Mental Health Specialist - ACT

This position is responsible for providing integrative serv­ices to participants in the agency's ACT program, which includes outreach, assessment, service linkage, monitoring and advocacy functions. The Mental Health Specialist is a member of the mobile team serving persons with serious and persistent mental illness. Typically participant's recovery has not been adequately supported by less intensive service delivery programs. The specialist collaborates with other team members to facilitate adherence to a prescribed medication regimen, the development of skills for independent living, community integration and crisis intervention. This position serves specifically as a housing specialist and a liaison for program participants while they are in more intensive placements outside of the community. It also provides leadership in the shared responsibility for assuring that all authorizations and documentation are completed in a timely manner and consistent with requirements of accrediting bodies and third-party payers. Services are provided in office, community and home settings, and the case manager coordinates with other team members to provide services, as needed, at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES

AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF POSITION

• Assesses service needs and collaborates with other ACT team members to develop individualized service plans.
• Links the individual to services and supports specified in the service plan.
• Assists the individual directly for the purpose of locating, developing or obtaining needed services and resources, including providing or arranging for transportation for individuals or their family members to access services.
• Coordinates services with the other agencies and providers involved with the individual, including assisting consumers or their family members in applying for benefits which they are eligible to receive.
• Serves as a program liaison with other service providers for program participants who are in placements outside of the community.
• Provides supportive counseling.
• Advocates on behalf of the consumer for appropriate treatment/interventions.
• Develops community integration opportunities for community living skills and vocational, civic and recreational services.
• Makes collateral contacts with the individual's significant others (e.g. parents, guardians, friends, and siblings) to promote implementation of the services plan and community adjustment.
• Prepares, submits and verifies authorization to provide service to consumers.
• Provides quality assurance services to team to assure timely and appropriate submission of service authorizations and completion of documentation in compliance with Medicaid, Licensing and agency standards.
• Monitors service delivery to assure implementation of the consumer service plan and to assess the individual's receipt of and participation in appropriate types and levels of services.
• Maintains necessary documentation of case management services in keeping with agency, Licensing and third-party payer standards.

• Participates in team meetings, case reviews and supervision.
• Collaborates with other team members to provide 24-hour on-call crisis coverage to participants.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of interviewing, skill-building and supportive counseling techniques appropriate for persons with serious and persistent mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Knowl­edge of the relevant assessments and their use in program planning. Knowledge of consumers' rights. Knowledge of local service delivery systems, including support services. Knowledge of general principles of record documentation. Knowledge of the service planning process. Skill in negotiating with consumers and service providers. Skill in observing, recording and reporting behaviors. Skill in identi­fying and documenting service needs. Skill in coordinating the provision of services by diverse public and private providers. Ability to identify a consumer's needs for resources, services and other assistance. Ability to identify services within the established service system to meet the consumer's needs. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to work collaboratively with other team members, participants, their families and community providers.

FORMAL TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE EXEMPLIFYING KSAs

Bachelor's degree in a related human services field and one year of experience with persons with serious and persistent mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders, or a combination of education and experience for designation as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).

Master's Degree in the Behavioral Sciences and eligibility as a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) preferred.

LICENSURE: Valid Virginia driver's license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Must have the use of sensory skills in order to communicate and interact effectively with other employees, persons served and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Work involves frequent traveling and visita­tion to consumer's homes and community settings of varying sanitary and health conditions. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to a, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling. Ability to lift a child of up to 40 lbs.