SCOPE OF ROLE:

The Individual Placement & Support (IPS) Employment Specialist will be a member of several mobile multi-disciplinary treatment teams. The IPS Employment Specialist will play an important role and work with the assigned teams to provide ongoing individualized care to individuals with mental health diagnosis, substance use disorders and/or physical disabilities. As an IPS Employment Specialist, you will assist individuals in securing employment, utilizing the evidence-based practice of the IPS model. The IPS Employment Specialist will determine client’s readiness for employment, assess their skills, and collaborate on clients' cases with ACT Team specialists. The role of the IPS Employment Specialist will involve some direct care services including but not limited to client assessment, working with prospective employers to develop employment opportunities for the individual, and providing job coaching and benefits counseling to the individual.

     ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Skills

• Advocates for the rights and preferences for individuals within the ACT program.

• Assess the nature of IPS Employment and educational interests, as well as design interventions required to promote progress towards community integration, independence, career and education goals and trainings.
• Lead a work readiness or similar group educating program participants about the job market.
• Responsible for integrating IPS Employment goals and services with the tasks of all the ACT Team members.
• Completes vocation and education needs assessments by identifying history, supports, and immediate needs and recommend treatment objectives for the individual’s service.
• Support around job and education trainings, resumes, etc.
• Knowledge and demonstration of agency core values in day-to-day activities

Data and Accountability

• Spend at least 65% of their work hours off-site, in the community. Off-site, community locations include but are not limited to ACCES-VR offices, employment settings, libraries, schools and colleges, coffee shops, individuals’ homes, training sites, and time spent traveling to different community locations.
• Activities may include, but are not limited to, direct service provision including collaborative documentation and job development activities, such as networking with community employers.
• Provide rapid non-traditional employment opportunities to those individuals seeking such goals.
• Provide resources for individuals regarding Work Incentive Benefits for those on SSDI/SI who pursue vocational goals.
• Network with businesses and vocational programs to develop relationships for job placements.

• Ability to utilize electronic data systems (i.e. electronic records and computers).

• Ensures all documentations are completed in a timely manner and remain in compliance with agency and OMH regulations.

• Able to effectively collaborate with staff across the agency.
• Coordinate services with other specialists on the ACT Teams
• Escorts/ accompanies individual as needed on appointments related to scope of work
• Provide assistance through all phases of the IPS Employment service.
• Perform initial IPS Employment assessment on program participant within varying stages of their wellness within an ACT Team.
• Guide consumers in attaining and maintaining a professional image through mentorship and supportive counseling.
• Write resumes / Cover Letter’s with to program participant input.
• Refer consumers to employment programs and place program participant in jobs through job development.
• Assist program participants in maintaining their position through emotional support, advocacy, and regularly checking with the program participant to ensure that they are managing at their positions.
• Comprehensive ACT service activities include: Assessing and providing services to participants to address health and wellness, income support, education, IPS Employment training, employment and social supports.

*People with a lived experience of mental illness are encouraged to apply*

REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• People with a lived experience of mental illness are encouraged to apply
• Bachelors Degree in Human Service field (ie: psychology, social work) or related field (ie: human resources)
• Initial & on-going training in vocational services
• Initial & on-going training in benefits and financial management in relation to barriers to goals

Training and completion of all Center of Practice Innovation Individual Placement & Support training required by Office of Mental Health.

• An ability to travel independently, or with reasonable accommodations, throughout the community and outreach with local employers.
• Six (6) months of personal or professional experience in human services.

Experience in working with vocational needs of persons with disabilities

·         Must have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

·         Must possess strong IPS Employment assessment, individual and group IPS Employment/job preparation skills. 

• Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

·         Bilingual in any language is a plus, but not required.

·         Experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.

• Knowledge of work incentives and government benefits ( SSI, SSDI, Ticket to Work, PASS Plans, ACCESS-VR ) Experience understanding various evidence-based models and theories pertaining to psycho-education, motivational interviewing, serious mental illness and recovery.

S:US IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Join a team of employees who cares about the wellbeing of others.  We believe in fostering a culture built on our core values:  respect, integrity, support, maximizing individual potential and continuous quality improvement. 

S:US is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. S:US is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities, including allowance of the use of services animals. To request reasonable accommodation or if you believe such a request was improperly handled or denied, contact the Director of Benefits & Compensation at MyMedicalLeave@sus.org.