Associate Mental Health Professional/Vocational Specialist

Position: AP or QP /Vocational Specialist

Program: Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT)

Employment Status: Full-Time

Location of Office: Wilmington NC

Education and Experience Requirements:

Must have a Bachelor's Degree in a Human Service Field and at least 1 year of experience working with Adult Mental Health/SA population

Must have a valid NC Driver's License

Must be willing to travel in personal car to surrounding counties: New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender

Must be willing to deliver MH interventions face to face where client resides

Must be willing to complete all mandatory trainings after hire for this position. Company is responsible for setting up trainings for new hires

Job Type: Full-time

Primary Purpose of Position:
The primary purpose involves structured face-to-face scheduled therapeutic interventions to provide support and guidance in all areas of functional domains; Assertive Engagement of beneficiaries; Assessment and Service Planning;
Empirically Supportive Interventions and Psychotherapy; Family Life and Social Relationships; Health; Housing; Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment for Substance Abuse; Medication Support; Money Management and Entitlements;
Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Assistance with Activities of Daily Living; Vocational Services and Wellness Self-Management and Relapse Preventions

AP or QP Vocational Specialist Responsibilities:

A team shall be staffed with a full-time vocational specialist who shall meet either associate professional (AP) according to 10A NCAC 27G (1) or QP status according to 10A NCAC 27G .0104(19). Preference is for someone who has at least 1 year experience providing employment services or has advanced education that involved field training in vocational services. The vocational specialist shall provide evidence-based supported employment, also known as the Dartmouth Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Vocational specialists should provide direct employment services in a way that is consistent with the eight practice principles of IPS. Vocational specialists should not refer individuals to receive any type of vocational services or linkage by providers outside of the ACT team. For example, referrals to employment placement programs, sheltered workshops, or Psychosocial Rehabilitation. The primary outcome of vocation services is competitive employment, which is defined as jobs that pay at least minimum wage, which anyone can apply for and are not set aside for persons with disabilities. This may include temporary and seasonal jobs. The responsibilities of the vocational specialist are as follows:

a. engages the beneficiary on the topic of school or work, particularly competitive employment, educating them about their opportunities and the benefits of working and school;

b. completes a pre-vocational assessment that is focused on beneficiary’s strengths and preferences, and on-the-job assessments, where appropriate;

c. conducts job development, where the vocational specialist builds relationships with local businesses and educates them about the services that the vocational specialist provides, collects information about positions, and ideally determines potential for job carving options;

d. facilitates individualized job placement according to beneficiary’s preferences, per the evidence-based supportive employment model;

e. provides job coaching and ongoing supports, assisting the beneficiary in learning the job skills, navigating the work place, managing work relationships with other employees and supervisor;

f. provides benefits counseling directly, as well as connects beneficiaries to experts for more extensive benefits counseling as needed; this includes development of SSI/SSDI Work Incentives and NC Medicaid Buy-in: Health Coverage For Workers With Disabilities;

g. facilitates the Person-Centered Planning process for beneficiaries assigned to him or her; and

h. serves as a consultant and educator to fellow ACT team members on the topic of evidence-based supported employment, which is the Individual Placement and Support (IPS-SE) model.

Beneficiaries receiving ACT services shall have immediate access to vocational services from the ACT team. Vocational Specialists on ACT teams shall be the main provider of employment services for ACT beneficiaries and with the support and assistance from all ACT team members (example, all team members may provide ongoing support to beneficiaries who are employed). ACT vocational specialists shall collaborate and consult with IPS-SE Program staff to enhance job development opportunities and business networking opportunities as appropriate. Referrals to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) should only be made to access additional resources or supports that fall outside the scope of the ACT team’s responsibility or resources.

Required Core skills:

• Technical knowledge
• Cultural awareness
• Analytical skills
• Decision-making;
• Interpersonal skill
• Communication skills
• Clinical skills

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Psychiatry

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Adult Mental Health: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $21