Mental Health Support Specialist

GetHired, Inc.; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on Bonus

Referral Bonus

Benefits Package

PTO & Holidays

IRA

Mileage Reimbursement

EAP

Training

Job summary

GetHired, Inc. seeks a Mental Health Support Specialist to assist adults 18+ with chronic mental illness in Iowa City. The MHSS will work in Housing, Outreach, or Day Habilitation, providing coaching, counseling, and skill-building to promote independence and community integration.

Evenings and weekend shifts are required; shifts are in 4-hour blocks with a differential from 5pm Friday to 11pm Sunday. This role includes 1 full-time and 4 part-time openings in the Housing Department with

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1+ years of human service experience
• Pass multiple background checks, including dependent adult/child abuse and criminal background check and driving records check
• Maintain valid driver’s license and reliable, privately insured car
• Must be available to work a minimum of 4 hours at a time and 12 hours a week
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in a human service field

Responsibilities

• Facilitate progress toward client goals
• Provide coaching and counseling
• Develop symptom management strategies and coping skills
• Develop natural supports and encourage community integration
• Mitigate barriers and work toward independence
• Enhance quality of life
• Encourage activities of daily living
• Support organizing and adherence to schedules and routines
• Monitor physical health and encourage healthy practices
• Advocate for access to community resources
• Transport clients as needed
• Administer medications in compliance with program guidelines
• Contact clients as needed during closures or absenteeism

Skills

Active listening

Problem solving

Time management

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work/Counseling/Psychology/Sociology

Job description

The Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS) works with adult clients 18 years and older who live with chronic mental illness, supporting and empowering clients to live more independently. The MHSS works in 1 of 3 departments: Housing, Outreach, or Day Habilitation. Each department provides a unique service, and the MHSS will have additional duties assigned depending on what department they are assigned to work in. This is an hourly position with no expected overtime. Scheduled hours may vary and can include some nights and weekends. This job search is intended to fill 1 full-time and 4 part-time openings in our Housing Department. We are seeking applicants that can work evenings and weekend shifts. Shifts in Housing are scheduled in 4-hour blocks from 7am - 11pm daily. The evening shifts are considered to be 3pm-11pm, and weekends are Friday-Sunday. We offer a shift differential of an additional dollar per hour from 5pm Friday - 11pm Sunday.

DEPARTMENTS:

HOUSING

• The MHSS supports 4-5 clients living in an agency-owned home. The service is intended to promote independent living skills so clients may secure their own independent housing.

OUTREACH

• The MHSS supports clients 1 on 1 in their home or community. The service is intended to further promote independent livings skills so clients living independently can maintain their housing.

DAY HABIILITATION

• The MHSS supports multiple clients in a group setting. The service is intended to promote social skills through activities and community outings.

CORE DUTIES:

CLIENT INTERACTION

• Facilitate progress toward client goals
• Provide coaching and counseling
• Identify triggers and develop symptom management strategies and coping skills
• Develop natural supports and encourage community integration
• Mitigate barriers and work toward independence
• Enhance quality of life
• Encourage activities of daily living
• Support organizing and adherence to schedules and routines
• Monitor physical health and encourage healthy practices
• Advocate for and assist clients in accessing community resources
• Transport clients according to program expectations or as included in their service plan
• Administer medications in compliance with the Medication Management Program (Housing and Outreach)
• Contact clients as needed in cases of agency closures, unexpected absences, and/or as assigned

SERVICE DOCUMENTATION

• In compliance with Chapter 24, state, federal, agency and other required guidelines:
• Timely completion case notes, assessments, and social histories
• Timely submission of collateral notes, quarterly updates, and Incident Reports

TEAM AND AGENCY PARTICIPATION

• Attend all staff meetings as required
• Participate in additional training as assigned
• Collaborate with other staff and programs as needed

OTHER DUTIES AS REQUIRED AND/OR ASSIGNED

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicate in a timely manner with team of care providers
• Follow through with a consistent schedule and adherence to deadlines
• Achieve expected billable weekly client contact hours
• Complete all paperwork as assigned by supervisor
• Meet with supervisor weekly
• Establish and maintain a consistent schedule with clients and negotiate needed adjustments
• Treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect
• Prompt, professional, and responsive communication with clients, fellow staff, supervisor, collateral agencies – in-person, telephonic, electronic, written missive
• Follow all agency policies and procedures
• Maintain an Outlook calendar, reflecting all appointments and availability
• Dress, personal appearance, and manner of behavior must reflect a professional image
• Maintain confidentiality and HIPAA guidelines

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:

The supervisory structure of each department is unique. The MHSS will be assigned a direct supervisor by the department’s Program Manager, or they will report to the first existing position within their assigned department in the order below.

• 1. Senior Mental Health Support Specialist
• 2. Program Assistant Manager
• 3. Program Manager

KEY SKILLS:

• Ability to work and engage with a wide variety of people
• Problem solving
• Active listening
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Adaptability
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Writing
• Basic Microsoft Office, SharePoint, OneDrive competencies

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1+ years of human service experience
• Pass multiple background checks, including but not limited to dependent adult/child abuse and criminal background check and driving records check
• Maintain valid driver’s license and reliable, privately insured car, as well as insurability with agency insurance requirements
• Must be available to work a minimum of 4 hours at a time and 12 hours a week

PREFERRED

• Bachelor’s degree in a human service field (Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology)

BENEFITS:

• $200 Sign-on Bonus (paid after successful completion of probationary period)
• $500-$750 Referral Bonus (paid after successful completion of referred staff’s probation period)
• Competitive Benefits Package including, but not limited to:
• Insurance*
• Health, Dental, Vision
• PTO*
• Vacation, Sick Time, Personal Day
• Holiday Pay
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• IRA
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Staff Development & Training
• * Full-time benefit