What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assessment Specialist-Intermittent position at Community Mental Health for Central Michigan?
LOCATION
This position may be performed 100% remote or out of one of the six offices. This individual in this role will complete assessments for individuals in all of our six counties: Isabella, Clare, Gladwin, Midland, Mecosta, and Osceola but do not have to travel to each county.
SCHEDULE
Intermittent, on-call position with no guaranteed hours. Employees may work up to 20 hours per week based on the needs of the agency. Shifts requiring coverage may occur on Mondays between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm and Tuesday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. May also be required to complete assessments after regular business hours on Mondays between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm as needed. Further details regarding scheduling will be discussed during the interview process.
SUMMARY
General Description: Responsible for providing a wide range of mental health services to facilitate individual psychosocial adjustment for people with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities and substance abuse to ensure meaningful participation in community life.
Responsibilities and Duties: Responsible for the evaluation and diagnoses of recipients. Performs psychological testing (psychologist only). Completes psychosocial assessments on individuals who exhibit symptoms of Serious and Persistent Mental Illness, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders, and children/youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance. Provides crisis intervention at appropriate settings. Provides internal and external consultation and referral and treatment coordination as appropriate. Conducts outreach to consumers who have stopped engaging in the intake process. Completes discharge planning functions including: complete the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale for all consumers that are discharging from a psychiatric or crisis unit in collaboration with the unit to prevent duplication of effort. Completes or updates the safety plan, provides counseling on lethal means and coordination with families/natural supports on role for safety plan and also restriction of means. Meets with unopened consumers within 24 hours of discharge to ensure that the person has completed an assessment and completes short-term therapy if needed. Provides consultation and coordination of services with other community agencies. May assist with public relation functions, when requested, which may include educational and training presentations. Completes all necessary documentation in a timely manner and prepares internal and external reports as needed. Stays current with professional credentialing and knowledge base with the scope of practice. Participates in staff meeting, committees and professional development activities.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this title. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified. They are not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of supervisors to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. The above statements will also incorporate knowledge about and actively support: 1) culturally competent recovery-based practices, 2) person-centered planning, and 3) a trauma informed culture of safety to aid consumers in the recovery process as applicable to the work performed.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
General Education
College: Master's Degree
Major: Social Work, Counseling or Clinical/Counseling Psychology
Courses: Clinical areas, professional ethics.
Training: Cognitive Behavior Treatment, Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Informed Care training preferred.
Job-Related Experience: Sufficient experience to perform the position at a satisfactory level required. Experience with relevant population in a community mental health setting preferred.
Licenses and Certifications: Michigan state licensure. Valid driver's license while operating vehicle on agency business.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Knowledge: Knowledge of community resources and systems, family dynamics and various procedures in petitioning for guardianship and commitment to psychiatric hospitals. Knowledge of various programs in the areas of health, mental health and social welfare. Knowledge of theoretical basis of social work as practiced in community mental health. Knowledge of the characteristics and social aspects of mental health and emotional disturbances, developmental disabilities, psychopathology, family dynamics, social problems, community resources and interventions.
Skills: Provides various modes of treatment to individuals, groups and families. Keeps abreast of current research literature and applies to practical situations with recipients. Computer experience with windows environment to include clinical software. Telephone and communication skills.
Abilities: Excellent ability to communicate both verbally and in writing. Good ability to gather, record and evaluate information; assess the needs of the recipient and formulate treatment plans. Complete reports and reviews; provide quality individual and group therapy; do play therapy. Develop clear and precise case studies to relate to and establish rapport with a wide range of people and recipients. Ability to work with individuals, families, groups, and jail diversion programs and consult with other community agencies.
Physical Demands: Work is generally sedentary. Some travel is necessary.
Work Environment: Work is performed in a typical office setting, residences or other community settings and may involve dealing with people under very trying or difficult circumstances.