At a Glance
- Tasks: Support clients in their recovery journey through counselling and skill-building activities.
- Company: Join Catholic Charities, a leader in community support and mental health services.
- Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive benefits, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible work schedule and opportunities for advancement within the organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career in a meaningful field.
- Qualifications: High school diploma and experience with mental health consumers required.
Description
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: At Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, your knowledge and service in areas such as immigrants and refugees, mental health, social work, employment and adult education, legal and financial services, health care, food assistance, shelter and housing, developmental disabilities and prison outreach can make a profound difference in the lives of many. Through more than 50 programs across the district and five surrounding counties, Catholic Charities is opening doors to help and hope. At CCADW, we continue to build an inclusive culture that celebrates a diverse workforce. We offer so much more than just a job. We offer careers. We take pride in our “promote from within” culture. We offer professional development, a comprehensive benefits package, and a passion for building and motivating world class, high performing teams. Explore your career opportunity with Catholic Charities.
Join us in Inspiring Hope and Building Futures.
JOB SUMMARY: The Community Support Specialist helps clients receiving treatment through the ACT program understand their capabilities and develop goals toward recovery and rehabilitation. The position provides mental health services in a community-based mental health rehabilitative services program that is based on the Recovery Model to adults who have mental illnesses.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide various rehabilitative services such as individual and group counseling.
- Provide activities of daily living (ADL) skill building, advocacy, linkages and collaborative services in the community to maximize stability and address all aspects of individuals’ life. Assist consumers of the ACT program with obtaining entitlements and benefits.
- Provide concrete training in the development of Daily Living Skills, Travel Training, Social Skills, and Independent Living Skills.
- Provide services consistent with individual recovery plan. Regularly participate in the development and update of each assigned consumer’s Individual Recovery Plan (IRP) and Crisis Plan (CP).
- Follow up and participate in the mental health related issues as it relates to ACT consumer care and treatment; providing crisis/symptom assessment, intervention and individual support therapy when needed.
- Continuously maintain an average of 5 billable hours for every working day after 90 days of employment (holiday, sick, personal and vacation are excluded). Document accurately and completely all services (billable and non-billable) in Credible same day provided.
- Attend all ACT Team Morning Rounds meetings.
- Perform all other job-related duties as assigned.
Requirements
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
- High school diploma or GED.
- Two years of experience working with consumers with mental health issues.
- Familiarity with mental health services in the Washington DC area.
SKILLS and COMPETENCIES:
- Driving is required. Must have valid local driver’s license and clean driving record.
- Skill in the use of computer systems (preferably in a PC, Windows-based operating environment) and MS Office products. Ability to learn Catholic Charities’ electronic health record (Credible).
Benefits Package:
- Robust Professional development and training opportunities
- Medical, prescriptions, dental and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Company-paid and supplemental life insurance
- Short Term/ Long Term disability
- Group Life Insurance and AD&D
- Other Volunteer Insurance Benefits
- Flexible spending accounts
- Paid vacation, sick and personal leave
- 11 paid holidays
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee referral bonus program
- Parenting leave
- Pet’s Insurance
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Community Support Specialist 1, ACT employer: Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With benefits such as free clinical supervision, health insurance, and tuition reimbursement, employees are empowered to develop their skills while making a meaningful impact in the community. The hybrid work model allows for flexibility, making it an ideal environment for those seeking a rewarding career in mental health services.
Contact Details:
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Support Specialist 1, ACT
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Support Specialist 1, ACT
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
