Comm Engagement Specialist

NATURE OF WORK: The Community Engagement Specialist functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team and participates in consumer treatment through assessment of consumers needs and strengths; planning and implementation of treatment goals and objectives with the consumer; evaluation of progress toward these goals; assisting individuals in finding permanent housing; in-home skill building activities of daily living; community integration; advocating on behalf of the consumer; referrals to needed services; hospital liaison services; outreach to individuals who were identified as high risk through crisis services, emergency rooms and various other community agencies; education about available services; engagement in services; and transportation to consumers with serious mental illness, substance abuse, co-occurring or co-existing disorders(s) that are at high risk of psychiatric hospitalization or are involuntarily committed for the purpose of increasing consumer daily living skill level.

The Community Engagement Specialist works closely with Service Coordinators, Hospital Liaison/Linkage Worker, Crisis Intervention Specialists, Hospital Emergency Department staff, Mental Hygiene Commissioners, Homeless Shelter staff, and other service providers as needed, in identifying consumers involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the involuntary commitment process. The Community Engagement Specialist will also work closely with the Crisis Intervention Specialist in identifying voluntary inpatient services to prevent involuntary hospitalization. The Community Engagement Specialist provides a variety of direct services to individuals who have been identified as being involved in or at risk of involuntary commitment. The Community Engagement Specialist serves as an information source and interfaces with external services ensuring quality of availability, continuity, flexibility, and integration of necessary resources and services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

- Employee will complete all job duties as assigned within the specified timeframe or shift as scheduled. In doing such duties, all Valley Policies and Procedures as well as State and Federal regulations will be complied with in a promptly and timely manner. Examples of such standard duties include but are not limited to providing one-to-one support with individuals in their home/community to:

- Assess consumers needs and evaluate progress.

- Develop nutritious menus; prepare a shopping list of groceries and other household items; and transportation to the grocery store to purchase items on the shopping list.

- Assist individuals in their home to prepare a meal.

- Assist individuals in developing and maintaining a budget.

- Assist individuals in developing a schedule for appointments.

- Assist individuals in developing check sheet to keep track of taking their medications as prescribed by the physician.

- In-home skill building of activities of daily living (i.e., good personal hygiene, taking medications appropriately, washing clothes/dishes, etc.).

- Provide opportunities for assigned persons served to participate in community based activities.

- Provide transportation of persons served to appointments/activities in the community using a company owned vehicle or employees personal vehicle

- Engaging persons served in achieving their daily goals and objectives through active treatment.

- Refer and educate consumers to necessary resources and services.

- Provide outreach to individuals who were identified as high risk through crisis services, emergency rooms, and various other community agencies.

- Assists with no show rates by contacting consumers or going on home visits to assess consumers needs.

- Provide a minimum of a monthly summary to the Service Coordinator of all services provided to/for Community Engagement Consumers.

- Reviews consumers charts and documentation from other programs or service providers on a monthly basis to ensure coordination of services.

- Provides crisis assistance with consideration of the principles of consumer choice and least restrictive alternatives.

- Participates, initiates, coordinates and facilitates interdisciplinary treatment team meetings (IDTs).

- Review treatment plans quarterly for assigned consumers.

- Implement treatment plans in compliance with Valleys and State guidelines.

- Support discharge planning though face-to-face collaboration with hospital treatment teams to address personal and community supports needed for individuals.

- Face to face contact with assigned consumers within three working days of discharge from an involuntary commitment.

- Face to face contact with assigned consumers at least once a week for the first four weeks and at least monthly after that.

- Use clear communication skills, including people first language with consumers and other professionals.

- Perform all-predetermined services as per doctors orders and in accordance with treatment plans.

- Assure that the safety, health and wellbeing of persons served are always maintained on or off site.

- Complete and submits program specific documentation in a timely and accurate manner.

- Monitor, maintain and use appropriately, all equipment and supplies.

- Completes and submits Electronic Medical Record documentation as required by Valley, OHFLAC, BMS, CMS, and other licensing agencies (Including Direct Support Progress Notes and Client Transportation Notes) completed accurately and timely and will accurately and appropriately reflect services the consumer(s) has received.

- Attends in-service trainings, mandated meetings and completes Essential Learning trainings as assigned.

- Adheres to Valleys Standards of Conduct and Compliance and follows ethical guidelines of their profession.

- Participates in group or individual supervision with his/her supervisor.

- Meets direct client service time (DCST) standards of the High Intensity Services Division.

- Promotes appropriate community interactions by handling public interactions in a professional and competent manner. Returns telephone calls and requests for information in a timely manner, promotes a positive image of the agency, and maintains a good rapport with agency contacts.

- Use company vehicles to transport clients or use personal vehicle to transport clients as needed, maintaining current registration, insurance, and inspection.

- Support and help in the training of new employees.

- OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

- Ability to perform Essential Duties as outlined below.

- BA/BS in Human Service Field.

- Six months to one-year experience with working with individuals in human services or related training.

- Valid Drivers License & ability to legally transport clients

- Ability to comply with all of Valleys Policies and procedures.

- Ability to comply with Consumers Rights.

- Ability to comply with Valleys and Division departmental safety procedures.

- Ability to read, write and speak the English language.

- Ability to obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid, and MANDT Certifications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- LSW or eligible for TLSW.

- Knowledge of commitment laws.

- Knowledge of community resources for behavioral health problems including mental illness, substance abuse and intellectual/developmental disabilities.

- Experience as part of a treatment team.