Community Support Specalist

BHG Careers•Kansas City, MO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Behavioral Health Group (BHG) is a leading provider of opioid addiction treatment services, offering medication-assisted treatment and counseling in an outpatient setting. BHG is committed to the belief that addiction is a brain disease, not a moral failing, and that recovery is possible with hope, respect, and caring. The Community Support Specialist will inspire hope, employ a multidisciplinary approach to care, and assist patients in identifying and seeking treatment for underlying health conditions that perpetuate addictive behavior. The role focuses on progress and recovery, helping patients achieve independent functioning and rehabilitation through a community-based model and individualized treatment plans. Evidence-based interventions will be used to develop essential life skills, and patient care will emphasize personal strengths, skills, and harm reduction using motivational approaches that promote self-advocacy and participation in recovery. The specialist will facilitate and support recovery by helping patients define recovery concepts, develop and attain recovery goals, identify needs, strengths, skills, and resources, and learn to overcome obstacles. Education will be provided on substance use disorders, including symptoms, triggers, cravings, and medication effects. Individual assistance will be given to patients adhering to their prescription medication regimen. Services will be provided in patients' homes and other community settings, encouraging recovery efforts, independence, self-care, and responsibility. The specialist will participate in developing individual treatment and rehabilitation plans, provide individual support for emergency services (financial, medical, housing), and follow up on referrals. Advanced knowledge of psychological concepts, evidence-based interventions, and coordination of mental health and other community services is required. Ongoing assessments of patient status, including strengths, progress, and barriers, are necessary. Clear documentation of services provided, patient needs, interventions, progress, providers, dates, times, and patient responses is essential. Identifying relapse risk factors and developing relapse prevention plans are also key responsibilities.

Requirements

An Associate of Applied Science in Human Services or Behavioral Health from an approved institution is required
Must have reliable transportation and a valid Driver’s License
One-on-one or group services with a focus on rehabilitation/habitation and recovery/resiliency OR Encourage the use of natural resources, and teach/model patients how to cope/manage psychiatric, developmental, and/or substance abuse issues OR Support patient’s efforts to find/maintain employment/education, and successfully function in families and communities OR Assist patients to meet their goals and objectives identified in their Individual Treatment Plan
Must have sufficient knowledge of the substance abuse population , treatment planning and the field of human social services to work toward the rehabilitation of the patient community
Aptitude for science backed decision making and use proper judgment with confidential and sensitive issues
Background of dealing appropriately with patients and team members in stressful or other undesirable situations with an ability to seek direction from supervisors when necessary
Efficient Self-starter with strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills
High integrity and sound judgement; able to react quickly and make effective decisions
Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
Ability to work independently and under pressure while handling multiple tasks simultaneously
Demonstrate basic computer /word processing skills

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or other related human service fields of study is recommended

Responsibilities

Inspire hope that addiction is not a moral failing but a mental disease that can be overcome
Employ an individualized and multidisciplinary approach to care with all medical staff, supporting the “shared” patient with hope, respect and care
Help patients identify and seek treatment for underlying mental and physical health conditions that perpetuate addictive behavior with a focus on progress and recovery
Assist patients with their goals to attain independent functioning and rehabilitation using a community-based model and an individualized treatment plan
Employ evidence-based interventions to develop interpersonal/social, family, community and independent living skills
Provide patient care with an emphasis on personal strength, skills, and harm reduction while using motivational approaches that promote self-advocacy and participation in a patient’s recovery
Facilitate and support recovery through activities including defining recovery concepts in order to develop and attain recovery goals
Identify needs, strengths, skills, and resources while teaching patients how to use them, identify obstacles to recovery and find ways to overcome them
Provide education for substance use disorders that include symptoms, triggers, cravings, and the benefits and side effects of prescribed medications
Provide individual assistance to patients adhering to their prescription medication regimen
Work independently to provide services in the patient’s homes and other community settings unless otherwise specified by the treatment plan
Encourage and promote recovery efforts, independence, self-care, and responsibility
Participate in the ongoing development of specific individual treatment rehabilitation plans for each patient on his/her/their caseload
Provide individual support to patients who need emergency services such as, but not limited to, financial, medical, and housing assistance and follow up with referrals provided to re-engage and promote recovery/resiliency efforts when appointments are missed
Use advanced knowledge of psychological concepts , evidence-based interventions, coordination of mental health services and/or other services provided by practitioners and community partners
Make ongoing assessments of the status of all patients assigned to his/her/their caseloads that include personal strengths, progress, and barriers to meeting their individual treatment goals
Clearly document the services provided to each patient including the patient’s need for services, all interventions provided, any progress or lack of with their treatment plan, a list of all providers, dates and times of all services, and the patient’s response to each service provided
Identify risk factors related to relapse and develop a plan with strategies to support recovery and prevent relapse.