Mental Health Associate I

CAYA Collaborative Care•Bowling Green, KY

13d•$19 - $19•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Associate I provides community-based and clinic-based psychiatric rehabilitation and supportive services to adults with serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and other behavioral health needs served in agency programs. Under the supervision of a QMHP or Program Manager, this position promotes recovery, independent living, stability, and community integration through evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered practices. The Mental Health Associate I assists with day-to-day program operations, delivers skill-building and rehabilitative services in group and individual formats, and collaborates with clients, families, and community partners to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, or other Medicaid-recognized behavioral health field, not pursuing a master’s degree.
Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills; ability to convey a positive and professional attitude with clients, families, and staff.
Ability to work independently in community (varies by program) and program settings and to safely navigate varied environments (homes, apartments, shelters, community agencies).
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of current automobile insurance; ability to travel throughout the designated service area.
Deliver person-centered, trauma-informed psychiatric rehabilitation services that promote recovery, independence, self-determination, and community integration.
Provide community-based rehabilitation interventions that build independent living skills, support symptom self-management, enhance housing stability, and strengthen tenancy success through education, advocacy, and problem-solving.
Deliver services in homes and community settings, meeting individuals where services are most effective while supporting engagement and recovery (if offered by the program).
Collaborate with healthcare providers, housing partners, landlords, community agencies, and natural supports to coordinate services and address housing and recovery needs.
Assist individuals in overcoming barriers related to housing, transportation, employment, education, healthcare, income, and other factors affecting recovery and stability.
Maintain timely, accurate, person-centered documentation that demonstrates medical necessity, rehabilitation interventions, participant progress, and compliance with Kentucky Medicaid, CCBHC standards, and agency policies.
Demonstrate professionalism, ethical practice, effective communication, cultural humility, accountability, and participation in supervision, training, and quality improvement activities.
Provide services in office and/or community settings, maintain the ability to safely travel throughout the service area, meet physical demands of community outreach with reasonable accommodations as applicable, and maintain a valid driver's license and required insurance when operating a personal vehicle for agency business.
Performance is evaluated based on service quality, participant engagement and outcomes, documentation compliance, productivity, collaboration, adherence to agency policies, and contribution to program and recovery goals.
All employees must be willing to live our company's core values. Integrity – Exhibiting the highest moral, ethical and legal standards. Doing the right thing – even when no one else is looking. Teamwork – Putting team success over personal success. Actively valuing the strengths and talents of others. Trust/Respect– Seeing and believing in the good intentions of others. Interacting with others in a way that makes them feel valued. Listening without judging. Offering understanding and acceptance. Care/Compassion – Demonstrating unconditional kindness, concern and empathy. Exhibiting genuine concern for others. Ownership/Accountability – Taking personal responsibility for one’s work, actions and feelings. Accepting responsibility for and learning from mistakes.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with justice-involved and/or high-risk individuals
Knowledge of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care
Experience in behavioral health, homelessness services, supportive housing, psychiatric rehabilitation, or case management.

Responsibilities

Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Skill Building: Plan, supervise, and teach clients in therapeutic skill-building groups and individual sessions focused on activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, symptom self-management, social skills, and community living skills.
Provide psychiatric rehabilitation interventions that enhance functional abilities, independent living skills, community participation, and overall quality of life consistent with Kentucky Medicaid requirements.
Support development of recovery-oriented routines and coping strategies in home, program, and community settings.
Assist with medication organization and adherence support as allowed by agency policy (not medication administration).
Community Integration & Supportive Services: Assist participants in accessing employment, education, volunteer opportunities, transportation, healthcare, and other community resources.
Reduce social isolation through community engagement, recreational activities, and facilitation of natural supports and meaningful relationships.
Provide general supportive services, including problem-solving around daily living challenges, advocacy, and linkage to appropriate resources.
Social Determinants of Health: Address barriers related to income, food security, transportation, benefits, healthcare access, legal concerns, and housing as they impact recovery and independent living.
Connect participants with financial assistance, benefits programs, and community resources as needed.
Documentation, Record Keeping, and Compliance: Complete timely, accurate, Medicaid-compliant rehabilitation documentation, including daily progress notes and other required records.
Maintain person-centered records that demonstrate medical necessity, interventions provided, participant response, and progress toward treatment and rehabilitation goals, in accordance with Kentucky Medicaid, CCBHC standards (when applicable), and agency policies.
Gather and enter program data into the agency’s electronic record or designated computer systems for tracking outcomes, billing, and quality improvement.
Care Coordination, Collaboration, and Referrals: Collaborate with therapists, psychiatrists, primary care providers, peer support specialists, case managers, and other internal and external service providers to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.
Participate in interdisciplinary staffing and treatment team meetings as requested.
Refer clients to other services (e.g., therapy, case management, medical care, housing resources, community supports) as requested or clinically indicated.
Engage families and natural supports, when appropriate, to promote ongoing care and recovery.
Program Operations and Activities: Assist with day-to-day program operations, including planning and implementing therapeutic groups, psychoeducational sessions, and recovery-oriented activities.
Help secure guest speakers and community partners to support program curricula and client education.
Participate in program goal planning and provide input into budget-related needs, including supplies and activities, as directed by the supervisor.
Training, Flexibility, and Regional Coverage: Maintain required certifications, including First Aid and CPR, and participate in in-service and continuing education programs.
Work flexible hours to meet program needs as directed by the supervisor.
Provide coverage at other agency behavioral health programs or sites within the region when assigned.
Assist in transporting clients for program-related appointments, services, and community activities when needed and approved.
Other Duties: Participate in staff meetings, supervision, and agency initiatives that support quality improvement and fidelity to evidence-based practices.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor consistent with the scope of a Mental Health Associate I in behavioral health settings.