• Promotes member self‐advocacy and participation in decision-making and treatment planning.
• Ensures that the Thresholds Service Plan addresses member needs and includes objectives and techniques for accomplishing each goal.
• Works cooperatively with inpatient hospital staff, keeping logs and records of all contacts as required.
• Monitors Self Administration of Medication and documents medication monitoring procedures.
• Communicates significant information regarding members to other staff or leadership and provides timely information to supervisors.
• Assures compliance with Thresholds procedures regarding handling of member's funds and maintains high standards of reporting and accounting.
• Maintains a clean and safe residence, advising supervisors of maintenance issues.
• Attends required meetings and completes monthly clinical supervision trainings.
• Meets required billing targets and completes all documentation within assigned time frames.
• Uses personal vehicle for work and maintains agency-required liability insurance coverage.
• Conducts safety checks and maintains health and safety logs as required.

Requirements

• Must meet Office of Mental Health Rule 132 credential requirements for a Rehabilitative Services Associate, requiring a minimum age of 21.
• Hold a Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field.
• High School diploma or GED is required.
• At least 21 years of age is required.
• Experience working with persons diagnosed with mental illness is preferred.
• Current and valid driver's license is required.
• Ability to document services provided in an Electronic Health Record in a timely manner is necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills are essential.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field is preferred.
• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay - Base Rate: $21.50 - $25.48 hourly / $44,720 - $53,000 annually, subject to increase based on education and experience.