Community Support Specialist

$35,360 - $43,680/Yr

Skylander Psychological Services - Riverside, MO

Full-time - Entry Level

Riverside, MO

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Community Support Specialist at Skylander Psychological Services, Inc. is responsible for providing community-based services to adults with serious mental illness (SPMI) in the Platte, Clay, and Ray counties. This role involves assisting clients with medication management, accompanying them to appointments, and helping them avoid hospitalization. The position offers flexibility in scheduling and requires strong time management skills, as it operates with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provides community-based services to assigned caseload, utilizing independent judgment and decision-making regarding appropriate treatment needed.
• Provides crisis intervention to consumers experiencing a psychiatric or substance use-related crisis and utilizes clinical judgment in recommending appropriate treatment recommendations, including the need for hospitalization or residential treatment.
• Maintains ongoing contact with hospitalized clients, including participation in staffing and discharge planning to facilitate successful reintegration into their living environment.
• Completes progress notes in AVATAR within 72 hours of service provided, clearly reflecting interventions and their necessity.
• Updates Person-Centered strengths-based treatment plans reflecting consumer's life goals and individualized choices.
• Problem solves issues related to housing and housing crises, accessing community resources to assist with basic needs and emergency situations, advocating for consumers regarding proper health care, and assisting consumers in resolving significant matters.
• Provides stage-based interventions to consumers experiencing co-occurring conditions and utilizes motivational interviewing skills.
• Makes referrals as needed to substance abuse counselors or treatment providers and maintains communication regarding treatment progression.
• Works in collaboration with the Health Care Home team to assist clients with their overall physical health using wellness coaching techniques.
• Provides active outreach to individuals who may be reluctant to engage, developing a working alliance to understand their individual concerns and needs.
• Completes risk assessments and crisis plans and all other required paperwork in accordance with agency policy and guidelines.
• Maintains knowledge of agency technology programs and/or systems needed to do the job and uses them effectively.
• Maintains required training and certifications and agency productivity standards.
• Attends and participates in weekly team meetings and monthly all-staff meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in the Social Services field or an Associate's degree with 4 years of prior related work experience required.
• Active driver's license and minimum state-required auto insurance.
• CPR/First Aid Certification required.
• 4 years minimum work-related experience required if no degree; if degreed, 1 to 3 years prior work-related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of behavioral health diagnosis and symptoms.
• General knowledge of community resources and/or willingness to research as needed.
• Strong crisis management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to use and troubleshoot basic business equipment.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of individuals.
• Strong ability to multi-task with a high level of accuracy and timeliness in project output.
• Ability to maintain a high level of client confidentiality.
• Ability to problem solve quickly and prioritize tasks for optimum efficiency.

Benefits

• Mileage reimbursement
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Life insurance