What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vocational Specialist - ACT position at Rappahannock Area Community Services Board?
Summary
The Vocational Specialist provides vocational assessment, rehabilitation and referral services to persons with severe and persistent mental illness as part of the ACT, a mobile, interdisciplinary program serving those with serious and persistent mental illness who have been unable to achieve full community integration through less intensive systems of service delivery. The incumbent assesses individual vocational skills, develops vocational, transitional, and community placement opportunities, provides training instructions and counseling and/or supervises individuals with persistent serious mental illness in connection with employment assignments. Assists with program development, and provides direct care involving the personal, social, and pre-employment habilitation of individuals in ACT.
Essential Functions/Principal Duties And Responsibilities Of Position
Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation practices relevant to persons with serious and persistent mental illness, including educational and vocational assessment; knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses, symptoms and their effect on employment potential and maintenance; knowledge of community employment and training resources; knowledge of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies, particularly related to stressors in employment settings; knowledge of agency policies and practices related to documentation and the electronic health record; skill at identifying preferences and strengths of participants with respect to employment; skill at engaging community employment resources to expand opportunities to relevant population; ability to prepare and maintain detailed records and prepare related reports.
FORMAL TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE EXEMPLIFYING KSAs
Master's Degree in the Behavioral Sciences or Certified Rehabilitation Counselor preferred with considerable professional work experience in employment rehabilitation work with individuals with severe mental illness; or BA/BS degree in Behavioral Sciences with minimum of four-years direct service and vocational service experience. QMHP required.
LICENSURE: Valid VA driver's license with acceptable driving record.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the use of sensory skills in order to communicate and interact effectively with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Work is performed in an office environment. The incumbent may be exposed to hostile and abusive clients. Evening hours will be scheduled when there is other active client service occurring at the clinic. Physical capability to use and operate various items of office related equipment effectively, such as, but not limited to, a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling.
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships require excellent communication, social and interpersonal skills, tact and the use of specialized techniques to elicit information from and convey information to clients including hostile and abusive individuals and client families; represent the agency, program and individual to clinical professionals or other service providers, governmental organizations and regulatory agencies, law enforcement and judicial authorities, or other community stakeholders concerning client treatment, care coordination and programming; lead meetings, conduct briefings and make presentations.
RACSB maintains a drug-free workplace environment. All candidates who receive conditional offers of employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check, including criminal history, driving record, and verification of credentials. Additionally, employees are subject to random drug testing throughout their employment. Our comprehensive screening program reflects our commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy workplace and providing high-quality services to our community.
The Vocational Specialist provides vocational assessment, rehabilitation and referral services to persons with severe and persistent mental illness as part of the ACT, a mobile, interdisciplinary program serving those with serious and persistent mental illness who have been unable to achieve full community integration through less intensive systems of service delivery. The incumbent assesses individual vocational skills, develops vocational, transitional, and community placement opportunities, provides training instructions and counseling and/or supervises individuals with persistent serious mental illness in connection with employment assignments. Assists with program development, and provides direct care involving the personal, social, and pre-employment habilitation of individuals in ACT.
Essential Functions/Principal Duties And Responsibilities Of Position
- Assesses and evaluates individuals in ACT for employment training placements.
- Supports individuals with employment retention.
- Supervises, supports, and facilitates the placement and job duties of agency Peer Support Specialists/Coaches.
- Counsels and instructs program individuals with regard to psychosocial/vocational skills development.
- Develops and implements vocational development treatment plans in concert with other treatment providers.
- Manages developed job placement sites by serving as liaison between the business community and individuals.
- Communicates regularly with other ACT team members.
- Collaborates with Department of Rehabilitation Services counselors and other employment service based agencies and develops employment partnerships in the community.
- Assist individuals with referrals, eligibility procedures for additional services (independent living & benefits planning assistance).
- Provides work-site training and supervision to program individuals.
- Understands government employment initiatives.
- Documents and prepares records and reports relating to individual psychosocial and vocational assessment, development and behavior.
- Oversees volunteer, supported employment and competitive job placements with area employers.
- Develops and conducts group vocational training activities.
- Maintains inventories of vocational training supplies and materials.
- Monitors progress in employment or educational settings, communicates with employers and advocates for individuals in the resolution of difficulties.
- Coordinates with other ACT team members to facilitate the provision of medical services, such as delivering and monitoring medications, scheduling and providing transportation to appointments, including those with medical practitioners, family and community resources.
- Participates in team meetings, case reviews and supervision.
- Maintains all clinical records in accordance with licensure and program standards.
- Provides assessment and intervention during normal work hours as well as part of the ACT emergency phone rotation;
- Does related work as required.
Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation practices relevant to persons with serious and persistent mental illness, including educational and vocational assessment; knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses, symptoms and their effect on employment potential and maintenance; knowledge of community employment and training resources; knowledge of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies, particularly related to stressors in employment settings; knowledge of agency policies and practices related to documentation and the electronic health record; skill at identifying preferences and strengths of participants with respect to employment; skill at engaging community employment resources to expand opportunities to relevant population; ability to prepare and maintain detailed records and prepare related reports.
FORMAL TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE EXEMPLIFYING KSAs
Master's Degree in the Behavioral Sciences or Certified Rehabilitation Counselor preferred with considerable professional work experience in employment rehabilitation work with individuals with severe mental illness; or BA/BS degree in Behavioral Sciences with minimum of four-years direct service and vocational service experience. QMHP required.
LICENSURE: Valid VA driver's license with acceptable driving record.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the use of sensory skills in order to communicate and interact effectively with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Work is performed in an office environment. The incumbent may be exposed to hostile and abusive clients. Evening hours will be scheduled when there is other active client service occurring at the clinic. Physical capability to use and operate various items of office related equipment effectively, such as, but not limited to, a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling.
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships require excellent communication, social and interpersonal skills, tact and the use of specialized techniques to elicit information from and convey information to clients including hostile and abusive individuals and client families; represent the agency, program and individual to clinical professionals or other service providers, governmental organizations and regulatory agencies, law enforcement and judicial authorities, or other community stakeholders concerning client treatment, care coordination and programming; lead meetings, conduct briefings and make presentations.
RACSB maintains a drug-free workplace environment. All candidates who receive conditional offers of employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check, including criminal history, driving record, and verification of credentials. Additionally, employees are subject to random drug testing throughout their employment. Our comprehensive screening program reflects our commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy workplace and providing high-quality services to our community.
