Mental Health Social Practitioner

Fountain House•New York, NY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

At Fountain House, we believe in the power of community to transform the lives of individuals with serious mental illness. Every day, thousands of members choose to come to Fountain House to contribute their talents, learn new skills, access opportunities, and form friendships. Members and staff operate successful employment, education, wellness programs and work as partners to perform all the functions that keep our community going. The Fountain House model has been replicated in more than 300 locations in 30 countries and 32 states and currently serves more than 100,000 people with mental illness worldwide. As originators of this approach, we provide leadership by constantly advancing the practice and by leading the conversation around mental health recovery. As a result, Fountain House has created a comprehensive Community System of Care. This includes Clubhouses in Manhattan, the Bronx, Hollywood, California and Care Management, Home and Community-Based Services and a large housing program ranging from 24 hour supervised residences to scattered site supported apartments. We are committed to reducing social isolation, advocating for mental health policy change, and driving solutions that empower our members. Your Impact Social Practice is a specialized form of therapy that uses a community-based approach of assisting individuals in their mental health recovery to: Learn new skills, Hone their talents Build dignity Develop a sense of belonging, and Make progress towards their goals The Mental Health Social Practitioner (MHSP) is responsible for making sure the elements of social practice, as described above, are carried out to benefit members. In addition, the MHSP role will support related unit-specific goals (culinary, home and garden, education, wellness, etc.), while adhering to the International Standards for Clubhouse Programs.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience required
1-3+ years’ experience working with individuals with serious mental illness and or/hands on experience working in a community setting preferred
1-2 years coaching and counseling experience preferred
1-2 years of vocational rehabilitation, training or employment specialist experience preferred
Ability to effectively manage and handle member concerns and behaviors
Proven experience with mental health crisis management by supporting and counseling members under emotional distress

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree or equivalent preferred
1-2 years’ experience working with individuals with serious mental illness and or/hands on experience working in a community setting preferred
1-2 years coaching and counseling experience preferred
1-2 years of vocational rehabilitation, training or employment specialist experience preferred

Responsibilities

Perform member engagement, social design, relationship development, continuous assessment and therapeutic intervention and management of transitional environments with the Fountain House membership
Support and develop a therapeutic community based on Social Practice and the International Standards for Clubhouse Programs
Utilize the community to design positive interventions to deal with common barriers such as social isolation, poor self-esteem, anxiety, symptom management, and poverty
Create access to environments outside of Fountain House not traditionally therapeutically oriented, to build general skills, a sense of confidence, and to support members’ self-efficacy. This includes the provision of on-site support in employment, education, and housing environments outside of Fountain House
Develop relationships with Fountain House members and the community that can be leveraged to provide support for positive change and risk-taking, combat social isolation and increase meaningful connections, and introduce members to new opportunities
Engineer various environments and social interactions to create therapeutic results and develop an accessible positive community
Observe and assess experiences with members in a variety of naturalistic environments in order to create specific interventions for individuals’ rehabilitation
Provide daily advocacy and engagement with Clubhouse members to help gain self-worth, purpose of confidence, while offering guidance for appropriate problem-solving techniques
Provide counsel for members, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes
Provide training support (vocational training) for transitional employment opportunities and maintain strong relationships with employers for job opportunity developments
Support and fill-in for members in their Transitional Employment (TE) opportunities, if/when needed
Assist members with entitlements and benefits; food stamps, SSI/SSDI, Medicaid/Medicare and ticket to Work/ACE/Access VR, Supplemental Need Trusts, & ADA accommodations
Facilitates supported housing applications (2010E), Single Point of Access applications and work to find appropriate housing; assist members with physical moves into housing units
Advocates for members well-being, safety, and livelihood with supports around clinical, legal, housing, appointments, medications, and independent living opportunities
Acquire proficiency in skills and tasks of the (unit) you are assigned. This may include safety protocols, health guidelines, inventory lists, how to guides, etc.
Complete all documentation including but not limited to progress notes and reach out documentation on time
Maintain compliance with all government agency requirements, company policies and procedures
Periodic overnight travel to High Point Farm, work some holidays including Thanksgiving, some weekend and evening hours
Flexibility with staying late or arriving early, if necessary, to fulfill unit or member needs, and interchangeability with other staff on the unit.
Maintain confidentiality of records relating to members’ progress
Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor