POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Employment Specialist in the Working Wellness Program will carry out Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment services by assisting clients with mental health challenges to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their individualized vocational goals. This work is done in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary setting including involvement of mental health and/or substance use disorder counselor(s), case manager(s), as well as client family members or personal support individuals.
This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the program’s proper implementation of IPS principles and the successful adherence to the IPS Fidelity scale
- Participate and complete initial and on-going IPS training as assigned by Supervisor to facilitate adherence to IPS model and principles.
- Work collaboratively with the Working Wellness team, which includes the Staff Therapist and Peer Support Specialist, to address barriers to employment of clients by implementing the Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) model.
- Responsible for maintaining a caseload of approximately 20 clients.
- Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of securing and sustaining competitive employment.
- Assists clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make good decisions about employment opportunities.
- Assesses clients' vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experiences.
- Discusses client's preference for disclosure of mental health challenges to employers.
- Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests of clients, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
- Conducts at least in person six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
- Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.
- Writes job support plans in collaboration with clients and incorporates input from the other providers on the team. Adjusts plan according to clients’ evolving needs and preferences.
- Provides education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.
- Provides community outreach services as necessary to support clients when they appear to disengage from services.
- Provides timely interventions: returns phone calls within 24 hours and responds to situations in a timely manner and in adherence to agency protocols. Contacts employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours. Follow up on job leads within 48 hours.
- Meets with clients within one week prior to the job start date and again within three days after the first day of employment.
- Participates in weekly Family Service Team meetings with the mental health treatment team and communicates with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into mental health treatment.
- Participates in face-to-face meetings with counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients.
- Develops an individual employment plan with clients. Incorporates input from mental health team and family members, with permission.
- Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example: meets clients at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, family home, etc. or takes clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED programs or colleges, etc.
- Provides supported education, using principles similar to supported employment, for clients who express interest in education to advance their employment goals.
Other
- Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities
- Track and regularly report on key metrics for responsible function areas
- Leads and collaborate on special projects related to agency objectives as appropriate
