Mental Health Assistant

Mental Health Assistant

The Institute for Human Services (IHS) is Hawaii's most comprehensive human services agency dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness. For over 45 years, we've been at the forefront of creating tailored solutions for those in crisis, offering a continuum of care that includes emergency shelters, housing programs, health services, employment assistance, and outreach.

The Mental Health Assistant supports the assigned case manager and provides quality intensive case management services for homeless SMI population that include supportive counseling, outreach, and provision of safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities, skills teaching/education, family support, service coordination/advocacy, and crisis support. This position works collaboratively with the treatment team to implement a client centered master individualized recovery plan (MIRP) along with Behavioral Health Assessment that includes the acuity determination (LOCUS).

Compensation: Starting from $21.00 hourly, actual pay commensurate with experience.

Essential Functions:

1. Demonstrate excellent customer service consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission, and Values of the organization.
2. Works with the assigned case manager to coordinate all case management services to include the development of a Master Individualized Recovery Plan (MIRP), completion of the behavior health assessment; acuity determination and crisis plan reviews.
3. Meet consumer outcomes by determining the objectives needed to reach the client's recovery goals and identifying service needs that may or may not include contact with individuals, families, guardians, and/or significant others if the client desires.
4. Locates and secures intense community-based services according to client's desires and resources available; maintains referral network with other human service agencies in the community and makes the appropriate referrals to other programs, community organizations, etc.
5. Make collaborative outreach attempts, including transportation of consumers as needed, with other involved providers to coordinate member's care as necessary.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

1. Working knowledge of community resources available to homeless or disenfranchised individuals including knowledge of substance abuse treatments, diagnosis and support services for clients with severe and persistent mental illness.
2. Effective problem solving and organizational skills and computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access and/or database applications.
3. Able to exercise judgment and work independently under general direction and effectively interact with professionals, partnering agencies and clients with severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance abuse problems.
4. Possess personal qualities of integrity, patience and commitment to mission.
5. Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment.

Required Education and Experience:

1. High School diploma, or High School Equivalency.
2. Minimum of 1 1/2 years of clinical skill and experience to assess, plan, develop, coordinate, and provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to program clients with severe and persistent mental illnesses
3. Access to vehicle and appropriate no-fault insurance with valid driver's license and clean abstract.
4. CPR and First Aid Certification (or able to complete at IHS).
5. Must pass CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) training.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Regular full time classification. Generally Monday through Friday and some weekends. Hours and days may vary based on the needs of the consumers and organization.

IHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, maintains a Drug and Alcohol-free Workplace, and is proud to be an employer of national service.