Employment Specialist-BX535701

Under the general supervision of the Team Leader/Program Director, and the guidelines provided by the NYS OMH for the Mental Health Comprehensive Medicaid Case Management Program (MH CMCM), functions as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team with shared caseloads, assists participating individuals who have serious and persistent mental illness in developing and maintaining viable living, working and social situations in the community by obtaining needed medical, social, psychosocial, educational, financial, vocational and other services. Has lead responsibility for integrating vocational goals and services with the tasks of all team members. Participates in the provision of crisis intervention services to participants 24 hours a day, seven days a week

THIS IS A FIELD OPPORTUNITY

ESSENTIAL TASK:

1. Assumes lead responsibility for integrating vocational goals and services with the tasks of all team members. within the multi-disciplinary team in providing comprehensive .services to adults with serious and persistent mental illness, who may also have a co-occurring substance abuse or other disorder, within the context of a 68-person-caseload ACT Team.
2. Provides vocational assessment for assigned individuals, and engages recipient in job exploration based on recipient’s interest and strengths.
3. Engages in activities designed to develop client’s skills related to choosing, securing, and maintaining employment.
4. Provides counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, case management and support services in the community (homes, shelters, street), as part of a mobile multi-disciplinary team, to mentally ill individuals who have a history of decompensation and relapse as a result of poor follow through with outpatient treatment.
5. Assists consumers in attaining or maintaining housing, employment, functional social relationships, and relief from psychiatric symptoms and side effects through medication management support.
6. Assertive engagement and provision of mental health services in the community where the service population lives – up to 80% of weekly work schedule may involve fieldwork.
7. Continuous responsibility (24-hour) for people enrolled in the ACT Team caseload.
8. Provide all services in a culturally relevant and competent manner.
9. Maintain accurate and up-to-date Case Records, including but not limited to progress notes, service plan and service plan reviews, assessments and contact logs within keeping of all-applicable OMH, Medicaid, and ICL Regulations and Guidelines.
10. Provide support and psychoeducation to family members, friends and other collateral individuals.
11. Provide referrals and engagement support for services not directly provided by ACT Team, e.g., medical services, participation in psychosocial clubhouses and self-help groups, vocational training and placement, etc.
12. Provide accurate and timely reports, within federal, state, and city regulatory and agency confidentiality guidelines, to other providers and agencies, e.g. housing, vocational, criminal justice, child welfare, etc.
13. Participates in individual and group supervision, treatment team meetings, case conferences, in-service training and other staff development activities as assigned.
14. Observes all ICL, OMH, and all other applicable rules, procedures or laws regarding the reporting of incidents, including the reporting of alleged child abuse and neglect.
15. Perform other related duties as required and assigned by the Team Leader/Program Director.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s Degree in one of the following disciplines recognized by the New York State Office of Mental Health as qualifying a staff person to be counted as professional clinical staff: Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, Creative Arts Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation. A minimum of one year of training/experience in job finding, employment counseling, or vocational rehabilitation. Professional license in appropriate field issued by NYS Education Department strongly preferred. Must demonstrate competency in:

• Knowledge of models of supported employment
• Vocational assessment
• Job exploration and matching to recipient’s interest and strengths
• Skills development related to choosing, securing, and maintaining employment.