Community Support Specialist - Transition Age Youth

Essential Job Functions

• Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) (e. g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, nutrition needs); monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.
• Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery (e. g., medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, stress management strategies).
• Plans and facilitates community-based activities (e. g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization); facilitates access to community resources (e. g., AA/NA meetings, school, job placement).
• Contributes to safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques.
• Serves as “ambassador” of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about 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, serving as the program’s “point person” for supervised self-administered medication (SSAM), or administers medication, depending on the specific clinical program’s protocols.
• 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.
• Makes 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.

Documentation

• Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.

Confidentiality

• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law.

Required Training

• Up to 18 months’ training, beyond high school or GED*, in direct care of individuals with disabilities.
• Successfully complete, within six months of hire, the department led or approved training program per Medicaid regulations.

Experience

• One year full time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of mental health or co-occurring disorder.
• Formal documentation by supervisor of ability to function independently as direct support professional and of proficiency in providing direct support services.

Qualifications

• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
• Patient and empathetic.
• Mature and judicious.

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.

Requirements

• 18 years of age or older.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance.
• Positive driving record.