IPS Employment Specialist

FCC Behavioral Health • Poplar Bluff, MO

7d

About The Position

The IPS Employment Specialist is a professional staff member of a multidisciplinary team who assists individuals with employment goals and works in the community as a job developer. The role supports people in pursuing competitive employment in community job settings, using the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.

The specialist assesses vocational functioning, conducts job development and job search activities, and provides individualized follow-along support to help individuals obtain and maintain employment. The position also coordinates with mental health and vocational rehabilitation professionals and, with the individual’s agreement and consent, may provide support to family members and employers.

Requirements

• Education and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in mental health, social services, or business.
• Oral communication skills to convey information effectively and accurately.
• Working knowledge of diagnostic criteria sets for substance use and/or mental disorders.
• Adherence to applicable evidence-based practice models and agency policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with people with severe mental illnesses.
• Experience providing employment services.
• Knowledge of the work world.

Responsibilities

• Engage individuals with the goal of competitive employment in community job settings.
• Assist individuals in obtaining information about benefits such as SSI or Medicaid and how employment may affect them; refer individuals to benefits counseling as needed and assist with reporting earnings as needed.
• Assess vocational functioning on an ongoing basis using background information and work experiences.
• With permission, provide education and support to family members.
• Discuss an individual’s psychiatric status with employers if the individual wishes to disclose it.
• Conduct job development and job search activities to help individuals find positions matching their interests and needs, following IPS supported employment principles and procedures.
• Conduct a minimum of six face-to-face employer contacts per week.
• Provide individualized follow-along supports to help individuals maintain employment.
• Write job support plans with individuals served, incorporating input from the mental health team, and adjust plans according to individuals’ needs and preferences.
• With an individual’s agreement and consent, provide education and support to employers, potentially including negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.
• Participate in face-to-face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for individuals served.
• Adhere to applicable evidence-based practice models.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of diagnostic criteria sets for substance use and/or mental disorders.
• Communicate information orally, effectively and accurately.
• Ensure the program operates within applicable agency certification (CARF, DMH) standards and the strategic plan related to clinical care.
• Abide by program and agency policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time