Community Support Specialist (Behavioral Health)

McClendon Center; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer paid health insurance

Dental & wellness benefits

403(b) retirement contributions

Tuition stipend

Job summary

McClendon Center is seeking a Community Support Specialist (Behavioral Health) in Washington, DC. This full-time role supports individuals with mental health needs, coordinating assessments, service plans, crisis support, benefits access, housing navigation, and community integration.

The position emphasizes collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team, ethical practice, and excellent documentation. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are provided, along with technology tools and

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• 1–4 years experience in a social services or nonprofit environment.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provides ongoing assessment of consumers’ wants and develops service plans and reviews every 180 days.
• Assist consumers in crisis situations and accessing benefits.
• Help consumers locate housing and community resources; accompany to important appointments.
• Support consumer transportation and manage symptom self-management and medication adherence.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards; document services and write progress notes daily.

Skills

Team coordination

Strong communicator

Ethical practice

Written & verbal comms

MS Office skills

EMR data entry

Adult mental health

Confidentiality

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Community Support Specialist (Behavioral Health)

Full-time

McClendon Center, founded in 1980, is a certified community-based service provider operating under the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health. As a leading not‑for‑profit organization in Washington, DC, McClendon Center provides outpatient behavioral rehabilitation to the mentally ill by fostering creativity, promoting friendship, instilling independence, and providing an outlet for emotional growth and greater participation in the community.

McClendon Center operates programs in two locations, a day program near Metro Center Metro and an outpatient service clinic in the Farragut North Metro Station section of DC. The Center has revenues of approximately $9 million, with contracts from the Department of Behavioral Health, three Managed Medicaid Organizations, and grants from various foundations.

McClendon Center is a respected and highly rated agency in the District of Columbia. The Center was the first independent mental health agency in the District to be accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

Principal Accountabilities

• Provides ongoing assessment of consumers’ wants and clearly identified needs, and facilitates the development and updating of the service plan and assessment and diagnostic review every 180 days with no gaps between plans.
• Assist and supports consumers in crisis situations.
• Assist consumers in applying for all benefits and entitlements, such as SSI, Medicaid, Section 8, energy assistance, and other eligible services.
• Assists consumers in locating and utilizing community resources, such as AA, self‑help groups and recreational centers.
• Locate safe, sanitary and affordable housing for consumers that is appropriate for the level of care needed and provide support during transition from different types of housing.
• Accompany consumers to critical services when necessary, especially medication appointments and Center psychiatric appointments.
• Teach consumers to utilize public transportation and to apply for any reduced fares.
• Assist consumers in symptom self-management, monitor consumers’ compliance with medication, and any response, side effects, or medication problems.
• Assist consumers in accessing health‑related services as needed.
• Provide education, support and consultation to consumers’ families and support system as appropriate.
• Documents all services provided by billing and writing progress notes no later than 11:59pm on the next business day following the date of service.
• Reviews and updates assessment and diagnostic review and treatment plans (must obtain a client signature) every 180 days with no gaps between plans.
• Reports and maintains all consumer related correspondence and activities as they occur.
• Complete crisis plans and DLA-20 assessment with the consumer every 180 days.
• Obtain a signed Consumer Choice Form every 90 days.
• Provide external monitoring and support when consumers are engaged in services with other agencies.
• Participates in the on‑call system that will respond to consumers after hours, during holidays, and on weekends.
• Provide advocacy and support for consumers as they navigate social, governmental and community systems.
• Participate in staff meetings, case conferences and training sessions as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with all collateral agencies demonstrating positive interaction.
• From the beginning of the eight week of employment, bills an average of 5.00hours per day for each day worked; productivity is calculated and reported weekly. Productivity will be offset by any approved absences from work. A monthly bonus is available if certain standards are met.
• Maintain the confidentiality of consumers at all times and operates within the Code of Ethics of the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.
• Develop familiarity with Joint Commission, Medicaid and Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) standards and compliance requirements, and assists as needed in maintaining Joint Commission accreditation, Medicaid compliance and DBH.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma required.
• One (1) to four (4) years of experience in a social services or nonprofit environment. Experience in a mental health or similar agency is highly desired.
• Ability to work flexible hours as required, including evenings and weekends.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills Requirements

• Ability to coordinate with a multi‑disciplinary team within an outpatient mental health agency.
• A superior communicator, who shares information readily and concisely, listens as well as gives advice, and respects the abilities of others.
• Knowledge of sound ethical practices and principles related to the care of mental health consumers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, to include operating Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Knowledge and ability to navigate an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), including data entry.
• Ability to relate to adults diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness, using knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories related to mental health and mental illness.
• Ability to perform amicably in an environment serving the seriously and persistently mentally ill adult population.
• Ability to respect and uphold client confidentiality.
• Ability to exhibit a high level of organizational skills and able to prioritize and multi‑task without direct supervision.

At McClendon Center you will find powerful resources for career‑long success, including:

• A competitive starting base salary of $43,000- $50,500annually based on relevant work experience (community mental health).
• Professional support and career development.
• A package of comprehensive benefits including 100% employer paid health, dental and wellness, AFLAC supplemental benefits, four weeks of combined sick and vacation leave, 403(b) retirement employer contributions, Incentive programs, Tuition stipend, Public Service Loan Forgivenesseligibility, life insurance, EAP (Employee Assistance Program).
• The latest technology and work tools including a laptop and iPhone.

McClendon Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, marital status, religion, or disability.

No phone calls, please. Note: McClendon Center is not accepting resumes or referrals from agencies. If you are a recruiter, search firm, or employment agency, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if McClendon Center hires the candidate.

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