Vocational Specialist

About the role

Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services is seeking a Vocational Specialist for their PACT 7 program in Little Falls, New Jersey. The position offers a salary range of $48,000 - $54,000 annually, with a $5,000 sign-on bonus.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the frequent, on-going monitoring and assessment of the mental health status of persons served as well as related variables, including significant others, the home and the community in which the person lives
• Develops a vocational assessment, comprehensive assessment, and an individualized recovery plan, often focusing on education and employment needs of the individual
• Teaches skills to support each person’s individualized recovery journey and community integration
• Mentors individuals in job-related interests and abilities based on a complete education and work history
• Assesses and addresses behaviors that interfere with work performance, developing interventions to address these behaviors
• Supports individuals in coping with symptoms that may interfere with work performance
• Utilizes evidenced-based practices, including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral interventions, and teaching strategies
• Coordinates services with other community mental health and non-mental health providers, as well as other medical professionals
• Assesses individuals’ daily living skills and teaches necessary skills in areas like budgeting, cooking, laundry, cleaning, shopping, personal hygiene, community transportation, self-advocacy, and maintaining housing
• Supports the service recipient’s family and other members of their social network to help them manage the symptoms and related consequences of the service recipient’s illness, reduce family and social stress, and achieve wellness
• Engages in crisis intervention services, including on-the-job support and rapid response to emergencies
• Develops and implements materials and strategies for career interventions in conjunction with the team
• Identifies and develops opportunities for both paid and volunteer employment in the community
• Provides job coaching services to assist individuals in securing and maintaining employment
• Monitors medication effects and educates individuals and family/significant others about medication management
• Links individuals to entitlement benefits such as Medicaid/NJFamilyCare, unemployment, social security, rental assistance, and other public assistance
• Develops and implements WRAP and Psychiatric Advance Directives
• Provides technical assistance and education to team members in the areas of education and employment
• Provides 24-hour on-call coverage with the ability to respond immediately to individuals by phone or in person
• Responds rapidly and flexibly to crises, including accompanying individuals to local screening centers or psychiatric emergency services and remaining with them during assessments

Requirements

• Education/Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science from an accredited institution
• Experience: 2 years’ experience in vocational assessment, job preparation, or individualized job placement and/or job coaching with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness
• Driver’s License/Vehicle: Valid driver’s license required; no more than one moving violation within the past 12 months; vehicle required

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 10 paid holidays (an 11th after 2 years of employment)
• Generous vacation and sick time

Pay

$48,000 - $54,000 annually

Schedule

Tuesday-Saturday 8am-4:30pm (one late day 10:00am-6:30pm)