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

Career development

Health & dental benefits

Paid holidays

Tools provided

Job summary

McClendon Center in Washington, DC seeks a qualified care coordinator to support adults with serious mental illness. You will assess needs, update plans every 180 days, assist in crisis situations, and help clients access benefits and housing.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team, maintain confidentiality, document activities, participate in on-call shifts, and contribute to accreditation efforts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• 1–4 years of experience in a social services or nonprofit environment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Assess consumers' wants and develop/update service plans every 180 days with no gaps.
• Assist and support consumers in crisis situations.
• Assist consumers in applying for benefits (SSI, Medicaid, Section 8, energy assistance, and other eligible services).
• Locate safe, sanitary and affordable housing for consumers and support transitions.
• Accompany consumers to critical services and appointments; monitor medication adherence.
• Provide advocacy and support for consumers navigating social, governmental and community systems.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards; participate in staff meetings and training.

Skills

Social services experience

Mental health knowledge

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Excellent communication

EMR proficiency

MS Office skills

Confidentiality

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma

Experience in social services (1-4 years)

Job description

Company Description

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, 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 Healthcare Organizations.

Job Description

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 5.00 hours 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Additional Information

• A competitive starting base salary of $43,000 - $50,500 annually 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 Forgiveness eligibility, life insurance, EAP (Employee Assistance Program).
• Company paid holidays.
• The latest technology and work tools including a laptop and iPhone.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

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.

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.