Community Support Specialist

About the position

The Community Support Specialist is responsible for assisting clients with severe and persistent mental illness to live successfully and to their satisfaction in the community. This is accomplished by using an assertive case management outreach approach based on the Rehabilitation Model. Services include housing acquisition, intensive case management, psychiatric rehabilitation, supportive counseling, crisis intervention, resource acquisition (vocational, educational, rental and utility assistance, substance abuse, medication), service coordination and development of a natural support system. This position requires transporting client in personal automobile. This position may require participation in 24-hour on call crisis intervention activities on a rotating basis.

Responsibilities

• Assesses and monitors a client's adjustment to community living
• Monitors client participation and progress in organized treatment programs to assure the planned provision of services according to the client's individual treatment plan
• Participates in the development or revision of a specific individualized treatment plan including completion of the DLA-20 as well as timely and thorough communication to assessor regarding potential goals and objectives
• Provides individual assistance to clients in accessing needed mental health services including accompanying clients to appointments to address medical or other health needs
• Assesses clients' level of risks, strengths, and weaknesses and interviews clients, reviews records, and confers with other professionals to evaluate clients' preparedness for independent living
• Encourages medication compliance and provides education regarding medications and monitoring of side effects
• Provides individual assistance to clients in accessing a variety of public services, including financial and medical assistance and housing, including assistance on an emergency basis and directly helping to meet needs for food, shelter and clothing
• Assists the client to access and utilize a variety of community agencies and resources to provide ongoing social, educational, vocational and recreational supports and activities
• Intercedes on behalf of individual clients within the community-at-large to assist the client in achieving and maintaining their community adjustment
• Maintains contact with clients who are hospitalized and participates in and facilitates discharge planning
• Trains, coaches and supports in daily living skills, including housekeeping, cooking, personal grooming, accessing transportation, keeping a budget, paying bills and maintaining an independent residence
• Assists in creating personal support systems that include work with family members, legal guardians or significant others regarding the needs and abilities of a client
• Encourages and promotes recovery efforts, client independence/self-care and responsibility
• Provides support to families in the area such as treatment planning, dissemination of information, linking to services and parent guidance
• Provides holistic, person-centered care
• Develops and supports wellness and recovery goals in collaboration with the individual served
• Provides services to clients which are determined to be appropriate based on GAF score and level of care
• Performs job duties with an efficient use of time based on client's needs as well as meeting efficiency requirements based on budget parameters
• Notifies Program Director of any changes in client's condition

Requirements

• Associate's/Bachelor's degree in human service-related field preferred
• At least four (4) years of experience OR a combination of higher education and experience required if a High School/GED is the highest education obtained
• At least two (2) years of experience OR a combination of higher education and experience required if an Associate's degree is the highest education obtained
• At least one (1) year of experience required if a non-human service bachelor's degree is the highest education obtained
• All experience must include working with individuals with psychiatric, substance use, and/or developmental disabilities
• A valid driver's license and agency established minimum automobile coverage required

Nice-to-haves

• Certification in CPR, First Aid, CPI and Medication Level I Aide provided by the agency upon hire

Benefits

• Advancement opportunities
• Professional development
• Licensure supervision
• Mentor opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Scholarship program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Headspace Access
• Paid time off & Paid Holidays
• $1,500 sign-on bonus for Community Support Specialist positions
• $500 sign-on bonus for Qualified Mental Health Professionals