Supported Employment Coach

Position Summary:

The Supported Employment Coach serves as a member of the Workforce team of WestCare Tennessee and collaborates with the Treatment Counselor, Case Manager, and Peer Support Specialist under the Supported Employment (SE) Standing Together Program. This role will include evaluating job readiness, administer assessments, and assess the workplace needs of participants with severe mental illness (SMI) and/or co-occurring disorder (COD), opioid use disorder (OUD) and/or substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis to prepare for job search assistance and employment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, and goals of WestCare Tennessee.
• Administer interest inventories, and other appropriate testing, screening, and assessment tools to evaluate vocational and training need of participants.
• Document vocational readiness skills and identify employment opportunities.
• Uphold strict confidentiality of individual information.
• Assist participants in accessing and/or obtaining HiSET and other vocational training as requested or needed to meet employment qualifications.
• Prepare lesson plans and instruct participants in basic vocational skills including job search techniques, interviewing, resume writing, work behaviors, and workplace skills as needed.
• Evaluate and monitor vocational/occupational skills performance to assist participants in maintaining employment, seeking position promotions, and participating in employer offered trainings.
• Assist participants with a disability who are unable to acquire or maintain employment in securing volunteer positions as appropriate to their abilities.
• Build relationships with local employers, the Chamber of Commerce, Vocational Rehabilitation Program, and other community resources to develop appropriate community employment positions, coordinate further vocational training or assistance with accessing available job placement opportunities.
• Advocate in the workplace on behalf of the participant to employers to improve workplace retention, job performance and vocational skills building while collaborating with Peer Support Specialist in addressing SUD/OUD treatment as needed.
• Participate in staffing decisions regarding participants' current workplace needs to provide input into the participant’s treatment needs and service disposition to Treatment Counselor and Case Manager.
• Complete documentation of services on provided forms and inputting work activities in required data tracking software platforms promptly and according to deadlines.
• Perform participant follow up interviews to document employment progress, to make additional referrals to needed services and to maintain active communication throughout the duration of the participant’s enrollment in the program.
• Attend necessary monthly integrated staff team meetings.
• Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with individuals served.
• Maintain strong professional relationship boundaries with organizations/ community agencies who refer individuals to WestCare Tennessee.
• Submit weekly report to Project Director.
• Work closely with Project Director, Research Assistant, and WestCare Foundation Evaluation team regarding the collection of data and reporting of program outcomes.
• Attend in-person and virtual program conferences and meetings, community meetings, and events as deemed necessary.
• Will engage and complete the required WestCare Tennessee eLearning, and any other program related trainings.

Essential Qualifications:

                Certifications/Licenses:

                Valid state issued driver’s license.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in vocational counseling, sociology, social work, or related field preferred.
• Current and/or previous experience in an outpatient atmosphere with workforce development or vocational service-related field of at least 3-5 years will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience and Competencies:

• At least two years or more of comparable qualifying experience in working with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Co-Occurring Disorder (COD), and/or Severe Mental Illness (SMI).
• Experience collaborating with individuals in a mental health setting preferred.
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures in vocational counseling and workforce development.
• Must possess excellent documentation and communication skills.
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served.
• Ability to adhere to the standard of ethical conduct and confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others in a professional manner.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
• Ability to operate a computer and complete documents in Microsoft Office program formats.
• Ability to respond as needed to crises in an efficient manner.
• Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours and on time.
• Ability to work in different program systems in providing day to day operations.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or indoor setting.
• Some travel will be required to trainings and conferences.
• Local travel is associated with participating in stakeholder meetings and other potential meetings to fulfill the requirements of the Supported Employment grant.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or

without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and proper utilization by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or promptly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision including proper eyewear at 20 inches or less and at distance.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with co-workers, managers, and the public at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.