Community Support Specialist

About the position

The Community Support Specialist provides integrated, holistic, community-based support services. This role is essential in delivering quality and compassionate care to the communities served, focusing on supporting clients' movement toward recovery and resiliency goals. The position involves working collaboratively with clients and their families to develop and implement Wellness Plans, providing education and skill-building, and assisting clients in accessing necessary public services.

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.
• Support clients in completing goals identified on Wellness Plans and review them as required.
• Aid clients in accessing public services, including financial, housing, emergency assistance, and food.
• Maintain contact with hospitalized clients and participate in discharge planning.
• Provide education and skill-building in areas such as daily living skills, employment/education, symptom management, and budgeting.
• Assist clients in developing personal support systems.
• Provide individual assistance to clients in accessing needed services, including accompanying them to appointments.
• Follow up with clients regarding appointments and completion of forms.
• Contact consumers with unexcused absences to re-engage them in recovery efforts.
• Complete documentation and paperwork within the required timeframe.
• Communicate actively with other members of the integrated health team regarding client wellness.
• Seek and include input from Integrated Health Team providers on clients' Wellness Plans.
• Make referrals to additional services/providers as needed.
• Seek culturally competent services to meet the unique cultural needs of clients.
• 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.
• Experience working in community-based support services.

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
• $500 additional sign-on bonus for Qualified Mental Health Professionals