Community Support Therapist

Under the direction and supervision of the Community Support Team (CST) Director, the CST Therapist supports persons receiving services in a permanent supportive housing program coupled with a broad range of on-site and community-based services for people with mental illness and other disabilities within their community.

About the Role

The CST team is comprised of therapists who offer:

• Case management
• Individual and group therapy
• Coping and independent living skills training and coaching
• Referral, linkage, and coordination with other community-based service providers
• Facilitation of community integration
• Medication training
• Benefits counseling
• Development and strengthening of natural and/or community-based supports

Responsibilities

• Communicate agency policies, procedures, announcements, and updates during staff meetings.
• Participate in and manage resident recruitment and intake; collect all necessary clinical documentation.
• Conduct mental health needs assessments, determine diagnoses, and develop, implement, review, and revise individualized treatment plans that address housing, mental health, educational, vocational, and community support needs.
• Complete assessments such as IM+CANS, IATPs, LOCUS, DLA, etc.
• Provide individual therapy/counseling services.
• Assist people with completing benefit applications and maintaining eligibility.
• Support people during medical and psychiatric appointments.
• Teach and coach independent living skills, including healthy meal preparation, cleaning, and laundry.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Ensure timely completion of Medicaid mental health billing.
• Collaborate with Trinity staff to develop events, suggest system improvements, and identify and communicate potential problem areas to the CST Director.
• Work closely with the Property Manager to help individuals maintain stable housing.
• Professionally represent Trinity Services in the community and maintain relationships with funding sources and partner organizations.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with parents, guardians, staff, visitors, and community agencies.
• Participate in weekly team meetings, collaborating with coworkers and the supervisor.
• Travel between building locations to meet with people in their apartments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of third-wave contextual behavior therapy models.
• Strong independent decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interact tactfully with coworkers, program participants, families, visitors, and government agencies.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Trinity employees.
• Willingness to work with individuals at varying maturity levels.
• Ability to participate in specialized team meetings with persons served and their CST members.
• Ability to maintain positive staff relations and morale.
• Competence in planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and interpreting programs, goals, objectives, and policies to ensure quality care.
• Effective communication of policies, procedures, regulations, and reports to staff, participants, families, and agencies.
• Openness to new methods and principles and willingness to integrate them into current practices.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural competency, and experience working with diverse populations.
• Strong self-motivation.

Physical Demands

• Lift over 40 lbs. from floor to waist unassisted.
• Push and pull up to 75 lbs.
• Complete deep knee squats.
• Push wheelchairs weighing up to 200 lbs.
• Remain in a stationary position, standing or sitting for extended periods.
• Operate motor vehicles.
• Regularly stand, sit, talk, hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone, reach, stoop, and kneel to install equipment.
• Perform physical activities including driving, balancing, pulling, pushing, standing, climbing, grasping, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motion.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, Professional Counseling, or related field (required).
• Full licensure as LCSW or LCPC (preferred).
• Experience working with individuals with serious mental illness (preferred).
• Valid Illinois driver’s license.

Pay

$48,000-$54,000

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm with 1 evening shift per week

Location: DuPage County/Villa Park, IL