Community Support Specialist, Community Mental Health - Skokie

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 psychosocial 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 selfadvocacy 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 selfadministration 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 wellbeing 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 6 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 purchases the weekly groceries for the house and assists in meal preparation.
• Provides sign-off on documentation.

SHIFT/SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday - 8am-4:30pm

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.
• May be required to provide transportation for members of the program using a Thresholds provided vehicle or your own car.

EDUCATION:

• Must meet Office of Mental Health Rule 132 credential requirements for a Rehabilitative Services Associate which requires a minimum age of 21. Hold a Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field, and be able to, demonstrate skills in the field of services to adults.

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 players.
• 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.  

WHAT SETS THRESHOLDS APART

• Competitive pay - Base Rate: $21.50 - 23.13 per hour / $44,720 - 48,100 annually
• Generous Paid Time Office Policy (Vacation, Sick, and Personal Days) 
• 4 Medical Insurance Plans 
• Dental Insurance 
• Vision Insurance 
• 403(b) with 3% employer match 
• Mileage Reimbursement 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness 
• Supervision for Clinical Licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)