Address
Form of workACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Counselor - Vocational Specialist/ Employment Specialist
You are key to our vision: Together We Thrive. At Kenneth Young Center, our staff come together with volunteers, community partners, and the people we serve to create holistic systems of care through interwoven behavioral health programs, older adult services, and community health initiatives. Our team welcomes and celebrates unique perspectives, and represents the diversity and vitality of our local communities. This role helps realize our mission: We partner with communities to support people of all ages to navigate life's challenges through personalized prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. Join our team to grow in your career while building stronger, healthier communities.
Job Scope: Actively contribute as a clinician working on an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team providing intensive, holistic and recovery-oriented behavioral health services to persons living with serious and persistent mental illness who desire to live independently and engage fully in community life. The ACT Vocational/Employment Specialist provides a full range of supports of an ACT counselor, along with specific focus on developing a client’s vocational and employment goals and completing annual assessment. ACT members provide and coordinate a range of individual treatment services that target assessed areas of functional impairment and promote independence through the development and use of natural community supports. Treatment services are delivered at flexible times that meet consumers’ needs and in settings (in the community and client homes)
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide mental health and co-occurring services using a team-model to a shared caseload of ACT clients including
- assessment, service planning and supportive counseling services
- independent living skills training to improve ADLs including money management, meal planning and cooking, shopping, and apartment maintenance
- case management, benefits monitoring, and community support services
- crisis intervention and stabilization services
- medication monitoring, education, and training under direction of RN and/or APN
- Provide specialized supports to encourage and develop vocational and employment goals
- Act as primary staff to coordinate referrals to KYC employment services
- Provide annual education and employment assessment as Employment Specialist for all ACT clients per fidelity model.
- Facilitate referrals for additional services consistent with assessed needs and consumer’s desired outcomes
- Provide integrated health by promoting physical health and supporting doctor visits, labs and bloodwork monitoring, and follow-up with medical specialists
- Address substance use issues through harm reduction techniques and recovery-based supports to support participants engaging fully in their lives and communities
- Provide support to clients who are experiencing homelessness and/or residing in temporary housing to locate permanent housing as part of their comprehensive treatment plan
- Meet regularly with ACT members to integrate care provision and share clinical responsibilities so that adequate coverage is available to clients at all times
- Promote symptom stabilization thru medication monitoring, education, and assisting participants to take as prescribed
- Provide work and education related services to all participants on the team to help individuals value, find, and achieve meaningful employment and/or education
- Coordinate with Comprehensive Transition Team and Front Door Team members to support transitions to more independent living
- Routinely consult with other KYC Team members including front door, comprehensive transition team, vocational, psychosocial rehabilitation, substance use, outpatient therapy, and psychiatry to address specific client related clinical issues and coordinate care strategies
- Promote opportunities for clients to build natural systems of support within their communities through exposure to recreational, spiritual, educational, vocational, volunteer and civic activities
- Participate with other ACT members in regular 24/7 on-call crisis and stabilization coverage
Administrative and Performance Requirements
- Complete written annual education and employment assessment as Employment Specialist for all ACT clients per fidelity model.
- Work with Assertive Community Treatment team Supervisor, Program Assistant, and Team members to assess, plan, and participate in provision of services
- Meet productivity target estimated at 50% billable service
- Participate in supervision as directed and seek additional clinical and program consultation as needed
- Participate in All Staff meetings, Department meetings, Team meetings, and other staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor
- Interpret and communicate, at the service delivery level, Center policies and procedures
- Complete all clinical documentation and required reports in an accurate and timely manner following KYC policies
- Meet agency quality and compliance standards
Education & Experience
- Meet Illinois Rule 140 Mental Health Professional (MHP) definition in 1 of the below ways (or see IDHS MHP definition):
- An individual possessing a current CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) certification in Illinois; OR
- Preferred Bachelors or Masters Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, rehab counseling, or a related human service field; or in an unrelated field with 2 years of experience; OR
- High school diploma or GED AND a minimum of 5 years documented clinical experience in mental health or human services
- Preferred experience working with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness providing a variety of clinical interventions
- Preferred exposure to working in non-traditional treatment environments i.e. in-home, residential, hospital, nursing facility, and community settings
- Basic technology, smartphone, and computer proficiency; knowledge of web-based team communication tools (ex. Microsoft Teams), electronic health records, telehealth programs, and internet skills
- At least 1 year of specialized training and/or work experience providing employment/vocational services
- Applicant must have a valid IL Driver’s License and daily access to a well maintained/insured vehicle
- IM+CANS certification or obtain within 30 days after starting employment (training provided)
Kenneth Young Center offers a robust benefit package that is highly competitive to the market and offers all full-time employees the following:
- 403(b) plan with organizational matching
- Medical Insurance (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois - BCBS)
- Dental (BCBS), and Vision Insurance (BCBS) with low employee premiums
- Long Term and Short Term Disability (BCBS), no cost to employee
- Flexible Spending Account (with annual rollover)
- Basic life insurance (50k) paid for by the organization and option for additional voluntary coverage for self, spouse, or dependents (BCBS)
- Incentive program with potential for quarterly bonuses
- Opportunity for annual bonus and salary increase (discretionary based on annual KYC financial audit)
- Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
To further promote an active and healthy work/ life balance, KYC also offers a generous amount of paid time off and staff holidays.
- 4 weeks of Paid Time Off (With increases based on seniority)
- 8 Paid Organization-Wide Holidays
- 3 Personal Floating Holidays annually
Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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