Community Support Specialist
About The Position
The Community Support Specialist (CSS) works as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team providing Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS), Behavioral Respite Care (RSP), and/or Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) services. The CSS provides direct support, advocacy, and assistance to people experiencing behavioral health challenges who meet New Mexico state criteria for Severe Mental Illness (SMI), Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), and Co-occurring Disorder (COD). The role helps clients and families achieve wellness, independence, and stability in their community by connecting them to services, encouraging skill development, and supporting their recovery goals. The CSS collaborates with behavioral health professionals, families, and other community resources and partners. TeamBuilders is a community-based behavioral health organization focused on providing unconditional care to adults, children, and families. The organization promotes work-life balance and creativity, encourages employees to pursue their passions and educational opportunities, and offers supervision and training. Employees are expected to pursue excellence in community service. The position provides support in school, home, and community settings as needed or directed, and requires travel throughout the service area. The role includes timely client assessment, service planning, activity notes, incident reporting, and other documentation in accordance with agency and applicable state and federal standards.
Requirements
- Meet one of the following education and experience requirements: a bachelor’s degree in a human services-related field and one year of experience working with adults with SMI; an associate degree in a human services-related field and two years of experience working with adults with SMI; a high school diploma or GED and three years of experience working with adults with SMI; or meet New Mexico’s minimum requirements for a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS).
- Experience working with individuals impacted by mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders.
- Obtain criminal records clearance at the local, state, and FBI levels.
- Maintain First Aid and CPR certifications.
- Maintain Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification.
- Demonstrate skills in teaching the curriculum to consumer family members.
- Have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance.
- Be willing and able to travel throughout the service area.
Responsibilities
- Follow and uphold TeamBuilders’ philosophy, policies, procedures, and standards of conduct.
- Comply with program service requirements and state regulations for care to children with SED, adults with SMI, and people with COD, including other chronic health conditions.
- Build helping partnerships with clients and collateral practitioners, including educational professionals, corrections personnel, child welfare workers, and natural supports, to accomplish service goals and objectives.
- Set and maintain professional boundaries to protect client safety and maintain a professional helping role.
- Document initial mental health or functional assessments identifying strengths, needs, and barriers within 72 hours of service rendering.
- Complete service activity notes within 24 hours of service rendering.
- Document and update service plans and team meeting forms as required; complete service plans within 72 hours of service rendering.
- Seek program and/or clinical supervision immediately regarding incidents, complete incident reports according to agency policy, and submit documentation promptly.
- Attend and participate in weekly supervision meetings, staff meetings, clinical seminars, and assigned training sessions.
- Initiate, complete, update, and maintain client documentation in accordance with agency and applicable state and federal standards.
- Coordinate, facilitate, and participate in team meetings to review client progress and needs.
- Participate in clinical seminars, supervision, CQI meetings, and assigned training.
- Submit completed documentation promptly as directed for billing and CQI purposes.
- Provide school-, home-, and community-based support services as needed or directed.
- Seek consultation and assistance when needed.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Benefits
- TeamBuilders offers supervision and training opportunities to all staff.
- TeamBuilders promotes work-life balance and creativity and encourages employees to pursue educational opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
