Community Support Specialist - Oldham County

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Teaches, models, and coaches activities of daily living (ADL) (e.g., personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, money management, educational and vocational goal-setting, nutrition needs); monitors performance of ADL skills and provides therapeutic feedback.
• Teaches psychoeducation classes on recovery (e.g., medication side effects, ADL, communication skills, stress management strategies).
• Plans and facilitates community-based activities (e.g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, leisure/recreation/socialization); facilitates access to community resources (e.g., AA/NA meetings, school, job placement).
• Contributes to safe and therapeutic environment by practicing verbal de-escalation and, as authorized, other behaviour management techniques.
• Serves as "ambassador" of SCS and its clients by integrating clients into the community and educating community members about people with disabilities and about SCS's services and programming.
• Collaborates with community systems on behalf of individuals served (e.g., school, landlord, family, transportation provider, employer).
• Provides transportation (e.g., driving SCS van or personal vehicle), ensuring adherence to standard safety practices (e.g., driver certification, seat belts, child safety seats); teaches and facilitates use of public transportation systems.
• Provides personal care, as needed (e.g., personal hygiene, toileting, laundry, meal preparation, safe eating techniques).
• Administers First Aid and CPR, as needed.
• Supervises self-administered medication, serving as the program's "point person" for supervised self-administered medication (SSAM), or administers medication, depending on the specific clinical program's protocols.
• Identifies assigned clients' food and/or medication allergies and exercises reasonable care to avoid exposure to allergens.
• Communicates information relevant to care, treatment, and services, with other SCS staff members and, as authorized, with non-SCS providers, to ensure appropriate level and quality of care.
• May take responsibility for specific assignments within the program (e.g., Clubhouse food program, admissions at Crisis Stabilization Unit).
• May provide limited on-the-job training to Community Support Providers, including answering questions, offering opportunities to shadow and observe, and explaining basic information about the site's programming.
• Documents services and care provided by timely completing various forms in accordance with SCS and regulatory standards.
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, consistent with SCS procedures and state and federal law.
• Attends and participates in all required staff and service planning meetings and trainings.
• Maintains and enhances skills for working with clients.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

EDUCATION

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of all required trainings within 6 months of hire date.
• Successfully complete, within six months of hire, the department led or approved training program per Medicaid regulations.

EXPERIENCE

• One year full time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of mental health or co-occurring disorder.
• Formal documentation by supervisor of ability to function independently as direct support professional and of proficiency in providing direct support services.
• Ability to provide caring, nurturing attention and care to individuals with disabilities, including those who are medically fragile and/or have intense behavioural needs and/or otherwise pose a high level of risk, because of complexity of treatment/service needs and/or a complex diagnostic profile.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate with verbal and nonverbal individuals.
• Teaching skills.
• Patience and empathy.
• Maturity and judgment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS

• Position involves considerable physical exertion, lifting a maximum of 100 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May include frequent lifting of patients.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Valid driver's license.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance.
• Positive driving record.

We continually help our community and employees flourish... one life at a time. As a Seven Counties Services employee there are many benefits to enjoy.

Health & Wellness

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability - Company Paid

Financial Wellbeing

• Competitive Compensation Packages
• Life Insurance - Company Paid
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - Company Paid
• 403b Retirement Plan with Company Funded Matching
• Retirement and Financial Planning Services

Career Development and Growth

• Tuition Assistance Plans
• Loan Forgiveness options through federal programs (National Health Service Corps & Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Clinical Supervision toward licensure and reimbursement for certain license applications
• At Seven Counties Services training is one of our highest priorities. We provide company paid professional training for various skills, certifications, and continuing education
• Opportunities for growth and movement - We encourage our employees to consider new growth opportunities with us
• Leadership Academy for our rising stars, supervisors, and leaders
• Seven Counties Services and Center for Clinical Excellence provide staff with industry best practices and processes

Work Life Balance

• Paid Time Off - Generous PTO for Vacations, Illness, Personal Days, Etc. (10 Paid Holidays)
• Flexible Work Schedules to promote a Healthy Work Life Balance
• Employee Assistance Program - assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being

Seven Counties is the provider of choice for mental and behaviour health services in and around the Louisville Metro. Over 1,400 employees work in 25+ locations throughout Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties; making sure that the 31,000 people we serve annually have the best chance of living their best lives.

At Seven Counties, we give our staff the opportunity to do what they do best with continued training, effective mentoring and competitive salaries and benefits.

In an effort to protect our employees, clients and community, we require the COVID and Influenza vaccinations for all employees.