Vocational Specialist

Provides

• Teaching of skills to support each persons’ individualized recovery journey and community integration
• Mental health education, community living skill training and supportive counseling in the home and other natural environments to person served and significant others, often focusing on education and employment needs
• Assessment of job-related interests and abilities based on a complete education and work history
• Assessment considering the effect of mental illness on an individual’s employment, identification of specific behaviors that interfere with work performance. Development of interventions to address these behaviors
• Supportive counseling to assist in identifying and coping with symptoms that may interfere with work performance
• The evidenced-base practice of Supportive Employment to include all components of the model
• Crisis intervention services (including on-the-job) for persons served with acute psychiatric needs whose circumstances and conditions require rapid intervention
• Technical assistance and education to members of the team in the areas of education and employment.
• Develops materials and strategies for career interventions in conjunction with the team
• Job development in the community to identify opportunities for both paid and volunteer employment
• On-site and off-site job coaching services
• Assessment of service recipients stated concerns, mental illness symptoms, and behavior in response to medication and monitors for medication side-effects during the provision of observed self-administration and during ongoing face-to-face contacts
• Medication education for both individuals and family/significant others with service recipient consent.
• Coordination of services with other community mental health and non-mental health providers, as well as other medical professionals
• Direct assistance to secure safe, clean, affordable housing, food and clothing, medical and dental services, and appropriate financial support.
• Linkage to entitlement benefits such as Medicaid/NJFamilyCare, unemployment, social security, rental assistance , and other public assistance (social services, transportation, legal advocacy and representation)
• Development of WRAP and Psychiatric Advance Directives which includes stage wise treatment utilizing
• Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Teaching Strategies
• Utilizes evidenced based practices, including motivational interviewing, IDDT, CBT skills, IMR, Trauma Informed Care, Permanent Supportive Housing and Career Development when engaging individuals with their recovery
• 24 hour on-call coverage on a rotating schedule with the ability to respond immediately to individuals by phone or in person
• Rapid and flexible response to crisis, including but not limited to: accompanying the person to the local screening center or psychiatric emergency service and remaining with the person during the assessment process
• Assessment of individuals’ daily living skills, and teach individuals needed skills in the area of budgeting, cooking, laundry, cleaning, shopping, personal hygiene, community transportation, self-advocacy and ways to maintain housing. Specific focus on work-related support (grooming, hygiene, clothing, wake-up calls, transportation)
• Support to the service recipient’s family and other members of his/her social network to help them manage the symptoms and related consequences of the service recipient’s illness, reduce the level of family and social stress associated with the illness, and achieve wellness. Will provide education to assist the service recipient and family to relate in a positive and supportive manner

Requirements

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor’s in a behavioral science from an accredited institution

Experience

• 2 years’ experience in vocational assessment, job preparation, or individualized job placement and/or job coaching with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness

Driver’s License/Vehicle

• Valid driver’s license required
• No more than one moving violation within the past 12 months
• Vehicle required

Excellent benefits

• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403b, basic life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, EAP
• Eligible for medical benefits after 30 days of employment
• Flexible work schedules, clinical training series, leadership development program
• 10 paid holidays (an 11th after 2 years of employment), generous vacation and sick time

Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services was founded on a strong desire to fight disparity and injustice alongside people living with behavioral health conditions. We are dedicated to providing a multicultural workplace where everyone feels a sense of purpose and belonging. We provide equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law.