Independent Living Specialist - BA

TASKS OF THE POSITION
•    Implements and monitors quality individual, group, and/or possibly family counseling according to specific treatment plans.
•    Serves as a liaison and client advocate with the court, funding, referring/referral agencies, schools and employers.
•    Completes all required paperwork, (e.g. updated assessments/service plans, case notes, court reports, and utilization review reports).
•    Provides face-to-face contact with assigned clients, per contract requirements.
•    Schedules, organizes and attends Family Team Meetings.
•    Participates in scheduled case conferences with collaborating agency.
•    Maintains a flexible work schedule that provides accessibility that supports the needs of the community-based environment. 
•    Provides education and support, regarding needs of clients, life skills development and possible planning families.
•    Develops and revises strategies and diverse treatment plans for assigned clients according to each client’s individual needs.
•    Participates in continuous quality improvement efforts.
•    Stays informed of current practice developments within the profession and uses educational and training opportunities to ensure continual professional competence.
•    Plans and organizes work to meet all requirements according to agency and COA standards, licensing and funding requirements.
•    Prepares for and participates in individual supervision, team meetings, and other agency meetings.
•    Works with Vista Maria programs and community agencies/resources to provide referrals, resources and related services to clients.
•    Performs all other duties as required or requested by the agency.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES 
•    Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of social work and service administration.
•    Ability to observe, recognize, analyze, and report on individual’s behavioral, attitudinal, emotional, and social problems, and the ability to develop a plan of action for resolution.
•    Ability to evaluate program quality and effectiveness as they relate to an individual’s or a group’s needs, recommending modifications when appropriate.
•    Ability to work independently in the field and to use team resources/supervision to enhance performance.
•    Ability to assess client mental health symptoms and service needs.
•    Ability to be flexible in prioritizing in a changing child welfare system.
•    Demonstrated personal integrity and professional demeanor in accordance with the ethics of the agency and profession.
•    Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills to compose and/or edit written/documented materials.
•    Knowledge of current practice developments within the profession and uses educational and training opportunities to ensure continual professional competence and growth. 
•    Ability to work cooperatively and in collaboration to establish rapport with Vista Maria staff and representatives of other agencies, planning family and schools and employers.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES (CONTINUED)
•    Demonstrated skills in organization, priority/time management, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
•    Demonstrated ability to interact positively in a culturally diverse environment and to deal effectively with various levels of Vista Maria personnel, outside customers and community groups.
•    Demonstrated computer literacy skills at least in Word programs.

SMART GOALS
1.    Maintains weekly contacts as appropriate (i.e. phone calls, meetings, letters, etc.) with schools, DHHS/CMO’s, lead agency, and mental health agency, as applicable, to insure that all youth assigned receive the level of advocacy that is required to meet the needs (socially, educationally, physically/medically, emotionally, and cognitively) of each child.  All documentation is created and filed in client file within one week.
2.    Maintains face-to-face contact with clients, per contract requirements.  Forms to be filled out are: face-to-face counseling note, first appointment of each month; mini case note for all other visits; group notes as appropriate.
3.    Provides on-going education/support/coaching to assigned youth during regular visits and document the specifics of the session.
4.    Monitors medication, as applicable, and documents in MiSACWIS and client’s file.
5.    No substantiated complaints regarding personal interactions within the agency and community.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
This job has no supervisory experience.