Community Support Specialist

Preferred Family Healthcare - Saint Louis, MO

Full-time - Entry Level

Saint Louis, MO

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Community Support Specialist plays a crucial role in helping individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges adapt to their communities. This position focuses on creating personalized plans that address specific needs, utilizing evidence-based techniques to provide comprehensive mental health services. The specialist aims to empower clients and their families, fostering growth, stability, and resilience through connection with local resources and support networks.

Responsibilities

• Provide community-based mental health services to children, adolescents, and/or adults including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention implementation.
• Collaborate with clients, families, and other stakeholders to develop and implement individualized treatment plans that address the client's specific needs and goals.
• Utilize a strengths-based approach that emphasizes empowerment, skill-building, and resilience, incorporating evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Positive Reinforcement Techniques, Trauma-Informed Strategies, and skills based in CBT and DBT approaches.
• Provide behavioral interventions, including motivational interviewing, operant conditioning, interpersonal and group dynamics, cognitive processing, and other evidence-based interventions.
• Coordinate care with other service providers, including primary care physicians, psychiatrists, schools, and community organizations.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of client interactions, treatments, and progress, in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Participate in staff development activities, including training and education programs, to enhance knowledge and skills related to youth mental health services.
• Contribute to the organization's quality improvement initiatives, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the team, including case managers, therapists, and support staff, to ensure effective coordination of care and support for clients.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including parents, teachers, counselors, and other professionals involved in the client's care.
• Prepare for and facilitate PSR group sessions as pertinent to client treatment plan goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or other human services specialized field of study; or a Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field with two years of related work experience; or any four-year combination of higher education and two years of related work experience; or an Associate's of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support; or four years of qualifying experience.
• Experience delivering services to individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles, and techniques as they relate to mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Ability to problem solve and communicate ideas clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed care.
• Knowledge of community resources available for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Experience in facilitating group sessions.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage between $18 - $23.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Supportive work environment focused on community health.