Supported Employment Specialist

JOB SUMMARY: The Supported Employment Specialist will assist individuals in the designated county who happen to have a severe and persistent mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar, depression) who want to work. The Supported Employment Specialist will fully be part of the Mental Health Treatment Team and will work closely with their supervisor(s) to design and implement the state-sanctioned evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model for Supported Employment. The Employment Specialist carries out the services of the IPS Supported Employment program by assisting clients to seek, obtain, and maintain a career that is consistent with their vocational goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Directs interactions with mental health clients with a severe and persistent mental illness who are seeking to obtain work or attend school who are engaged in mental health services at BestCare CMHP and referred by their mental health clinician.
2. Provides IPS Supported Employment services to members as directed by a QMHP in line with fidelity established for IPS Supported Employment and documented in the Individual Service and Support Plan (ISSP); uses interventions informed by Evidence-based Practices.
3. Actively promotes the harmonious delivery of services through coordination and collaboration with treatment team and Vocational Rehabilitation team members, achieved by ongoing communication and active problem-solving with the treatment team regarding outcomes, barriers, and case observations.
4. As part of a behavioral health program, directs interactions between members of the mental health and substance use disorders treatment teams. Attends weekly mental health treatment team meetings and fully participate on the mental health team.
5. Directs interactions with local employers and potential employers, community groups (e.g. Chamber of Commerce, Central Oregon Community College, etc.), and both builds and maintains strong, working relationships with these entities.
6. Networks with and builds strong working collaborations with the State Vocational Rehabilitative Services division.
7. Builds relationships with employers based upon client job interests. Includes face-to-face meetings with employers over time to learn about their business needs and the positions in their business, as well as regular phone contacts with Supported Employment clients, employers, and community partners.
8. Transports Supported Employment clients to appointments such as job interviews, job shadowing, education-related appointments, and vocational rehabilitation when appropriate,
9. Provides job supports continuously. Individualized job supports are provided until jobs are stable or until clients no longer want supports from the Supported Employment Specialist.
10. Tracks Supported Employment client data in database and completes reports timely to regulatory bodies and the agency.
11. Provides case management services, including timely documentation in the program's electronic health record.
12. Attending the annual OSECE/Oregon Supported Employment Center for Excellence conference and other training that builds knowledge of best practices in Supported Employment.
13. Other related duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs work in alignment with the BestCare's mission, vision, values;
2. Supports the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a culture of open-mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion, and respect for all individuals;
3. Strives to meet Program/Department goals and supports the organization's strategic goals;
4. Adheres to the organization's Code of Conduct, Business Ethics, Employee Handbook, and all other relevant policies, procedures, and other compliance needs;
5. Understands and maintains professionalism and confidentiality per HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes;
6. Attends required program/staff meetings and completes assigned training timely and satisfactorily;
7. Ensures that any required certifications and/or licenses are kept current and renewed timely;
8. Works independently as well as participates as a positive, collaborative team member.
9. Performs other organizational duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate's degree in Social Services, Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, or other Behavioral Health-related discipline.
• Familiarity with mental illness and substance-abusing populations
• For individuals in recovery from substance-use disorder, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two years at the time of hire;

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• QMHA-I required or QMHA-R with ability to obtain certification within 6 months of hiring required
• IPS/Intentional Peer Support Certification required or willingness/ability to become certified within 2 years
• Ability to pass a background check and be granted approval by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) background check unit
• Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain one upon hire, and be insurable under the organization's auto liability coverage policy (minimum 21 years of age and with no Type A violations in the past 3 years, or three (3) or more Type B violations)

PREFERRED:

• Bachelor's degree in one of the above disciplines preferred
• Experience working in a behavioral health field preferred
• Experience with substance use disorder (SUD) preferred
• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: Must have demonstrated competency or ability to attain competency for each of the following within a reasonable period:

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, orally and in writing
• Demonstrated knowledge about veterans' issues, local and regional resources, along with some basic understanding of mental illness and alcohol/drug addiction; community resources and recovery programs;
• Proficiency in MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, One-Note, PowerPoint), EHR platform, databases, virtual meeting platforms, internet, and ability to learn new or updated software;
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through;
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines;
• Critical thinking skills;
• Ability to maintain strict confidence as required by HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes;
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships;
• Ability to function well and use good judgment in a high-paced and at times stressful environment;
• Ability to manage conflict resolution and anger/fear/hostility/violence of others appropriately and effectively;
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully in a diverse, multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to work independently as well as participating as a positive, collaborative team member.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Standard office equipment including computer/laptop, copy/fax/scanning machine, printer, telephone, or multi-line phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work environment is respectful, multi-cultural and inclusive, and the characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position requires the employee to dress in a manner that meets the standards for professional attire at Best Care or per department-or job-specific requirements (See Dress Code Policy in Employee Handbook). Other working conditions/demands include:

• Primarily indoors (85%)
• May need to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as appropriate
• Must wear attire as prescribed for staff working in the assigned Program
• Frequently sits at a desk, stands, walks, bends/stoops, reaches above/below shoulders, uses arms, wrists, hands, and grasps/squeezes
• Occasionally twists, crouches/squats
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks/motions, have good manual dexterity
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 20 lbs. frequently and push/pull 21-75 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to hear alarms/telephone/audio/normal speaking voice
• Must have clarity of vision: Near (<20"); Mid (>20" to < 20'); Far (> 20')
• Must be able to drive motor vehicle to perform job
• May be exposed to communicable disease