Community Support Specialist - Youth

$51,043 - $53,685/Yr

Compass Health Network - Clinton, MO

Full-time - Entry Level

Clinton, MO

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Community Support Specialist position at Compass Health Network is a vital role that provides integrated, holistic community support services to children and their families. This position is essential in helping clients achieve their treatment goals through a collaborative and strengths-based approach. The specialist will engage both the child and the parent/caregiver, ensuring that treatment is a family-centered process. The role requires the provision of individualized services that are tailored to the unique strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of each client and their family. This includes working closely with parents to encourage their active participation in the treatment process, which is crucial for achieving improved clinical outcomes. In this role, the Community Support Specialist will utilize a System of Care philosophy, focusing on a holistic, person-centered, and strengths-based perspective. They will incorporate coaching surrounding the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, addressing each domain of wellness, including physical and mental health. The specialist will support clients and families in completing goals identified on Wellness Plans, regularly reviewing and reassessing needs, service choices, and community functioning to update goals and objectives as necessary. The position also involves assisting families in accessing and arranging services and resources to help them achieve their goals. Maintaining contact with clients and families during hospitalizations, participating in discharge planning, and communicating with all involved providers to develop aftercare plans are critical responsibilities. The specialist will provide educational information and skill-building in areas such as daily living skills, coping strategies, and symptom management, all aimed at improving the functioning of clients and their families. Crisis intervention is another key aspect of this role, requiring the development and implementation of crisis intervention plans and providing necessary services during and after normal working hours. The Community Support Specialist will also work to develop natural support systems for clients and families, collaborating with family members, school staff, and legal guardians. Active participation in interagency team meetings to advocate for the mental health needs of clients and families is essential, as is the completion of all required documentation in a timely manner. Services are primarily provided in the home, based on clinical need, which may include evenings and weekends. The specialist will also communicate with other members of the integrated health team, including psychiatrists, therapists, and primary care providers, to ensure comprehensive care for clients. This role requires a commitment to culturally competent services to meet the unique needs of each client and family.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized community support services to children and their families using a motivational, stage-matched approach.
• Engage parents in the treatment process to improve clinical outcomes for children.
• Utilize a System of Care philosophy to deliver holistic, person-centered, strengths-based services.
• Support clients and families in completing goals identified on Wellness Plans and reassess needs as necessary.
• Assist families in accessing and arranging services and resources to achieve their goals.
• Maintain contact with clients and families during hospitalizations and participate in discharge planning.
• Provide educational information and skill-building in areas such as daily living skills and coping strategies.
• Develop and implement crisis intervention plans and provide necessary services during and after normal working hours.
• Help clients and families develop natural support systems by collaborating with family members and school staff.
• Participate in interagency team meetings to advocate for the mental health needs of clients and families.
• Complete all required documentation collaboratively with clients and families within the required timeframe.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a human service-related field preferred.
• At least four years of experience working with individuals with psychiatric, substance use, and/or developmental disabilities if no degree is obtained.
• At least two years of experience required if an Associate's degree is the highest education obtained.
• At least one year of experience required if a non-human service Bachelor's degree is the highest education obtained.
• A valid driver's license and agency-established minimum automobile coverage are required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a clinical setting or with integrated health teams is preferred.
• Knowledge of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness and System of Care philosophy is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package
• Advancement opportunities
• Professional development
• Licensure supervision
• Mentor opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Scholarship program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Headspace Access
• Paid time off and Paid Holidays
• NHSC Loan Repayment Participant