Community Support Specialist

About the position

The Community Support Specialist provides integrated, holistic, community-based support services. This is a Full-time, benefit eligible position. The role involves providing individualized and group education services based on strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences identified collaboratively with clients and their families, focusing on supporting clients' movement toward recovery and resiliency goals. The position also includes assisting clients in identifying their strengths and needs regarding substance abuse and mental illness, and participating in the development of Wellness Plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and group education services based on strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences identified collaboratively with client/family.
• Assist client in identifying strengths, needs, abilities, & preferences regarding substance abuse/mental illness and participate in development of Wellness Plan.
• Provide services from a holistic perspective, incorporating coaching surrounding the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
• Support client in completion of goals identified on Wellness Plans, reviewing the WP with client as required.
• Aid in accessing public services, including financial, housing, emergency assistance, food, etc.
• Maintain contact with clients who are hospitalized, participating in discharge planning.
• Provide education and skill-building in areas such as daily living skills, employment/education, symptom management, communication/relationships, budgeting, maintaining a residence.
• Assist clients with developing personal support systems.
• Provide individual assistance to clients in accessing needed services including accompanying clients to appointments.
• Follow up with clients regarding appointments and completion of forms.
• Contact consumers who have unexcused absences from the CSTAR program to re-engage them.
• Complete documentation and paperwork within the required timeframe.
• Communicate actively with other members of the integrated team regarding all areas of client wellness.
• Seek and include input from Integrated Health Team providers on client's Wellness Plan.
• Work with clients to determine services needed and provide hand-offs to those services.
• Make referrals to additional services/providers as needed for client's Integrated Health Team.
• Function as liaison to others involved in client's treatment.
• Seek culturally competent services and service providers.
• Assist client with transportation as clinically indicated.

Requirements

• High School/GED required.
• 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

• Associate's/Bachelor's/Master's degree in a human service-related field preferred.
• If the degree is an Associate's of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support from an approved institution, then no additional experience is required.

Benefits

• Advancement opportunities
• Professional development
• Licensure supervision
• Mentor opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Scholarship program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Headspace Access
• Paid time off & Paid Holidays
• NHSC Loan Repayment Participant
• $1500 sign-on bonus; additional $500 sign-on bonus for Qualified Mental Health Professionals.