Placement Support Specialist

City of New York • New York, NY

3d

About The Position

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is the community hospital of choice for residents of East Harlem, northern Manhattan, and neighboring communities. The hospital provides culturally-sensitive care in a welcoming and hospitable setting, emphasizing primary care medicine and utilizing the latest advances in medical science. Metropolitan delivers high quality health services with compassion, dignity, and respect to all, without exception. Since its founding in 1875, the hospital has been affiliated with New York Medical College, representing the oldest partnership between a hospital and a private medical school in the United States. Metropolitan is a part of the NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country. At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in community centered activities in an area related to the duties described on the previous page and above; or,
• High School diploma or its educational equivalent and six (6) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described on the previous page and above; or,
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to (1) or (2). However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in (1).
• Must be able to understand and be understood in English.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of experience in vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, or working with people with intellectual disabilities, mental health disorders, and/or substance use disorders.
• Mental Health and service delivery to adults.
• Must possess good verbal and writing skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel.
• Proficiency in a second language is preferred.
• Two (2) years' experience in vocational rehabilitation, supported employment or working with the mentally ill, substance abuse or intellectually disabled population.
• Mental Health and service delivery to adults
• Must possess good verbal and writing skills, be organized and demonstrate and ability to work in a fast-paced setting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel
• English proficient is a must; ability to communicate in Spanish or Creole a plus.

Responsibilities

• Engages clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of education or competitive employment in community job settings.
• Provides job development and job search services directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the clients in the assigned caseload. Follows the principles and procedures of the individual placement and support approach to supported employment.
• Conducts a minimum of 6 employer contacts per week.
• Provides support for education goals in the community, including contact with staff at high schools, colleges and other educational institutions.
• Provides individualized support to assist clients in maintaining employment or education.
• Arranges access to benefits counseling.
• Spends 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community; meeting clients at community locations (e.g. home, workplace, school, coffee shop, library, etc.); taking clients to apply for jobs; investigating local employment options; or meeting with employers regarding job development.
• Provides individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment. Writes job support plans with clients and incorporates input from family members (with client permission) and the mental health team. Adjusts plan according to clients' needs and preferences.
• Provides outreach services as necessary to clients who appear to disengage from the service. Uses a variety of methods to provide outreach.
• Provides timely interventions. Returns phone calls and reacts to situations in a timely manner including returning client phone calls within 24 hours, going to see employers about job loss or job problems within 24 hours, following up on job leads within 48 hours, and meeting with clients within one week prior to job starts and within three days after job starts.
• Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members between meetings in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services with mental health treatment.
• Maintains record of service contacts.
• Attends high school meetings with teachers, such as Individual Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, and Transition Plan meetings, to discuss how students learn best and ways that the IPS specialist can support the student's education.
• Assists clients in learning about different education and vocational training programs related to client interests and academic aptitudes. Focuses on mainstream education and certificate training programs only.
• Provides supports with financial aid including the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), understanding loan obligations, applying for scholarships, obtaining tools, equipment and computers.
• Supports clients prior to the beginning of education programs including accompanying them on campus/school tours, buying books or supplies, applying for services with the Office of Disability Services, signing up for seminars on effective study skills, discussing where to study between classes, etc.
• Assists in managing client's school schedule including due dates for assignments, reserving time to study for exams, and keeping track of class drop dates.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• College Savings Program
• Union Benefits for eligible titles
• Multiple employee discounts programs
• Commuter Benefits Programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees