Description

Department: Community Based Services (CBS) Job Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Hourly Reports to: IPS Supervisor

Positions Supervised: None

Amount of Travel Required: 65% Plus

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Position Summary

Carries out the services of the IPS (Individual Placement & Support) supported employment program by

assisting clients to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have disabilities.
• Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities. Refers clients to benefits counseling, as needed. Helps clients report earnings, as needed.
• Assesses clients’ vocational functioning on ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences. With the client's permission, provides education and support to family members. Discusses client's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
• Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Writes job support plans with clients incorporating input from the mental health team. Adjusts plan according to the clients' needs and preferences.
• Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact by the IPS specialist with the employer.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
• Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner. For example, returns client phone calls within 24 hours. Goes to see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours. Follows up on job leads within 48 hours. Meets with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts.
• Participates in weekly meeting with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
• Participates in face-to-face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients.
• Develops an individual employment (and/or education) plan with clients. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with permission.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets clients at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, VR office, family home, etc., or takes clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc.
• Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
• Responsible for a minimum of 15 job starts per year or maintaining 15 job starts within a 90-day period.
• Responsible for IPS fidelity client employment measures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Licensure:

• Education and experience equivalent to undergraduate degree in mental health, social services, or business.

Experience:

• A minimum of 1 years’ experience working with people with severe mental illness.
• Prefer a minimum of 1 years’ experience providing employment services.
• A knowledge of the work world.
• Ability to work as an effective team player is essential.
• Reliable transportation and clean driving record.

• Demonstrated use of electronic medical record software through timely and accurate clinical documentation within 6 months of employment is required.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills in working with diverse publics.
• Flexibility in assigned working hours.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary and community mental health center/Health Home approaches.
• Energetic and positive approach to the rapidly evolving changes and challenges of a complex work place.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Effective communication skills (verbal and written)
• Customer focused (internal and external)
• Leadership
• Excellent listening skills
• Accountability
• Reliability
• Trust/Integrity
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Time Management
• Organizational Skills
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite with ability to learn other software programs as necessary
• Relationship building
• Problem Solving
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work
• Collaboration