COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER -

Department: Case Management - UPC | FTE: 1.00 Full Time | Shift: Days

About the Role

Coordinate and provide services and resources to individuals and families to promote rehabilitation, recovery, and resiliency. Identify and address strengths that aid in the recovery process, as well as barriers that could impede skill development for independent community functioning. Support individuals and families in crisis, providing personalized interventions to enhance decision-making abilities. Work with diverse patient populations, including children at risk of or experiencing serious emotional, neurobiological, or behavioral disorders; adults with severe mental illness (SMI); individuals with chronic substance abuse; and those with co-occurring disorders. Ensure adherence to hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Patient care assignments may include neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups.

Responsibilities

• Patient-Centered Care: Adhere to and promote the core expectations of the Patient Centered Medical Home or Patient Centered Specialty Practice.
• Navigation/Patient Advocacy: Eliminate barriers to culturally competent medical services. Assist patients in accessing community resources, financial assistance programs, and needed services.
• Collaboration: Work with medical providers, multidisciplinary team members, and community resource providers to meet treatment goals.
• Life Skills Development: Facilitate skill-building in activities of daily living, interpersonal coping, socialization, and community functioning. Adapt interventions to home, school, work, recreational, and social environments. Teach proactive self-care, nutrition, and money management.
• Professional Development: Plan for growth based on self-assessment, evaluation, and feedback. Acquire knowledge and experiences to meet professional goals.
• Wellness and Recovery: Provide information on mental health conditions, serve as a mentor to promote recovery and resiliency, and teach symptom monitoring, management, and relapse prevention. Educate individuals about their illnesses, medications, side effects, and self-motivational skills for medication adherence.
• Service Plans: Assist in developing and coordinating individualized service plans based on strengths and goals, including recovery/resiliency management, crisis management, and advanced directives for behavioral healthcare.
• Resource Coordination: Help clients access and coordinate rehabilitative, medical, and other services, including financial and medical benefits, housing, and support for those involved in the judicial system.
• Support Services: Encourage the development of natural supports in workplace, school, family, and community environments.
• Assessment: Work with individuals and families to identify strengths, needs, and barriers to goals. Conduct ongoing assessments to ensure services meet needs.
• Crisis Intervention: Assess, support, and intervene in crises. Facilitate crisis management plans, recognize early signs of relapse, and promote alternatives to emergency or inpatient services.
• Tracking and Documentation: Coordinate and monitor service use, track client activities in relation to care plans, and conduct post-discharge follow-ups. Document all client encounters, complete billing documentation, and maintain comprehensive client files.
• Statistics: Maintain and report applicable statistics regarding programs and client services.
• Patient Safety:
  • Follow safety-related policies, procedures, and protocols.
  • Demonstrate a proactive approach to improving patient safety by questioning current policies and processes.
  • Identify and report or correct environmental risks.
  • Report patient safety concerns, medical errors, or near misses in a timely manner.
  • Encourage patients to actively participate in their care by asking questions and reporting concerns.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
• Experience: 1 year of directly related experience. Related education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Credentials:
  • CPR for Healthcare/BLS Provider or Professional Rescuers (within 30 days of hire).
  • Valid New Mexico Driver’s License.
  • UNM Vehicle Operator’s Permit (within 60 days of hire).
  • Preferred: Certified Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, or LASI eligible.
• Language Skills: Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish, Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Zuni, or Navajo are a plus.
• Physical Conditions: Light work involving exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently. May require walking, standing, or sitting for extended periods, including pushing/pulling arm or leg controls. Working conditions may involve minor hazards, such as exposure to dirt, dust, fumes, or noise.
• Tuberculosis testing completed upon hire and as required.
• Subject to random alcohol and substance testing.

Pay

Shift differentials: 17% for Weekday Nights, 26% for Weekend Nights, and 15% for Weekend Days.