Community Support Worker (Behavioral Health)

The Community Support Worker (CSW) is responsible for providing care coordination services to clients in the District of Columbia.  The CSW will advise, advocate, and empower the minds and lives of adult men and women assigned to the organization, to facilitate change and growth.   who have serious mental illness and disabilities The Community Support Workers spends 70% of their time in the field (client homes, public spaces and community spaces) working to foment skills required to manage disorders and vices in order to determine and reach success in their recovery goals. 

In short, CSWs support individuals in attaining meaningful, sufficient lives through the growth of the skills necessary to live independently, acquire employment, complete their education/training and have vigorous social lives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Level I Associate  Degree with 2-5 Years of experience 
  
• Level II Bachelors Degree with 1-2 years of experience 
• Level III - Master Degree with 2-4 years of experience
• Experience working in a healthcare setting 
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude

• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information. 
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients,  physicians, or others in a professional manner.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The CSW is responsible for remaining aware of current issues and concerns of assigned consumers, following existing programs and individual Care Plans, while documenting activities and significant observations in the clients' profile in the NLHCS electronic health records (EHR) system.

• Identify clients' personal recovery goals
• Link clients to community resources including food, clothing, shelter and medical and dental care.
• Provide psychosocial education and symptom management skills
• Help develop and establish personal support systems
• Provide thorough and accurate progress notes, and notify the Care Coordinator of any abnormalities using evidence -based systems
• Advocates for the residents through systemic advocacy.
• Participates in development and implementation of all support programs offered through the Care Plans.
• Follows programs and approaches in a consistent and competent manner.
• Provide support and services to consumers in care to include crisis intervention, behavior management, and life skills training, Plans, develops, implements and evaluates recreational, social and/or educational activities for consumers served by NLHCS.
• Support consumers in the community to support  them to function more safely and independently.
• Recommend physical, recreational, social and educational activities.  
• Identify social, economic, and educational services in the community that will meet clients’ needs,
• Maintains liaison with other agencies, professionals, government officials and the community.
• Recognizes potential crisis situations, analyzes such situations accurately, develops strategies to deal with such situations, and inform the Care Coordinator
• Recognizes potential emergency situations, analyzes situations accurately, develops strategies to deal with such situations with consumer’s aggressive behavior to reduce the potential of harming behavior.
• Provides input to CSW’s and other professionals with regard to the development of consumers individualized care plans. 
• Monitors clients’ well-being.  Assists clients with daily life skills and/or behavior management training as needed.  
• Assists clients in attending appointments when necessary and may provide transportation.
• It is the responsibility of the CSW to ensure that all requirements are met to provide safe transportation i.e. proper driver’s license, insurance and brake check
• The CSW’s monitors clients’ progress and well-being and assists the team in evaluating the effectiveness of planned counseling and support.Provides suggestions for the modification of consumers’ program plans.
• Provides emotional support and feedback to consumers (and their families and friends where concerned).
• Maintains written and/or verbal reports listed in the  consumers individual care plan activities and progress.  
• Ensures that all required documentation is complete and accurate.
• All CSW’s are required to submit no less than two billable services weekly
• Participate in planning and assist with developing individual activity plans which focus on the special needs of each client served by the NLHCS program.
• Review and evaluate consumers’ progress and make adjustments to services and programs as required.
• Encourage and facilitate the participation of individuals in the NLHCS program.  
• Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of new trends in activities programming.
• Provide liaison with other agencies and the community to foster positive working relationships with staff members.
• Efficiently operate office equipment such as:  personal computers, photocopiers, facsimile machines and printers.
• Prepare a variety of weekly and monthly  reports used to measure performance of services and service delivery.
  

Required Skills 

• Associate Degree or Above Required
• 3-5 years experience in case management and documentation
  
• Working knowledge of Mental Health Core Service Agencies 
  
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
• Strong people skill 
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Interviewing skills 
• Critical thinking and empathy
• Must have NPI number

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Adhere to dress code, appearance must be neat and clean. 
• Complete annual education training requirements. 
• Maintain consumer confidentiality at all times. 
• Report to work as scheduled. 
• Wear identification while on duty. 
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations. 
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times. 
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicate the mission, ethics and goals of the organization.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities. 
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services.