Community Support Specialist

North Central Behavioral Health Systems - Morris, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Morris, IL

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Community Support Specialist plays a crucial role in providing individual and group services to adults and youth within various settings, including the office, home, and community. This position is essential for facilitating case management interventions that support individuals in managing their mental health and physical health issues. The specialist acts as a liaison between inpatient hospitalizations, emergency rooms, and nursing homes, ensuring a smooth transition for individuals as they discharge and receive follow-up care. This role emphasizes person-centered case management, where the specialist advocates for individuals to obtain necessary resources, housing, and healthcare services. In addition to case management, the Community Support Specialist is responsible for facilitating individual and group counseling sessions. These sessions focus on teaching skills that help individuals manage their mental health challenges effectively. The specialist utilizes evidence-based curricula to educate clients on various topics, including symptom management, recovery strategies, interpersonal skills, daily living skills, problem-solving techniques, healthy living practices, social connectedness, medication management, and effective communication. The role also involves providing appropriate linkages and referrals to assist clients with entitlements and other necessary services. The Community Support Specialist actively participates in agency meetings, training sessions, and supervision to enhance their skills and contribute to the agency's mission. Documentation of services provided is a critical aspect of this role, ensuring that all interventions are recorded accurately. Additionally, the specialist may be required to provide crisis intervention on a rotating call basis, demonstrating their commitment to supporting individuals in times of need.

Responsibilities

• Works as a liaison between inpatient hospitalizations, emergency rooms, and nursing homes to plan for discharge and follow-up care.
• Provides person-centered case management and individual and group counseling.
• Advocates on behalf of individuals to obtain needed resources, housing, and healthcare.
• Facilitates interventions that focus on learning skills and ways to manage mental health and physical health issues.
• Teaches skills using evidence-based curriculum about symptom management, recovery, interpersonal skills, daily living, problem-solving, healthy living, social connectedness, medication management, and communication.
• Provides appropriate linkage and referral and assistance with entitlements.
• Actively participates in agency meetings, trainings, and supervision.
• Completes documentation of services provided.
• Provides crisis intervention as necessary on a rotating call basis.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in social service field or a related field with two years of experience in Mental Health.
• Associate's Degree in a related field with five years of Mental Health experience.
• Valid driver's license, insurance, and vehicle.

Nice-to-haves

• 1-2 years of work experience in the mental health field.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Health insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Holidays
• Additional pay for after-hours on-call and call-out pay.