Mental Health Support Specialist - OMH Housing Supports

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.

18h•$22 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS) provides training in independent living skills—including responsible tenancy, medication management, and personal care—to help people achieve their goals and improve their overall health and mental wellness. The MHSS also assists the Program Supervisor in implementing agency policies and procedures. In OMH Supportive Housing Programs, the MHSS provides Tenancy Supports, including community integration skill-building and stabilization services. These services include direct training and support in community integration, resource coordination, treatment and tenancy-support planning, rehabilitative independent living skills, crisis planning, and intervention. In OMH MRST Programs, visits are conducted as needed. The role is performed in person and requires travel, with frequency varying by program. For HUD Supported Housing Programs, MRST, and the OMH Apartment Treatment Program, MHSS team members must use their own transportation to provide services as needed. The position also involves timely, accurate documentation using an agency-provided phone and/or laptop, and compliance with agency policies, safety requirements, confidentiality rules, ethical standards, and applicable laws and regulations.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one full year of experience in human services or a related field.
Proficient computer skills.
Proficient writing skills, including a grasp of basic grammar and spelling.
Ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, keep others informed, and anticipate needs.
Efficiency, strong organizational skills, and excellent communication skills.
Valid driver’s license and ability to satisfy FREE’s criteria to be a driver.
Ability to sit, walk, and stand for prolonged periods of time (at least eight hours).
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, photocopiers, fax machines, and filing cabinets.
Ability to reach with hands and arms; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or stand on a stool as needed; and lift 25 pounds at a time.
Must meet safety training requirements and adhere to safety, confidentiality, and ethical policies.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders.

Responsibilities

Work with people supported to help them identify and realize personal life goals.
Ensure fire safety equipment is in working condition and teach individuals how to use it.
Teach individuals whom to contact in emergencies, including medical, psychiatric, fire, and food-related emergencies.
Assist individuals in using community and neighborhood services.
Act as a liaison among individuals, landlords, and treatment team members.
Teach independent living skills that support community living and help prevent homelessness, including apartment maintenance, socialization, budgeting, self-medication, personal care, travel training, shopping, cooking, and returning to school or the workforce.
Develop Individualized Support Plans with individuals and treatment teams, and encourage follow-through on goals such as housing stability, medication management, employment and vocational training, mental health treatment, substance-use assessment and referral, and community-based services.
Encourage and support psychiatric stability through counseling, crisis intervention, daytime activities, treatment participation, and use of available resources.
Coordinate with Health Home to support coordination of psychiatric and physical health services.
Assist individuals with mandated treatment requirements, including AOT orders, and legal requirements such as parole or probation conditions.
Provide Tenancy Supports in OMH Supportive Housing Programs, including community integration skill-building and stabilization services.
Conduct visits on an as-needed basis in OMH MRST Programs.
Document and record services, visits, supports, and other relevant information contemporaneously using an agency-provided phone and/or laptop.
Complete and process required paper and electronic documentation accurately, promptly, and in accordance with quality and compliance thresholds.
Communicate respectfully with people supported, supervisors, team members, and community members.
Maintain strict confidentiality of information about members, residents, people supported and their families, clients, providers, contractors, and employees.
Complete required safety training, follow safety policies, report unsafe conditions, and take measures to prevent accidents and health or safety risks.
Coordinate, support, attend, and participate in required events, meetings, reviews, and committees, including those outside standard working hours.
Meet job requirements, remain compliant, and follow the agency’s ethical standards, Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and applicable laws and regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned.