Community Support Specialist ACT Team

Why Prairie Ridge?

At Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, our mission is to empower individuals to live healthy, purpose-filled lives on their terms. We believe in the potential of every person and recognize that meaningful care starts with understanding their experiences, strengths, and goals. Through personalized, whole-person care, we help individuals build the skills, connections, and support they need to move forward.

Our work is guided by five core values: Unyielding Empowerment, Relentless Resiliency, Inspirational Integrity, Active Accountability, and Radical Respect. These values shape how we care for the people we serve, work alongside one another, and connect with our communities. We value the different experiences and perspectives each team member brings and the collaboration it takes to provide thoughtful, coordinated care.

As part of our new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team serving the Marshalltown area, you’ll have the opportunity to help build something meaningful from the beginning. You’ll work alongside colleagues from different professional backgrounds to bring treatment and practical support directly to individuals in their everyday lives, helping them work toward greater stability, independence, and the goals that matter to them.

What Is the ACT Team?

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a team-based approach to supporting adults living with serious and persistent mental illness. The team brings treatment and practical support into people’s homes and community settings, helping them manage symptoms, navigate challenges, and work toward their personal goals. Team members from different professional backgrounds work closely together to provide coordinated, individualized care.

As a Community Support Specialist, you will help individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness develop the skills and supports they need to live more independently in the community. You’ll work alongside individuals to develop personalized goals, coordinate services, connect with community resources, and support needs related to daily living, health, housing, employment, and education. Your role will also include advocacy, transportation, crisis response, and participation in the team’s on-call rotation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Develop an Integrated Treatment Team Plan (ITTP) and facilitate implementation of the Individual Program Goals. Goals may include Community Living Skills, Daily Living Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Vocational/Educational Skills, Medication Management, Physical Health Care, Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, Resource Acquisition, and Psychiatric Emergency/Relapse.

- Conduct needs assessments and provide direct, face-to-face, community-based services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness in their homes and other community settings.

- Arrange for and physically transport clients as needed to facilitate treatment plan goals and access to services.

- Develop crisis plans; assess and respond to psychiatric crises, including individuals experiencing acute symptoms or instability; and develop appropriate plans of action with the client and treatment team.

- Monitor client progress in the services received and facilitate updating the individual service goals.

- Coordinate treatment activities and services with the Treatment Team, participate in the on-call rotation, and respond to urgent patient needs as required.

- Complete timely and accurate documentation of services, assessments, client progress, and other required information.

- Advocate for the client with other service providers and assist with coordination of resources.

- Develop and coordinate discharge planning with the client and treatment team.

- Treat all individuals with dignity and respect while maintaining agency standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and objectivity.

- Maintain all HIPAA and 42 CFR confidentiality requirements and regulations as outlined in CARF policies and procedures

- Comply with agency policies, procedures and regulatory standards.

- All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR POSITION

- Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, sociology, psychology or education or related field.

- Two years of experience providing community-based rehabilitation, behavioral health, or related human services; preferred.

- Demonstrated decision making skills and competencies to work with adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

- Familiarity with psychotropic medications and their side effects.

- Experience in problem-solving and using discretion in crisis mediation situations.

- Valid vehicle operator license, proof of liability insurance and ability to drive for organization business.

- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends if necessary.

- Travel may be required as this is a community-based position.

- Supportive of the mission of Prairie Ridge and the patients we serve.

- Proficiency in oral and written communication skills, as well as documentation requirements.

- Technology skills allowing for proficiency in use of electronic health record.

- While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee is often required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance.

- The employee must infrequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or more up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.