IPS Employment Specialist

TITLE: IPS Employment Specialist

CLASSIFICATION: Mental Health Specialist I

HOURLY PAY RANGE: $14.00 - $21.30

SUPERVISOR: IPS Director

DEFINITION:

The Employment Specialist works as a member of a small team to assist adults who have Serious Mental Illness find and maintain competitive employment. The Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) Program is an Evidenced-Based program that operates on the understanding that gainful employment is a critical component of recovery. The Employment Specialist carries a caseload of up to 20 individuals, and duties include providing support and assistance to consumers seeking employment and networking with potential employers to gain viable employment options.


DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Engages consumers with Serious Mental Illness in seeking competitive employment to promote recovery.

Assesses consumers' skills, strengths, and job seeking goals on an ongoing basis.

Provides education and support to family members, with client's permission.

Discusses consumer's preference for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.

Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of consumers, following the principles and procedures of supported employment.

Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week which are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe consumer strengths that are relevant to the position.

Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist consumers in maintaining employment.

Provides education and supports to employers as agreed upon by consumers that may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.

Utilizes a variety of outreach services as necessary to consumers when they appear to disengage from the service.

Attends weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.

Has at least monthly face to face meeting with vocational rehabilitation counselors to coordinate services for consumers.

Develops an individual employment plan with the consumer, mental health worker and other treatment team providers, which is updated quarterly.

Develops job support plan with the consumer using input from the consumer, mental health workers, family members, past employment experiences and information about current job.

Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community (meets consumers at community locations such as home, workplace, VRS/Vocational Rehabilitation Services, or any location agreeable to the consumer; takes consumer to apply for jobs, investigates vocational and educational opportunities based on consumer needs, etc.).

Provides supported education using principles of supported employment for consumers who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.

Participates in weekly IPS Supported Employment Program supervisory meetings following the supported employment model in which strategies are identified and job leads are shared.

Promotes IPS Supported Employment Program to all Carastar programs for consumer referrals to the program.

Maintains a caseload not to exceed 20 consumers.

Is responsible for meeting Milestone goals as outlined at the start of each fiscal year.

Provides timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources (DMH/Department of Mental Health, Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, etc.).

Provides coverage for other IPS Supported Employment Specialist or Benefits Specialist when needed.

Participates in presentations to Carastar staff related to the IPS Supported Employment Program on an at least bi-annual basis.

REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population.

Knowledge cultural diversity

Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention, and interventions common to acute psychiatric consumers; as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practices.

Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles.

Knowledge of available community employment resources,

Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with psychiatric disorders

Knowledge of the use and side effects of psychotropic medication.

Reliable transportation and willingness to transport clients.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Some experience in mental health, social services, or business preferred.


Must meet requirements of Medicaid for approved Medicaid Provider Status.

Experience providing employment services, and knowledge of the work world are preferred.

Ability to work as an effective team player is essential.

Experience working with people with serious mental illness, providing employment services and knowledge of the work world preferred.

Must hold a valid driver's license and maintain a driving record that is acceptable to Carastar's insurance carrier.

Must maintain at least liability coverage on personal vehicles.

Must maintain current CPI and Red Cross First Aid/CPR certifications.


Revised October 2021,

September 2025