Description

Position: Mental Health Professional (MHP)

Reports to: The Mental Health Program Director

Program/Department: Mental Health

Rincon Family Services (RFS) is a not-for-profit community organization, established in 1972 to combat the epidemic use of heroin and violence that were dismantling communities throughout Chicago. RFS is dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs that promote the quality of life by serving as a catalyst to advocate, educate, and empower individuals and their families.

POSITION SUMMARY: The MHP works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing therapeutic and rehabilitative services, counseling, case management and integrated dual diagnosis treatment. The team works to address all treatment needs, including crisis management, substance abuse treatment, medication management, physical health treatment, mental health treatment, accessing benefits and entitlements, and other supportive services.

RESPONSIBILITY: Under the direct supervision of the Mental Health Program Coordinator and the LPHAs, the MHP carries responsibility to provide and coordinate assessment, case management, counseling and community support. They are to assist with the coordination of the transfer of assessed referrals to other clinicians, while they maintain connection to the clients and the development, implementation and revision of the client needs and services. MHPs are also responsible for other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The MHP must demonstrate the ability to perform the following:

1. Effectively use written, verbal, and non-verbal communication to communicate ideas to supervisor and other peers and clients.

2. Maintain a positive and productive work environment for clients.

3. Conflict resolution and problem solving skills. Recognize and distinguish between productive and non-productive conflict and appropriately use effective conflict resolution techniques to respond to problems, conflicts and grievances.

4. Case Management/ Service Planning skills. Develop problem and goal lists and aftercare plans: prioritize problems and plans appropriate methods of addressing problems, make appropriate referrals.

5. Individual service: Develop therapeutic relationships with clients and use communication skills to engage them in planning and following up: identify obstacles to recommendations and minimize their impact.

6. Crisis intervention: Identify potential conflicts and implement crisis intervention techniques to prevent or intervene in potential crisis situations.

7. Documentation and writing: Use clinically appropriate professional terminology to complete forms and records, accurately documenting client session, planning, and progress.

8. Maintain client records, through both paper files and transitioning to electronic medical record. Must meet documentation standards as required by program and funding sources, including documentation of clinical interactions, behavioral health assessments & individual service plans.

9. Provide billing and clinical service reports as requested, with a minimum of weekly reports being required.

10. Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations.

11. Develop and maintain a community referral binder with the contact information of community-based organizations.

12. Attend all required meetings, committees, and trainings according to program standards.

13. Participate in QI process.

14. Participate in regular supervision from an RFS LPHA, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary. Minimum requirement is two hours of documented supervision per month.

15. Provide coordination and linkage with community agencies.

16. Perform other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

1. Good listening, communication and case management skills. Able to tailor communication styles to make the client feel comfortable.

2. Ability to engage clients in a clinically and respectful manner.

3. Initiative and big-picture thinking.

4. Case management and planning skills.

5. Understanding of legal issues of this population.

6. Understanding of addiction issues of this population.

7. Understanding of mental illness issues of this population.

8. Understanding of internal and external medical and supportive services.

9. Cultural competence and sensitivity.

10. Fast, accurate documentation skills.

11. Effective oral and written communication skills.

OTHER REQUIRED ABILITIES:

1. Fluent in Spanish, bicultural applicants strongly preferred.

2. Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.

3. Desire to learn new skills.

4. Knowledge of community and social service agencies.

5. Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.

6. Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The MHP must be able to successfully perform essential functions of this job including carry charts to and from their offices/desks, prepare for group activities that may entail moving chairs and/or tables, carrying bags/boxes of food or decorating group activity areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees are responsible for informing supervisor of any invisible disability or medical restriction that limit physical capability.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. There may be occasions that call for an employee to carry out duties at other agency offices. Traveling to and from meetings is necessary. Majority of work duties would be conducted in the field, which would require travel and having a reliable vehicle.

Qualifications