Part-Time Community Support Specialist, Residential

Thresholds; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 66,190,924 - 76,043,520; Full time

Job summary

Thresholds is seeking a Community Support Specialist - Residential (Adult Program) to facilitate mental health rehabilitation interventions and supports in a Thresholds-operated residential program. You will provide direct services, case management, crisis intervention, and psycho-social rehab to members to help achieve rehabilitation and recovery goals.

Under supervision, you will assess needs, assist with treatment planning, and support independent living skills.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• At least 21 years of age.
• Trained in Basic First Aid and CPR.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct service to members through individual and group counseling, case management, job support, crisis intervention, and psycho-social rehabilitation services.
• Under supervision, gathers member information and assesses the need for service and makes recommendations for treatment.
• Identifies relapse risk factors and supports relapse prevention planning.
• May develop and review Individual Treatment Plans with face-to-face meetings.
• Teaches independent living skills and coping strategies.
• Provides support with collateral sources and helps members access community supports.
• Performs comprehensive member assessments with the team to identify service needs.
• Supports member self-advocacy and participation in treatment decisions.
• Ensures service plans address needs with objectives and techniques.
• Keeps logs and records and participates in crisis intervention when necessary.
• Monitors and documents medication self-administration.
• Communicates significant information to supervisor and maintains safeguards for funds.
• Keeps residence neat; notifies supervisor of maintenance issues.
• Attends required meetings and completes monthly clinical supervision trainings.
• Meets billing targets and completes documentation on time.
• Uses a Thresholds vehicle and maintains liability coverage.

Skills

Driver's License

Team player

EHR documentation

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology

Any BA with 2+ years experience

5+ years experience substituted for a degree

Job description

The Community Support Specialist - Residential (Adult Program) is responsible to facilitate mental health rehabilitation interventions and supports necessary to assist individuals with mental illnesses to achieve rehabilitative, resilience and recovery goals within a Thresholds operated residential program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides direct service to members through individual and group counseling, case management, job support, crisis intervention, and psycho-social rehabilitation services.
• Under direct supervision, gathers member information and assesses the need for service, makes recommendations for treatment, identifies and investigates existing natural resources and supports.
• Identifies risk factors related to the relapse and development of relapse prevention plans and strategies.
• May develop review and assist with members’ Individual Treatment Plans (ITP). This requires face-to-face meetings with member or guardian to identify goals, objectives, specific mental health services needed, and identification of staff responsible for delivering the services.
• Teaches members independent living skills, such as housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation and personal hygiene as well as the development of functional, interpersonal, support system and coping skills.
• Provides support to members with collateral sources, including other agencies, Social Security Administration, medical providers, Chicago Housing Authority, etc. Advocates and assists with problem solving/resolution that will help the member access and utilize support from the community or support system.
• Performs comprehensive member assessments, with the team and team leader, in order to identify the member’s mental health service needs and to make recommendations for treatment.
• Supports and promotes member self-advocacy and participation in decision making, treatment and treatment planning.
• Ensures that the Thresholds Service Plan addresses the member’s needs and includes objectives and techniques for accomplishing each goal.
• Works cooperatively with inpatient hospital staff, keeping logs and other records of all contacts as required by agency practice. Performs and participates in crisis intervention when necessary.
• Monitors Self Administration of Medication. This includes all procedures associated with the documentation of medication monitoring of self-administration in keeping with Thresholds standards, as well as procedures to follow in the event that there is any disruption to the medication schedule.
• May be required to communicate significant information regarding members to other staff or leadership. Provides accurate and timely information to your supervisor on all topics and issues related to the operation of the agency and the well‑being of members.
• Assures that all Thresholds procedures regarding the handling of member’s funds are followed and that both the members and the Thresholds administration are assured that all safeguards, reports and accounting meets the highest standards.
• Keeps the residence neat and clean at all times. Advises Supervisor, Team Leader or designee of any maintenance problems or issues. Responsible for the creation of a safe, clean, interesting and inviting atmosphere for members.
• Attends all required meetings and completes monthly clinical supervision trainings in timely fashion.
• Meets required billing targets and completes all documentation within assigned time frames.
• Uses personal vehicle for work. Obtains and maintains agency-required liability insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 subject to validation every six months.
• May be required to maintain the health and safety log and conduct safety checks when a member has not been seen in a 24‑hour period.
• May be required to purchase the weekly groceries for the house and assists in meal preparation.
• Provides sign‑off on documentation.

SCHEDULE: SAT & SUN 1PM‑9:30PM (16 HOURS/WEEK)

MARGINAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in the implementation of Thresholds’ emergency plans related to extreme weather or other emergency condition.
• May be required to work flexible schedules and be available to work on weekends or evenings as required. May be required to be on call.
• May be required to oversee and maintain the safety of the members, staff and visitors. This requires the upkeep of fire and safety equipment and document accordingly. Conduct all safety drills in conformance with current CARF and Agency standards and complete documentation as instructed.

REQUIREMENTS

• High School diploma or GED
• At least 21 years of age
• Preferred:
  • Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field
  • Any Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of experience in the field
  • 5+ years of experience in the field can be substituted for a degree
• Trained in Basic First Aid and CPR

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with persons diagnosed with mental illness preferred.

SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS

• Current and valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to work as an effective team player.
• Ability to document services provided in an Electronic Health Record in a timely manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• May be required to provide transportation for members of the program using a Thresholds provided vehicle or personal vehicle. Must be 23 years of age and must meet all insurance carrier’s requirements. Subject to annual Department of Motor Vehicles license verification.
• Competitive Pay - Base Rate: $23.10 - $26.54 hourly / $48,048 - $55,200 annually
  • Subject to increase based on education and experience

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.