Community Support Associate

This is a contract position working with children and adults who need additional therapeutic type services out in the community to be able to maintain independence.

PURPOSE

Under moderate-to-general supervision—completing work independently, in accordance with instructions, policies and procedures, previous training, and accepted practices; and occasionally deviating from standard practices to develop new and improved practices—provides therapeutic supports within a positive treatment/care environment, teaching and modeling healthy behaviors, consistent with the treatment/care goals of recovery, independence, socialization, normalization, and integration within the community; and promoting satisfying, productive, and valued lives. Community support associates are expected to follow all Kentucky Regulations.

Essential Job Functions

• Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) (e. g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, nutrition needs); monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.

• Completes clinical assessment, as needed, and develops/implements individualized treatment/service objectives.

• Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery (e. g., medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, stress management strategies).

• Plans and facilitates community-based activities (e. g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization); facilitates access to community resources (e. g., AA/NA meetings, school, job placement).

• Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behavior management techniques.

• Serves as “ambassador” of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about SCS’s services and programming.

• Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served (e. g., school, landlord, family, transportation provider, employer).

• Provides transportation (e. g., driving SCS van or personal vehicle), ensuring adherence to standard safety practices (e. g., driver certification, seat belts, child safety seats); teaches and facilitates use of public transportation systems.

• Provides personal care, as needed (e. g., personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, safe eating techniques).

• Provides individualized crisis assistance, consistent with an individual's treatment/service plan (i. e, initiating Mental Inquest Warrant, facilitating care from another provider, completing suicide risk assessment).

• Administers First Aid and CPR, as needed.

• Supervises self-administered medication, serving as the program’s “point person” for supervised self-administered medication (SSAM), or administers medication, depending on the specific clinical program’s protocols.

• Identifies assigned clients’ food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.

• Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services, with other SCS staff members and, as authorized, with non-SCS providers, to ensure appropriate level and quality of care.

• May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program (e. g., Clubhouse food program, admissions at Crisis Stabilization Unit).

• Provides formal training to Community Support Providers and Community Support Specialists and/or serves as mentor or shift leader.

• Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.

• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law.

• Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and training.

• Maintains and enhances skills for working with clients.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

EDUCATION

• Regulation requirement is a high school diploma, however AACO preference is at least 60 hours of college credit.

• Successfully complete, within six months of hire, the department led or approved training program per Medicaid regulations.

• Completion of all required trainings within 6 months of hire date.

• Complete 6 hours of continued education of training per year

Experience

• One year full time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of mental health or co-occurring disorder.

• Ability to handle assignments according to instructions, appropriate paperwork, procedures, previous training, or accepted SCS practices, with limited discretion to revise existing methods or protocols or develop new ones.

• Ability to provide caring, nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities, including those who are medically fragile and/or have intense behavioral needs and/or otherwise pose a high level of risk, because of complexity of treatment/service needs and/or a complex diagnostic profile.

• Formal documentation by supervisor of ability to function independently as direct support professional and of proficiency in providing direct support services.

• Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.

• Good interpersonal skills.

• Teaching skills.

• Maturity and judgment.

Signed understanding of policy and procedure is required. Malpractice Insurance for each individual is required. Each individual will undergo Child Abuse Registry Check as well as Background Check.

Must be willing to work in the Bowling Green and Glasgow area.

Must have a high school diploma and at least 60 credit hours of college with 1 year experience working with individuals with mental health needs.

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• working with individuals with mental illness: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $20