The Mental Health Specialist is a highly experienced professional responsible for providing leadership, expertise, and guidance in the field of mental health treatment and harm reduction strategies. They play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and evaluating transition plans for clients who are ready to step-down to a lower level of care or graduate from the team altogether, as well as providing training and consultation to other professionals in the field. They work primarily with clients on Flex ACT identified on the ACT Lite caseload.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Skills

Provide expert knowledge and guidance on assessments, diagnosis, and treatment interventions, ensuring best practices are followed for the Flexible ACT Team model
Develop and deliver training programs to educate staff, community workers, and stakeholders on best practices for transition and recovery, including the latest research, treatment modalities, and harm reduction strategies.
Have a strong understanding of substance use disorder assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
Conducts transition needs assessments amongst individuals served

Extensive knowledge of evidence-based practices, treatment modalities, and harm reduction strategies 

Data and Accountability

Develops, conducts, and monitors treatment interventions for specific target populations and ensure these interventions are incorporated into treatment plans
Performs consumer centered, comprehensive assessments to determine needed services for all consumers; develops both initial and ongoing treatment plans; assigns the most appropriate staff to the individual treatment team and actively participates in all activities in revising treatment plans as the participant’s needs change
Conducts qualitative field visits to ensure consumers needs are concerns are being met in their living environment
Complete Progress Notes, which should be entered into system within 24-48hrs of event date
Support around facilitating groups, as needed.

Compliance

Ensures program operates in accordance with contractual requirements and other applicable regulations, including program standards and performance improvement plans
Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver training programs and presentations
Stay abreast of current Flexible ACT policies, regulations, and guidelines at the local, state/provincial, and national levels. Advocate for evidence-based policies and contribute to the development and implementation of effective strategies to address the needs of consumers.
Participates in quality improvement process, administrative meetings, team meetings, in-service trainings, client staffing and case reviews.

Operations

Participate in daily morning meetings and case conferences to discuss overall consumer well being and/or any issues that may arise
Performs on call duties for crisis intervention and rotation of on call telephone
Ensure all documentation is completed in a timely manner in accordance with Agency, & State Regulations
Applies time management skills to work effectively within given deadlines.  Organizes own time and prioritizes workload effectively.  Uses resources wisely.

External Relations

Maintain relationships with outpatient and inpatient programs, housing programs, as well as continuing to build relationships with organizations that may be able to assist SUS consumers who need other services.
Performs other related work as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

·         Must meet criteria for para professional staff based on ACT Guidelines (ie: MHC, MSW)

·         Master’s degree in social work, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or a related field

·         Must have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

Must have 2 years or more experience working with dually diagnosed individuals

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

·         Proficient in MS Word/Excel

·         Bilingual in any language a plus not required.

·         Strong clinical skills and knowledge base of clinical care standards

·         Strong organizational skills and timely follow-up to manage complex tasks