Supported Employment Specialist
Full-Time
Baltimore, MD
Come elevate your skills and experience by working with a world class 800-bed, Magnet designated Academic Medical Center. 
We are looking for talented professionals to join our team at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

As a Team Member at UMMC, you’ll experience:

• A supportive and collaborative work environment
• A comprehensive benefits package including health, vision and dental coverage including prescription drug coverage, Tax-Free Savings Plans and more!
• A highly competitive wage scale: Annual merit increases and a base wage scale that is measured against to market standards.
• Generous tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 per year for your graduate degree.

 Located in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards, you won’t find a more vibrant place to work! 

General Summary
Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, -the Employment Specialist will provide vocational rehabilitation for people with serious mental illnesses that emphasizes helping them obtain competitive work in the community and providing the supports necessary to ensure their success in the workplace. SE will help consumers find jobs that pay competitive wages in integrated settings (i.e., with other people who don’t necessarily have disabilities) in the community.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Performs supported employment services for clients in the community in accordance with departmental procedures and in line with the State of Maryland EBP certification requirements.

• Engages consumers and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in integrated job settings
• Uses motivational interviewing and counseling skills to assist consumers to develop individual employment goals by exploring their own interests defining potential work experience that is consistent with their recovery goals.
• Develops Individual Vocational Plans (IVPs) every six months that include consumer focused, consumer determined SMART goals (six months), short term objectives, and on-site and off-site employment specialist services. Team involvement in plan development including case manager, individual therapist and other important members of the consumer’s network.
• Following SE principles and procedures, helps consumers in job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are consistent with consumers’ needs and interests
• Provides individualized, time-unlimited, follow-along services to help consumers sustain employment
• Based on agreement with consumers, provides education and support to employers, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with employers
• Once actively employed, assesses consumers’ vocational functioning on ongoing basis, preferably through job visits and interactions with employer given consumer permission.
• Provides outreach services to consumers, as necessary, when they appear to disengage from SE services. If necessary, maintains some contact with consumers even without a vocational focus to sustain engagement
• Meets regularly with treatment team members to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment
• Spends at least 60 percent of direct service time in the community to engage and support consumers, family members, and employers

2. Job Development is performed and begins as soon as the client expresses a desire to work. Develops activities that integrate the client with non-psychiatrically disabled co-workers, such as, company sponsored recreational activities, job fairs

• Employer Contacts are based on consumer job preferences and jobs are developed in different settings and there are a diversity of job types.
• Individualized, follow -along supports are provided to employers and consumers on a time unlimited basis.
• Keeps in contact with employers to monitor client performance including job completion, acceptance of supervision, interaction with co-workers and attendance and punctuality.
• Conducts discussion groups for clients eager to find employment or interested in working together to discuss work issues/concerns. Provides weekly reports to Supervisor regarding attendance

3. Assists in providing outreach services that may include, phone/home visits, transportation of clients to and from program and on the job coaching/support as needed and at the consumer’s request.

4. Provides Clinical Coordination Services as defined by the EBP guidelines to integrate supported employment efforts with the mental health treatment.

5. Completes all daily visit, monthly summary and semi-annual documentation as required by EBP and program guidelines. 

THE MEDICAL HEART OF MARYLAND

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Treating over 330,000 patients every year, the University of Maryland Medical Center is at the vital core of Maryland’s health care system and community. We’re known for our prestigious expertise in innovative research and education, along with the talented staff and advanced centers that make it all possible. The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the world’s first center dedicated to trauma, treats more than 7,500 critically injured patients a year with an incredible 97 percent survival rate. We also have one of the nation’s largest kidney and pancreas transplant programs at The Joseph and Corinne Schwartz Division of Transplantation, home to Maryland’s first steroid-free protocol and pancreas/kidney transplant. From our National Cancer Institute-designated UM Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center to The University of Maryland’s Children’s Hospital, one of the largest pediatric centers in the state, we are dedicated to saving and transforming lives.

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s Degree in mental health or social services, business, personnel management, or vocational services is required or equivalent combinations of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities have been acquired. Experience working with people with serious mental illnesses, experience with vocational services and knowledge of the work world are preferred.
2. Two years professional experience performing counseling, crisis intervention, or equivalent related experience in human services, marketing, public relations or business, is required.
3. Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs and general knowledge and experience in job development/experience is preferred.
4. Possession or access to an automobile along with Maryland state driver’s license is required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of emotional factors and their impact on vocational behavior and the labor market.
2. General knowledge of personal computer in order to enter data on vocational services provided and generate reports from existing software programs and to complete documentation in the electronic medical record
3. Knowledge of counseling skills, job market, and clinical, social and emotional factors of mental illness that may influence employment success .
4. Ability to work as an effective team player is required.
5. Ability to provide strong advocacy for persons facing challenges in the work force is required.
6. Effective verbal, written communication, listening and interpersonal skills are necessary to work with clients, employers, case managers, therapists and psychiatrists.
7. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the client populations(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the client’s requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

Patient Safety

Ensures client t safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit client safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to client safety.
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.