Behavioral Health ACT Employment and Education Specialist

Summary

Full time community based employment assisting patients in our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) to achieve recovery goals related to skills building, education and employment. Utilizes motivational interviewing skills to assess and identify patient's work and/or education goals, consistently articulates economic, medical and social benefits associated with those goals. Teaches skills related to independent living and employment goals. Provides case management, helps access job trainings that are available and is a liaison between patient and employer. Develops relationships with local businesses through systematic job development and education on ACT Team support with employment placements. Weekly work hours and pay are not dependent on billable hours and are not dependent on grant funding. 40-hour work week with on-call, weekend/holiday hours that are shared with other team members. Requires working with patients both in the office and in the community. May provide cross-training to ACT team members as appropriate to the position.

Pay

• $22.50 - $24.75 DOE
• Employee's can earn up to $520 on the quarterly bonus

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor's degree in human services field
• 1 year experience as vocational specialist or CBRS worker is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Experience working with people who have a Severe Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI)
• Able to use motivational interviewing skills with a diverse group of people
• Able to use computers proficiently; electronic charting in FHS' electronic health record will be required
• Competent in establishing supportive, trusting relationships with people diagnosed with SPMI
• Respect for patient rights and preferences in treatment
• Ability to organize work both in the office and community
• Ability to work with clients with limited English proficiency, including interpretation services when needed
• Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action
• Ability to take initiative, problem solve and effectively multi-task
• Knowledge of community and vocational services
• Model and practice interpersonal and communication skills, active listening, recovery-oriented living skills and self-help strategies with individuals and groups
• Maintain good working relationships and collaboration with local employers
• The ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to communicate with ACT team when patient shows risks of being in crisis
• Ability to follow crisis response protocols as it applies to the position
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse multidisciplinary team
• Function independently while maintaining flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with patients, staff, and community agencies
• Job requires driving to different locations to provide services

Description of Duties

• Assist patients in identifying their own unique strengths, abilities, and assets, and using them to promote recovery and resiliency as it pertains to vocational and independent living goals
• Provide engagement, vocational assessment, job development, job placement, job coaching and follow-along supports in the employment setting
• Educate ACT patients on disability benefits programs as it applies to the patient's needs and goals
• Provides vocational related assessments that include areas such as work/education history, strengths, interests and barriers
• Develop relationships with local businesses through systematic job development, educating businesses about services that the employment specialist provides
• As appropriate, consult with other ACT team members in helping the patient achieve their vocational goals
• Refer patients to appropriate social service agencies for financial assistance and other required services, assisting them in accessing these services
• Provides case management to assist patients in identifying and engaging with various community resources and supports
• Assist patients in building life skills and overcoming barriers to maintaining independence, help patients practice skill building
• Establish and maintain case files, referrals, and other related documents
• May provide formal teaching, consultation, and in-service training to relevant professionals, while ensuring proper handling of a variety of matters
• Participate in regular supervision meetings with direct supervisor
• May plan and implement outreach and education programs, workshops, and activities
• May supervise activities of support staff members and interns for identified program
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned