Family Services Specialist II

City of Alexandria•Alexandria, VA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Family Services Specialist II provides mental health outreach, case management, supportive counseling, crisis intervention assessment and interventions to older adults with serious mental illness and multiple medical problems as a member of the Older Adult Clinical Services Team (Geriatric Mental Health). Coordinates consumer care and facilitates referrals to various community providers, resources and service agencies. Provides supportive counseling, assessment of needs, risk and interventions for treatment planning. Performs much of the work with this population in consumers residences, senior centers and supportive living facilities.

Requirements

Ability to be tolerant concerning others
Ability to handle crisis and work under pressure
Ability to write and speak clearly
Working knowledge of mental health issues
Knowledge and skills of intervention techniques with individuals, families, groups and other agencies
Master's degree in a human services field
Two (2) year s of relevant experience
Valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities

Nice To Haves

Experience in behavioral health
Experience in case management
Experience in community-based services
Experience working with older adults or individuals with serious mental illness

Responsibilities

Facilitates consumer access to a variety of mental and physical health treatment providers, including scheduling doctors’ appointments for consumers, accompanying them to their appointments and acting as an advocate for the consumer regarding their health care.
Provides supportive counseling to individuals and groups of older consumers re: life adjustments, stress management skills, psycho-education and interventions designed to enhance decision making and coping skills.
Provides intensive mental health case management to older adults with serious mental illness (SMI).
Monitors consumer’s mental health status and compliance with medication and other forms of treatment.
Communicates regularly with other service providers to coordinate consumer treatment and ensure all needs are being met.
Links clients to needed services and explores community resources including assisting clients in receiving and maintaining entitlements and benefits.
Works regularly with Adult Protective Services in monitoring and assessing elderly consumers.
Works regularly with guardians and representative payees on behalf of the consumers including assisting with consumer’s finances.
Provides community education and referral to citizens of Alexandria and other City agencies.
Works in the community, providing services where the client is and contacts clients when appointments are not kept.
Maintains clinical records in accordance with State, City, Departmental, and Federal compliance requirements.
Performs related work as required.