Mental Health Specialist, Cultural Faith Based Empowerment Program

Description

Envision Unlimited is a full spectrum of care organization serving people with disabilities from infants to 80+ years old regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability to pay. Founded in Chicago in 1948, Envision Unlimited has a legacy of evolving care delivered with empathy, every time and everywhere.  Innovative services offered across Chicagoland and Central Illinois include community living options, novel day programs, behavioral health services, employment programs, respite for families, and foster care for children with disabilities. 

Summary:

The Mental Health Specialist is a member of the interdisciplinary team providing linkage case management and support to persons with mental illness identified by faith leaders or who self-refer. The MH Specialist will assist clients to locate the needed behavioral health and other services needed to remain in their communities. MH Specialist will be accessible via cellphone during work hours.

Essential Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

• Conduct brief needs assessments, to determine need/appropriateness for services, and coordinate linkage to services identified.
• Provide clients with referrals, linkages, follow-up services, and need resources such as housing, entitlements, educational, and guardianship services.
• Facilitate warm hand off with identified providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Assist clients to obtain medical benefits/insurance and SNAP status/approval as needed.
• Assist clients with transportation needs/issues, i.e. submitting approvals to First transit, Prime Care/ Paratransit contact etc.
• Maintain and update client’s pertinent information within the MH electronic care system i.e. face sheets, contacts, consents, and diagnoses.
• Achieve required productivity targets and complete documentation within assigned time frames.
• Provide information to houses of worship and other faith-based entities as requested to educate their members and coordinate and assure the appropriateness of services.
• Engage in outreach, education and marketing events which occur in evenings and weekends.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability with changes to program needs and schedule as the need arises.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

• Adhere to all the Policies and Procedures of Envision Unlimited.
• At all times, maintain confidentiality according to the Illinois Mental Health code and Confidentiality Act.
• Maintain a professional attitude in conduct, and when interacting with other staff, clients, and outside personnel. Demonstrate conduct and behaviors consistent with agency mission and policies.
• Be prepared to present information from outside training to clinical staff.
• Attend/complete agency trainings as required.
• Participate in/attend committee meetings as applicable.
• Attend special events for clients and assist as needed.
• Respond sensitively to the diverse populations of the agency, including persons with disabilities and/or mental illness.
• Punctuality- Arrives at work, meetings, and all work-related functions on time.
• Report any absence, tardiness, or schedule change to supervisor as soon as possible.
• Maintain appropriate attendance record using Paylocity.
• Attend individual weekly supervision at scheduled time, having prepared questions/concerns and ready to report on progress and productivity. Seek supervision as needed.
• Attend internal and/or external training when available and approved (minimum of 15 hours/year). Attend agency meetings as required.

Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees so classified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, physical requirements may include standing, walking, and sitting; seeing; hearing and listening; clear speech; dexterity and use of hands and fingers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment described here is representati