Employment Specialist; 4417-201-N

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For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens, and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness.

STATEMENT OF THE JOB:
The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialist will provide intensive in-home and community-based services to help individuals living with severe mental illness achieve employment-related goals and work at regular jobs of their choosing. The IPS Employment Specialist will support the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE) programs via implementation of evidence-based supported employment methods to assist individuals in meeting and sustaining their employment goals and working towards greater financial security. Under the supervision of the Clinical Director, The IPS Employment Specialist will implement key principles of IPS in Office of Mental Health (OMH) Rehabilitative Programs such as: integrating employment services with metal health treatment, supporting achievement of competitive integrated employment, systematic job development and placement, benefits counseling, and job coaching, all within a person-centered model of care with zero exclusions, meaning all clients are able to receive this service regardless of previous history employment history, psychiatric history or current barriers. The IPS Employment Specialist plays an important role in rehabilitation programs, contributing significant value to multidisciplinary teams, such as ACT and CORE Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) teams. The IPS Employment Specialist will conduct assertive outreach and engagement, utilize motivational interviewing and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) to support vocational and educational. 
* Work collaboratively with ACT team and CORE PSR members and function as a vital part of interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary community-based rehabilitation teams.
* Responsible for providing services to clients in their home environment, community settings, provider offices, employment settings, and additional locations as needed. 65% of work hours must take place in the community.
* Responsible for providing direct support services to clients with psychiatric diagnoses, co-occurring substance use, chronic physical health problems and complex social needs who have identified employment goals.
* Identify an individual’s interest in education, vocational training, and competitive employment as well as interventions required to promote progress towards goals.  
* Assess and provide direct services to participants in the following areas: vocational/career assessment, benefits/income support counseling, vocational training, job development, job coaching.  
* Identify services individuals should receive based on assessment of education, vocational and work history, and a person’s immediate needs; recommend treatment objectives for an individual’s service plan.  
* Provide individual employment and vocational counseling. Provide assistance through all phases of the vocational service.  
* Guide individuals in creating a professional image through mentorship and supportive counseling. 
* Responsible for integrating vocational goals and services with the tasks of all team members.  
* Assist with creation of resumes and CVs; assists with completion of applications, interview preparation. 
* Refer individuals to employment programs and assist with job development activities.
* Assist in the development of community support systems and networks via travel throughout the communities of Queens and Brooklyn to outreach local employers.
* Work collaboratively with ACT Employment Specialist and Vocations specialist under CORE PSR to ensure all individuals served in rehabilitative programs have full access to IPS.
* Participate in ACT/CORE PSR team meetings, service and treatment plan development and reviews, and other clinical team meetings when appropriate. Share client progress updates with the ACT/CORE PSR teams during team meetings and case conferences or service plan reviews.
* Collaborate with ACT and CORE PSR teams around work readiness groups.  
* Use motivational interviewing, recovery and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services.
* Assist individuals with symptom management skills; identify and clarify rehabilitation and recovery goals.
* Commitment to person-centered treatment strategies, upholding participants’ rights, and self-determination in service provision.
* Complete required documentation and reporting in the New York Employment Services System (NYESS) to report on employment activities and progress of all individuals served by the IPS Employment Specialist.
* Complete required onboarding and monthly training via the IPS Learning Collaborative in CPI.
* Complete and signs progress notes, assessments, care plans, incident reports, and other required documentation in accordance with the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) regulations, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) guidelines, and Medicaid billing standards and regulations.
* Complete all quantitative and qualitative documentation within time limits set by CCNS and in the format required. 
* Document IPS interventions, services, and changes in treatment plans in EHR, consistent with agency, regulatory and licensing entities.
* Represent the agency at internal and external provider meetings.
* Participation as needed to Agency’s response to serious incidents and critical debriefing. 
* Maintains up to date knowledge of relevant funding source regulations and reporting criteria.
* Participates in CCBQ Agency meetings and workshops/trainings as required/requested.
* Adheres to all funding source standards in addition to the Agency (Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens) policies and procedures; seeks guidance/clarification from their immediate supervisor regarding interpretation, applicability, and implementation.

QUALIFICATIONS:
* Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services field. 
* One year of training and/or experience in vocational assessment, job exploration, and skills development in choosing, getting and maintaining employment, employment counseling or vocational rehabilitation. 
* Six-months of experience working in human services with individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
* Apply for and maintain valid NPI number upon hire.
* Eligible for full and unconditional participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs.
* Ability to evaluate and intervene in crisis situations & available for crisis consultation.
* Bilingual Spanish/English speaking preferred. 
* Knowledge of Microsoft office applications, including Excel.
* Competency in written, interpersonal, verbal and computational skills to present and document records in accordance with program standards. 
* Regularly required to talk, hear, walk, stand, & sit. 
* Able to lift up to 10 pounds. 
* Able to travel to multiple locations as needed. 
* Able to work flexible hours and days – including weekends/evenings/holidays according to needs of program. 

BENEFITS:
* We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including:
* Generous time off (Vacation/ Personal Days/ Sick Days/ Paid Holidays annually)
* Medical,
* Dental
* Vision
* Retirement Savings with Agency Match
* Transit
* Flexible Spending Account
* Life insurance
* Public Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer
* Training Series and other additional voluntary benefits.
For more information on our organization, please visit our website at: www.ccbq.org EOE/AA.