Community Support Specialist

Summary Description Of Work

This position works in the Council Bluffs, Iowa, Community Support program, based out of the Peer Center. The Community Support program provides case management and supportive services to adults with a severe and persistent mental illness in the Council Bluffs community.

Responsibilities

• Builds rapport with clients to provide a supportive, recovery focused relationship to improve stability and functionality.
• Affords assistance to clients in identifying strengths, needs, and goals.
• Develops an individualized case plan in collaboration with the client.
• Maintains and evaluates progress, provides interventions and skill-building to enhance independence.
• Monitors and addresses mental health symptoms, functioning, and reality orientation.
• Provides skill-building and support in areas such as symptom management, daily living, social and interpersonal relationships, and occupational capabilities.
• Offers crisis intervention and planning to clients to assist in accessing services.
• Coordinates referrals to internal and external programs/services to meet identified client needs.
• Affords assistance in scheduling and attending appointments with service providers, medical providers, and mental health providers.
• Ensures clients obtain prescribed medications.
• Maintains comprehensive, accurate service records for all clients.
• Verifies and documents the eligibility of applicants and ensures effective communication and coordination with service providers.
• Demonstrates knowledge of current community and HFS programs and resources to meet client needs.
• Completes work in homes, homeless shelters, office space, community spaces, and other non-traditional settings.
• Ensures safety and security measures for community-based services are followed.
• Works independently, with little supervision, and as a part of a team.
• Utilizes Trauma Informed Care, Person Centered, and culturally competent principles in providing services to all clients.
• Establishes regularity and dependability in scheduling all appointments and accuracy in reports and statistics.
• Displays a courteous and caring attitude at all times to the clientele, volunteers, and visitors of the Agency.
• Abides by all specific program and Agency procedures, policies, and requirements.
• Collaborates and cooperates with program area staff, volunteers, and other Agency staff.
• Is dependable and punctual regarding scheduling and attendance.
• Evaluates program services and makes recommendations.
• Participates in internal and external training opportunities.
• Develops positive working relationships with clients, referral sources, service agencies, landlords, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Creates, maintains, and shares as appropriate a dynamic self-care plan.
• Strives to make connections between the agency and the larger community whenever possible in order to contribute to the agencys ongoing fundraising and friend-raising efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services Field
• Two years experience working with Adults Living with Mental Illness
• Valid Drivers License and acceptable driving record
• Experience in case management
• Experience working with area homeless service providers
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel

Benefits

Compensation: between $19.74 and $2354 per hour (wage is determined by total years of relevant experience)

Schedule

37.5 hours per week