Community Specialist

Felton Institute•San Francisco, CA

7h•$36 - $38•Onsite

About The Position

Community Specialist Temporary Senior Division Agency Overview Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services that transform lives. Our organization offers 60+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our programs combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where we encourage the use of professional development, that staff can utilize throughout their career. Division and Program Description Felton’s Senior Division specializes in a full continuum of mental health services for older adults in outpatient clinics, the community, and supportive housing sites, as well as programs in employment training, economic security, case management, advocacy, and social connection and inclusion. Felton’s Clinical Housing Support Program provides behavioral health and other onsite support services to assist tenants at the Richardson and Rene Cazenave Apartments to maintain housing stability and improve access to resources. All tenants were formerly homeless adults and older adults with co-occurring mental health, substance abuse, and medical problems, and limited experience living independently. Support services include individual and group behavioral health counseling and case management, psychiatry, primary care nursing case management and medication monitoring, referral to and coordination with primary medical care, substance abuse and psychiatric treatment, benefit counseling and client advocacy, meal programs, health education, community building, tenant organizing, and all other case management functions. Felton is committed to implementing evidence-based practices and behavioral health research within its community-based mental health services. Job Description Under the supervision of the Program Manager, this position participates in a multidisciplinary team serving tenants of Rene Cazenave and Richardson Apartments many of whom have severe mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Bringing lived experience, the Community Specialist works directly with the interdisciplinary clinical team to provide outreach and engagement, rapport building, and case management services including linkage to medical care and other services. This person will also provide support individuals to learn independent living skills, communication skills, social skills and other necessary skills to support independence, maintain housing stability and support mental health recovery. The Community Specialist will document all client encounters in a timely manner using appropriate documentation procedures for MediCal billing. The Community Specialist also will support client access to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other independent living tasks as the needs are identified. This person will also bring expertise regarding community resources, recreational opportunities, and other connections to services, formal and informal, participants, and will work with the staff to develop the center in innovative ways to reduce social isolation and increase mental health.

Requirements

Passionate about working with older adults who may be isolated, have mental health issues, have cognitive impairments, substance abuse issues, or other needs that are not being met
Demonstrated outreach, rapport building, and engagement experience
Familiar with and/or ability to provide targeted case management services and mental health focused skills building services
Ability to travel frequently in SF and work in office, community, home, and hospital settings
Lived experience with mental health services/peer certified/trained preferred/older adult preferred
Previous work experience in social services or related field; working knowledge of social service resources in San Francisco for older adults preferred
Previous experience leading activities and groups preferred
Driver’s license preferred.
Demonstrated computer skills in word processing (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel) and ability to learn electronic charting.
Strong skills in working independently and also as a team member
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to follow instructions and work under the direction of others
Time management skills and ability to prioritize projects and follow through
Problem solving skills: able to discern when to consult, when to make independent decisions, and able to offer suggestions for solutions.
Openness to learn, consult, and receive constructive feedback
Ability to be a team player with a welcoming attitude
Available to work business hours, Monday through Friday, predominantly in office settings.

Responsibilities

Work closely with interdisciplinary team.
Perform intakes, assessments, and service plan development for older adults with psychiatric and dual diagnosis disabilities in a Felton clinic, community, and/or in their homes.
Provide clinical case management, which includes individual or group therapy, case management, connection to primary care, and coordination with other providers.
Maintains clinical records of each client contact or service in accordance with mandated standards of Medi-Cal, Medicare, and County Behavioral Health Services, and meets requirements of timely access for client care, documentation, and billing requirements.
Participates in team meetings and case conferences through presentation of cases, discussion of clinical issues and exchange of information and ideas.
Provide crisis intervention to prevent hospitalization, and if necessary, facilitates involuntary hospitalization.
Commits to ongoing training, including developing specializations in evidence-based treatments and practices and the geriatric specialization of mental health services, as provided by the Senior Division and Felton Institute.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.