What are the responsibilities and job description for the ACT Employment Specialist position at Southwest Network Company Brand?
Most people with serious mental illness want to work and yet too often find little support in traditional community mental health programs. As an employment specialist on an ACT team, you will provide our members with the support they need to discover paths of self-sufficiency and recovery rather than disability and dependence. You’ll provide direct job development training and employment support services, as well as teaching activities to help members build their skills and ability to live independently. You’ll serve as the employment expert for the team and take the lead in service planning for rehabilitation and pre-employment services, and interface with Rehabilitation Service Administration programs and services as appropriate.
The ACT model is a service delivery model, not a case management program. You will provide direct services to a small caseload of members and develop plans to help them reach their goals, and review each member’s progress daily. You will work with the ACT clinical team to engage, educate, communicate, and coordinate care with each member, their family, behavioral, medical and dental health care providers, community resources, and others to ensure that all services prescribed in each member’s individualized service plan are implemented. You must be passionate about pursuing best practice outcomes for members in all areas of their lives, including continuing education, employment, community tenure, social network, independent living status, and decreased substance use.
A complete job description is available upon request.
REQUIREMENTS
Education, Certification, and Experience Requirements
- Must possess one of the following:
- Master's or bachelor's degree with a behavioral health or related field
- Bachelor's degree in a non-related field PLUS one year related experience
- Associate's degree in any field PLUS one year related experience
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate PLUS three years' related experience
- Minimum (1) one year working with seriously mentally ill adults required; previous experience working on an ACT team or equivalent experience preferred.
- Minimum (1) one year experience working with job development and/or employment services and resources required.
- Must maintain current CPR, First Aid, and Therapeutic Options certifications (offered through Southwest Network)
- Must maintain a valid Arizona driver's license and car insurance
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
COMPENSATION and BENEFITS
- This position is offered at a fair, competitive salary.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Health Savings and Flex Spending account options
- Paid sick, vacation and holiday time (10 paid holidays per year!)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Retirement plan (403b) with company match
- Disability insurance
- Basic life insurance with the option to purchase supplemental insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Discounts
When you consider everything—the salary, the benefits, the ongoing training and support we offer, and the impact you’ll have on the lives of others—it could be the right opportunity for you.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of education, employment, driving record and auto insurance, and completion of a criminal background check and drug testing.
Southwest Network is an equal opportunity employer.
ABOUT OUR ADULT SERVICES DIVISION
For adults with serious mental illness, recovery and success in life depends on good mental and physical health, as well as having satisfying relationships, safe housing, purpose in life, a sense of belonging, and hope for the future. We help people define their personal goals for recovery and manage their symptoms so they can achieve those goals. With our integrated health services, care and support, they discover strengths they didn’t know they had and are able to build futures filled with hope, meaning, and wellness.
Our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program focuses on providing intense, frequent, face-to-face services to members with persistent and severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Its primary goal is recovery through community treatment and habilitation. Most services are provided in the community, when and where members need them. ACT services reduce crises and helps members learn skills that are needed to integrate into the community and live independently without supports. This evidence-based practice helps improve outcomes for people who are most at-risk of homelessness, psychiatric hospitalization, and institutional recidivism.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST NETWORK
Southwest Network provides integrated behavioral and physical health services, caring for both the mind and body for whole health and wellness. We provide treatment programs for seriously mentally ill adults and children and adolescents with complex emotional and behavioral needs. We are committed to their recovery, and we work together to offer hope, support individual goals, encourage self-sufficiency, and change lives. We do whatever is needed for the individuals and families we serve.
We truly understand how important our employees are to those they care for, and how critical they are to our mission. As one of our employees, we will look after as many of your professional and personal needs as we can and make sure your work environment is productive, yet pleasant and informal. We are committed to offering you opportunities for personal and career growth, and we value and reward innovation, collaboration, dedication, and strength.
