Supported Employment Specialist #1087/#656

LifeWorks NW; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking organization that empowers individuals with mental health challenges to achieve their employment goals. As a Supported Employment Specialist, you will provide crucial support to clients aged 12 to 24, helping them navigate their educational and employment journeys. This role emphasizes a client-centered approach, focusing on strengths and interests, while fostering connections with community resources and educational institutions. You will play a vital role in advocating for clients, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive. If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills to guide others towards success, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Professional Development Opportunities

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Valid QMHA credential certification is required.
• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral health-related field or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients' employment capabilities and provide training assistance.
• Develop and maintain educational service plans based on client needs.
• Counsel individuals and groups regarding educational placement and retention.

Skills

Mental Health Assessment

Crisis Intervention

Counseling Techniques

Cultural Competency

Community Resource Knowledge

Documentation Skills

Client Relationship Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

Equivalent Experience in Behavioral Health

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Electronic Health Record System

Job description

Our employment specialists follow an evidence-based clinical practice of helping people with mental illness succeed in finding and maintaining employment. We work side by side with them and their employers, if desired, to help find the right opportunity. We are fully integrated with the clinical team to help our clients work and achieve their treatment goals.

Early Assessment & Support Alliance (EASA) provides individual/family support, education, advocacy, and treatment to persons aged 12 to 24 who are experiencing emerging symptoms of psychosis. The program also has a robust family component, including multi-family groups. EASA serves individuals who are publicly or privately insured or who have no insurance.

Transition Age Youth Intensive Services (TAYIS) Programs serve clients between ages 16 to 24 with severe mental illness. Focus of treatment is client-centered and strengths-based. Treatment services include individual/group skills training, supported employment/education, supported housing, life skills, and psychiatric treatment. Services are oriented towards young adults transitioning into independence.

The Supported Employment Specialist assesses severe and persistent mentally ill client case load for employment capabilities, provides training assistance, offers continuing support, and assists clients target potential jobs, explore job possibilities in the community, and make job placements. Services are offered in community-based or home-based settings. Educates employers and community providers about LifeWorks NW's Employment Services and how they operate as a successful community placement model for employing people with long-term mental illnesses and encourages them to recognize clients' abilities to be productive and successful.

Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Beaverton site.

• Meets performance standards for productivity, documentation, proficiency in clinical model and evidence-based practices, quality of care (including engagement and retention), and teamwork as defined in the Performance Review.
• Interviews individuals and, if applicable, family members or team members in the client support system to complete the strengths-based educational assessments to identify clients' skills and strengths, interests, goals, dreams, aspirations, and resources available to reach their goals.
• Counsels individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational situation.
• Develops an education-focused service plan based on clients' interests, abilities, strengths, and needs. Service plans will have measurable goals and objectives based on the diagnosis and will specify type, frequency, intensity, and duration of service. Service plans will be client-driven and follow-ups will be completed on time, assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
• Assists clients with financial aid applications and scholarships that may assist in achieving academic goals.
• Researches possible educational opportunities for clients by contacting school counselors, school administrators, and any other means of reaching potential employers or educators.
• Establishes and maintains connections with schools and organizations offering educational opportunities.
• Identifies barriers to client's educational goals, such as finances, scheduling, and transportation problems. Works with clients to develop strategies for overcoming barriers.
• Maintains close contact with clients during educational placements to resolve problems and evaluate placement adequacy.
• Performs interventions as needed with assigned clients previously placed who may be at risk of school failure. Works closely with teachers, counselors, and clients to resolve issues as soon as possible.
• Coordinates and consults with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress.
• Counsels individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding educational placement and retention issues.
• Refers clients or families to community resources including school counselors, tutors, and financial aid advisors.
• Provides crisis intervention to clients when difficult situations occur.
• Monitors and tracks educational status and performance. Provides accurate and timely written reports.
• Ensures timely record maintenance of billings, completed releases of information, and Service Activity Logs (S/AL's). Maintains client records in compliance with agency and confidentiality guidelines. Completes documentation in an electronic health records system.
• Serves as back-up for other staff when needed.
• Continually increases level of cultural sensitivity, awareness, and competency. Actively participates in a minimum of 4 hours of training related to cultural effectiveness in working with diverse populations.
• Participates in regular individual and team meetings with supervisor, providing written and verbal reports to supervisor regarding cases. Attends informational and clinical meetings which may include all-agency meetings, team meetings, consultation meetings with psychiatrist, intra-agency trainings, etc.
• Checks e-mail/voice mail daily/throughout the day when working, responding to contacts within 48 hours for routine matters (urgent matters may require a more immediate response).
• Required to transport clients in a personal vehicle and/or LifeWorks NW vehicle.

Qualifications:

• This position requires a valid and active QMHA credential certification through MHACBO.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a behavioral health-related field OR three years of comparable experience working with individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness.
• Must have a minimum of an additional year of experience in the behavioral health field working with people with disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively; understand mental health assessment, treatment and service terminology and individual, group, family, and other counseling techniques; program policies and procedures for services and supports identified in an Individual Services and Supports Plan.
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally-competent treatment services to diverse client populations and maintain a cooperative working relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to provide educational services and compliance with confidentiality in accordance with federal, state and/or funding source requirements.
• Knowledge of community resources enabling appropriate referrals for specific client needs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word. Ability to master proprietary software including electronic health record system required.
• Requires access to a car, a valid driver's license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage, and verification of safe driving record from DMV.
• Ability to perform essential functions of job without creating a direct threat to the safety of self or others.

LifeWorks NW is a private, non-profit organization providing prevention, mental health, substance use treatment, and related social services to youths, adults, and older adults in over fifteen locations throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. LifeWorks NW promotes a healthy community by providing quality and culturally responsive mental health and addiction services across the lifespan.

Our core values - Recovery and Relationships, Resilience, and Results - inform the work we do. The four pillars of the strategic vision include Compassionate, Impactful Care, Holistic Health, Passionate Team, and Thriving Organization. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are critical to successfully achieving the mission. We know that 'life works' when people get the help they need and are dedicated to changing lives.