General Workforce Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY

Based on training, experience and qualifications, the Behavioral Health Specialist may be called upon to provide one or more of the following services to children and families enrolled in the specific services.  In no situation shall a Behavioral Health Specialist provide services where he/she does not meet the minimum educational requirements and qualifications necessary to provide such services as documented. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Prevocational Services 

• Prevocational Services are individually designed to prepare a youth (age 14 or older) to engage in paid work, volunteer work or career exploration.  Prevocational Services are not job-specific, but rather are geared toward facilitating success in any work environment for youth whose disabilities do not permit them access to other prevocational services.  The service will be reflected in youth’s plan of care and must be directed to teaching skills rather than explicit employment objectives.  In addition, Prevocational Services assist with facilitating appropriate work habits, acceptable job behaviors, and learning job production requirements. 

Respite 

• This service focuses on short-term assistance and/or relief for children/youth with disabilities (developmental, physical and/or behavioral), and family/caregivers which can be provided in a planned mode or delivered in a crisis environment.  Respite workers supervise the child/youth and engage the child in activities that support his/her and or caregiver/family’s constructive interests and abilities. 
  • Planned respite services provide planned short-term relief for family/caregivers that are needed to enhance the family/caregiver’s ability to support the child/youth’s functional, mental health/substance use disorder and/or health care issues.  The service is direct care for the child/youth by staff trained to support the child/youth’s needs while providing relief from caregiver activities for the family/caregiver.  This may occur in short-term increments of time (usually during the day) or on an overnight or longer-term increment.  Planned Respite Services support the plan of care goals.  Planned Respite activities include providing supervision and recreational activities that match the child/youth’s developmental stage and continue to maintain the participant’s health and safety. 
  • Crisis Respite is a short-term care and intervention strategy for children/youth and their families as a result of a child’s mental health/substance use crisis event, medical crisis or trauma that creates a risk for an escalation of symptoms without supports and/or loss of functioning.  It may be used when acutely challenging emotional or medical crisis occur which the child/youth is unable to manage without intensive assistance and support.  The need for Crisis Respite may be identified as a result of crisis intervention or may come from referrals from the emergency room, the community, LDSS/LGU/SPOA, school, self-referrals, Care Manager referrals, or as part of a step-down plan from an inpatient setting. 

Supported Employment 

• Supported Employment provides ongoing supports to participants who, because of their disabilities, need intensive on-going support to obtain and maintain and individual job in competitive or customized employment, or self-employment, in an integrated work setting in the general workforce for which an individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by individuals without disabilities.  The outcome of this service is sustained paid employment at or above the minimum wage in an integrated setting in the general workforce, in a job that meets personal and career goals. 

Caregiver/Family Advocacy Supports and Services 

• Caregiver/Family Advocacy and Support Services enhance the child/youth’s ability, regardless of disability (developmental, physical, and/or behavioral), to function as part of a caregiver/family unit and enhance the caregiver/family’s ability to care for the child/youth in the home and/or community as well as, provides the child/youth, family, caregivers, and collateral contacts (family members, caregivers, and other stakeholders identified on the child/youth’s POC) with techniques and information not generally available so that they can better respond to the needs of the participant. These services are intended to assist the child/youth, family/caregiver, and collateral contacts in understanding and addressing the participant’s needs related to their disability(ies). These services can enhance the child/youth’s ability, regardless of disability (developmental, physical, and/or behavioral), to function as part of a caregiver/family unit and enhance the caregiver/family’s ability to care for the child/youth in the home and/or community. 

Community Habilitation 

• Habilitation services assists children/youth with developmental, medical or behavioral disabilities with the self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary for successful functioning 

Additional Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for the oversight and execution of all requirements for the program, as assigned. 
• Properly document all necessary information on each child in order to bill for services accordingly. 
• Participate in treatment team meetings to provide updates. 
• Report all Serious Reportable and Recordable Incidents to Supervisor. 
• Comply with Abbott House’s policies, procedures, and time frames for reporting, documenting, and billing. 
• Knowledge of evidence based practice and complex trauma. 
• Any other related duties as required. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. An employee in this position is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk.  The employee is occasionally required to keep balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Computer – The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programs
• Office Equipment- The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office is required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.
• Communication - The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English language
• Writing - The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Lifting - The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office may frequently lift 0-25 lbs., occasionally lift 25-50 lbs., and rarely lift over 50 lbs.
• Push/Pull - The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office may frequently push/pull 0-25 lbs. of force, occasionally push/pull 26-45 lbs. force, and rarely push/pull over 45 lbs.
• Sitting, Standing and Walking – The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office will be required to sit, stand and walk throughout the work day.
• Stooping -The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office may occasionally stoop.  This is defined as bending body downward by bending spine at the waist.
• Kneeling -The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office may occasionally kneel.  This is defined as bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s).
• Crouching - The Administrative Assistant to the Executive Office may occasionally crouch.  This is defined as bending body downward and forward by bending spine and legs.
• Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate due to talk and movement of the program participants and other co- workers.  The noise level can increase on occasion due to yelling or screaming by the participants of the programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Each service listed requires a different level of education/experience.   

• Prevocational Services requires an AA/AS plus 1 year of experience or a BA with 1 year of experience.   
• Respite Services requires a High School Diploma with experience.   
• Supported Employment Services requires an AA/AS plus 1 year of experience or a BA/BS with 1 year of experience.   
• Caregiver/Family Advocacy and Support Services requires a BA with 2 years of experience or a MA with 1 year of experience.   
• Community Habilitation requires a High School Diploma with experience.   

HOURS AND TIME OF WORK

Per-diem