SUMMARY STATEMENT OF POSITION:

The Community Support Specialist provides input for needs assessments, develops individual recovery plans based on the assessment completed by a licensed mental health professional, provides direct skill teaching, crisis intervention, coordinates care with other health care providers/families and makes recommendations to ensure the quality of care for clients served. This position is entirely in the community. This position is for Fairfax & Arlington County. 

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Assess stage of treatment, stage of change, skills and abilities of clients and engages clients in skills building activities that focus on recovery, community integration and wellness.
• Carries caseload for mental health skill building and provides coordination of care for each person on caseload as determined by program needs.
• Provide input for prior authorizations for skill building services, the annual Needs Assessment and develops a person-centered Individual Recovery Plan for each person on caseload.
• Complete Log notes, Weekly Progress notes and a Quarterly Review of barriers encountered and/or progress made on objectives embedded in the person-centered Recovery Plan for each person on caseload and modifies objectives and/or interventions in a timely manner.
• Provide individualized education and skills teaching to include Illness Management, supportive counseling, and crisis intervention to persons served.
• Assist clients to make informed decisions about recovery from mental illnesses and
• co-occurring disorders.
• Routinely liaison and collaborate with other care-providers and/or treatment team: at least monthly - documentation of collaboration with case managers, and
• at least every six months - documentation of collaboration with medical providers.
• Maintain electronic health record (EHR) as required by CARF, Licensure and Medicaid.
• Complete clinical documentation within 24 hours of service delivery per Medicaid regulations.
• Meet billing targets as set by the organization.
• Demonstrate flexibility in performance of duties and/or other duties as assigned.
• Represent staff in agency and/or community-based workgroups to enhance services provided within, and related to, mental health support services for target population, as designated by supervisor.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability to changes in environment and situations
• Strong and effective communication skills and accepts criticism and feedback
• Dependability by following instructions, responds to management direction and keeps commitments
• Meets attendance punctuality guidelines
• Maintains emotional self-awareness and manages relationships positively
• Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming and building interpersonal relationships
• Contributes to building a positive team spirit and exhibits objectivity and openness to others views

QUALIFICATIONS:

• QMHP-A preferred, QMHP-T required
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social science, or related field preferred.
• Progressively responsible experience working with seriously mentally ill adults.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft suite and procedures relevant to this position.
• High degree of empathy toward individuals with serious mental illness.