Supported employment specialist, psychiatry

Job Requirements

Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, the Supported Employment Specialist will provide vocational rehabilitation for people with serious mental illnesses that emphasizes helping them obtain competitive work in the community and providing the supports necessary to ensure their success in the workplace. SE will help consumers find jobs that pay competitive wages in integrated settings (i.e., with other people who don’t necessarily have disabilities) in the community.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Performs supported employment services for clients in the community in accordance with departmental procedures and in line with the State of Maryland EBP certification requirements.
• Job Development is performed and begins as soon as the client expresses a desire to work. Develops activities that integrate the client with non-psychiatrically disabled co-workers, such as, company sponsored recreational activities, job fairs.
• Assists in providing outreach services that may include, phone/home visits, transportation of clients to and from program and on the job coaching/support as needed and at the consumer’s request.
• Provides Clinical Coordination Services as defined by the EBP guidelines to integrate supported employment efforts with the mental health treatment.
• Completes all daily visit, monthly summary and semi-annual documentation as required by EBP and program guidelines.

Work Experience

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in in mental health or social services, business, personnel management, or vocational services is required. Experience working with people with serious mental illnesses, experience with vocational services and knowledge of the work world are preferred. Two years professional experience performing counseling, crisis intervention, or equivalent related experience in human services, marketing, public relations or business, is required. Working knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs and general knowledge and experience in job development/experience is preferred. Possession or access to an automobile along with Maryland state driver’s license is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of emotional factors and their impact on vocational behavior and the labor market.
• General knowledge of personal computer in order to enter data on vocational services provided and generate reports from existing software programs and to complete documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Knowledge of counseling skills, job market, and clinical, social and emotional factors of mental illness that may influence employment success.
• Ability to work as an effective team player is required.
• Ability to provide strong advocacy for persons facing challenges in the work force is required.
• Effective verbal, written communication, listening and interpersonal skills are necessary to work with clients, employers, case managers, therapists and psychiatrists.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the client populations(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the client’s requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

Patient Safety

• Ensures client safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit client safety initiatives.
• Takes action to correct observed risks to client safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.