POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Clinical Care Specialist is responsible for the assessment, planningand coordination of services for residents of the Personal Care Home. Duties include the following: conducting residentassessments, developing and implementing comprehensive support plans, coordinatingtreatment and rehabilitation services as indicated, and providing supportivecounseling and skills teaching based on each resident's individualized plan. The incumbent will co-facilitatemultidisciplinary team meetings with the Program Supervisor or Director inorder to utilize and incorporate the skills, clinical judgment and input ofeach member of the team when developing new or modified support plans. The incumbent will maintain a focus on mentalhealth recovery principles and practices in the course of creating andimplementing therapeutic interventions. Crisis management and resolution arealso important functions of this position. Finally, the Clinical Care Specialist will establish and maintainpositive and productive relationships with the clients served and theirfamilies as well as internal and external service providers.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Accountability- Takes on assignments and accepts responsibility for outcomes; acts with good judgment and sound thinking; holds other accountable for their decisions and actions as warranted; complies with agency standards, policies and relevant government regulations.
2. Team Orientation- Successful in creating and promoting the cooperative effort among team members in order to identify and achieve common goals; promotes camaraderie; actively participates in conversations and activities that enhance morale and strengthen cohesiveness.
3. Integrity- Work is ethical, reliable, productive and effective; conversations and actions reflect the organization's mission and vision in a positive light and promote a favorable community perception; interactions are based on honesty and mutual respect.
4. Customer Satisfaction and Quality Services- Primary customers and secondary stakeholders report a high level of satisfaction with services; assures that the most effective services are provided in a respectful professional manner; actively seeks solutions to customer complaints, concerns, inquiries, etc.
5. Compassion- Demonstrates acceptance, respect and empathic understanding to all individuals touched by the organization (i.e., clients, colleagues, external customers); conveys hope and belief that people are not defined or limited by their disability.
6. Diversity- Uses awareness of cultural values and biases to work effectively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds; demonstrates respect for individual differences; where appropriate, recruits/promotes/mentors persons with diverse cultural backgrounds to create a more diverse workforce.
7. Continuous Learning- Strives for self-improvement through continuing education; motivated to learn new things to benefit customers and the organization; shares knowledge and information with others.
8. Communication- Demonstrates effective written and verbal skills in interactions with clients, peers, supervisors, subordinates and external customers; promptly responds to requests, questions and concerns; maintains confidentiality in compliance with all policies and regulations.
9. Safety- Operates vehicles and other equipment safely; adheres to safety protocols; reports hazards and risks; behavior contributes to a safe and secure working environment.
10. Computer Literacy- Uses available information technology to efficiently record or analyze data and to communicate information; demonstrates proficiency in use of licensed software programs.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

1. Clinical Knowledge & Skill ? Demonstrates working knowledge of recovery-oriented interventions and therapeutic approaches, psychiatric rehabilitation principles, case management activities and other best practice guidelines adopted by the organization to provide clinically sound interventions for PCH residents; models effective interventions and communication for team members.
2. Assessment & Planning ? Demonstrates ability to conduct thorough, detailed assessments with clients to determine their needs for treatment, rehabilitation and/or support; develops comprehensive support plans based on each individual's assessed need; works closely with other team members to ensure that therapeutic interventions are provided according to the resident's support plan; co-facilitates multi-disciplinary team meetings to gather and incorporate the input of each team member when developing new or modified support plans.
3. Care Coordination ? Establishes effective method for tracking and monitoring client participation in therapeutic activities to promote positive treatment outcomes; provides constructive consultation with and input to clinical team for support plan implementation and resource coordination; provides guidance, makes appropriate referrals and conducts follow up for clients in need of additional services.
4. Facilitation of Therapeutic Sessions ? Demonstrates ability to effectively facilitate therapeutic and psychoeducational groups and/or individual sessions with clients to assist them in maintaining their mental health stability, improve symptom management skills, increase contact with natural supports, and develop the skills needed to live as independently as possible; facilitates the exploration of other mental health issues in a safe and supportive environment.
5. Liaison ? Establishes and maintains relationships, communication and a collaborative approach with other services and providers both internal and external to the organization to ensure continuity of care, resource coordination and effectiveness of recovery-focused services and supports; maintains positive relationships and communication with families and/or significant others; serves as the organization's representative for participating in community team meetings for new clients as well as discharge planning meetings for residents being discharged from inpatient care.
6. Crisis Management ? Demonstrates ability to recognize and manage client crisis situations effectively; knows how to access crisis services utilizing supervisory guidance as needed; responds professionally and effectively to crises as they present in the unit or in the community.
7. Documentation- Demonstrates effective management of documentation responsibilities by maintaining accurate records of all interactions with clients, other providers, vendors and representatives from external organizations; adheres to documentation guidelines as established by regulatory bodies and internal policies.
8. Performs All Other Duties as Assigned

POPULATION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

1. Uses age appropriate and recovery focused language when speaking and interacting with children, adolescents, adults and seniors with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.
2. Demonstrates necessary knowledge of laws relating to mandated reporting of suspected child abuse and exploitation of adolescents, adults and seniors with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION LEVEL OF ACCESS:

MH Data Access Requirements Model ? Counselor

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's level degree and 2 years' experience or equivalent education and experience, as determined by agency standards and guidelines of position.
2. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, organizational skills and the ability to work effectively with a team.
3. Strong clinical skills with working knowledge of mental health system, recovery-oriented approaches and psychiatric rehabilitation principles.
4. Ability to work effectively with persons with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities and develop comprehensive support plans for their program participation.
5. Act 31/33/34 Clearance and FBI Criminal Background Check.
6. Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle during scheduled work hours.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

All staff arerequired to participate in ongoing mandatory training while employed. Training requirements are detailed in theTraining Matrix which is maintained by the Professional DevelopmentDepartment. Along with their supervisor,each staff person is responsible for reviewing the Training Matrix to determineindividual training requirements and completing those requirements in a timelymanner.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Minimal, physicalexertion required. Job primarily consists of sedentary office work and verbalcommunication with co-workers and clients. Care should be taken to avoidrepetitive motion injuries such as those experienced with extended computerkeyboard use. Local travel requires theoperation of an automobile.

EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able towork sometimes under stressful situations brought on by deadlines. Must be ableto work in an environment in which contact with persons with mental illness ormental retardation is a certainty. The nature of this position may bring theincumbent in contact with persons with communicable diseases, or put theincumbent in situations where communicable diseases are present.

PROBATION EXPECTATIONS:

The first 975hours of employment is a formal probationary period. This is a time in whichthe immediate supervisor and other administrators make a determination as towhether the newly hired employee is appropriate for this position.Appropriateness is based on job skill, job knowledge, demeanor, ability to workas a team member, and output.

CUSTOMERS SERVED:

Incumbents in thisposition should consider the following as "customers": Consumers of servicesin the mental health programs; program supervisors; outside vendors, SBH administration, SBHBoard of Directors and SBH fundingsources.

ON THE JOB HAZARDS:

This position willrequire travel by motor vehicle. All dangers inherent in driving or riding in amotor vehicle are present. Exposure to commercial cleaning agents is likely.MSDS training is required. The nature of this position may cause contact withindividuals who are HIV positive, have hepatitis or other communicablediseases. Training in universal precautions is required. Exposure to second hand smoke is likely.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS:

A pre-employmentphysical check-up is required. Then, employee physical checkups are requiredevery two years.