Community Support Specialist - I-ACE Team

Responsibilities

• Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) such as personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, and nutrition needs; monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.
• Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery, including medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, and stress management strategies.
• Plans and facilitates community-based activities (e.g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization) and facilitates access to community resources (e.g., AA/NA meetings, school, job placement).
• Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques.
• Serves as an “ambassador” of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and SCS’s services and programming.
• Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served (e.g., school, landlord, family, transportation provider, employer).
• Provides transportation (e.g., driving SCS van or personal vehicle), ensuring adherence to standard safety practices (e.g., driver certification, seat belts, child safety seats); teaches and facilitates use of public transportation systems.
• Provides personal care as needed (e.g., personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, safe eating techniques).
• Administers First Aid and CPR as needed.
• Supervises self-administered medication or administers medication, depending on the specific clinical program’s protocols, serving as the program’s “point person” for supervised self-administered medication (SSAM).
• Identifies assigned clients’ food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.
• Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services with other SCS staff members and, as authorized, with non-SCS providers to ensure appropriate level and quality of care.
• May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program (e.g., Clubhouse food program, admissions at Crisis Stabilization Unit).
• May provide limited on-the-job training to Community Support Providers, including answering questions, offering opportunities to shadow and observe, and explaining basic information about the site’s programming.
• Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law.
• Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.
• Maintains and enhances skills for working with clients.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of all required trainings within 6 months of hire date.
• Successfully complete, within six months of hire, the department-led or approved training program per Medicaid regulations.
• One year of full-time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of mental health or co-occurring disorders.
• Formal documentation by supervisor of ability to function independently as a direct support professional and of proficiency in providing direct support services.
• Ability to provide caring, nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities, including those who are medically fragile, have intense behavioral needs, or pose a high level of risk due to complex treatment/service needs or diagnostic profiles.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
• Teaching skills, patience, and empathy.
• Maturity and judgment.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance.
• Positive driving record.

Physical Demands

• Position involves considerable physical exertion, lifting a maximum of 100 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May include frequent lifting of patients.

Time Type: Full time