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 with a schedule of Monday-Friday. Due to critical service needs of the communities served, a $1500 sign-on bonus is offered, with an additional $500 for Qualified Mental Health Professionals. The role focuses on providing quality and compassionate care to clients, supporting their movement toward recovery and resiliency goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and group education services based on strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences identified collaboratively with client/family.
• Assist clients in identifying strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences regarding substance abuse/mental illness and participate in the development of Wellness Plans.
• Provide services from a holistic perspective, incorporating coaching surrounding the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
• Support clients in completing goals identified on Wellness Plans, reviewing and updating as necessary.
• Aid clients in accessing public services, including financial, housing, emergency assistance, and food.
• Maintain contact with hospitalized clients, participating in discharge planning and developing aftercare plans.
• Provide education and skill-building in areas such as daily living skills, employment/education, symptom management, and budgeting.
• Assist clients with developing personal support systems, including work with family members and recovery communities.
• Provide individual assistance to clients in accessing needed services, including accompanying them to appointments.
• Follow up with clients regarding appointments and completion of necessary forms.
• Contact consumers with unexcused absences to re-engage them in recovery efforts.
• Meet service provision expectations per client needs and company guidelines.
• Complete documentation and paperwork within the required timeframe.
• Communicate actively with other members of the integrated health team regarding all areas of client wellness.
• Seek and include input from Integrated Health Team providers on clients' Wellness Plans.
• Work with clients to determine needed services and provide hand-offs to those services.
• Make referrals to additional services/providers as needed for clients' Integrated Health Team.
• Function as a liaison to others involved in clients' treatment, including family, employers, and schools.
• Seek culturally competent services to meet the unique cultural needs of clients and their families.
• Assist clients 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 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 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