Mental Health Specialist 2

SUMMARY

The Mental Health Specialist 2 (MHS 2) works to support people in recovery from serious mental illness. The MHS 2 will provide direct service to enhance coping skills, activities of daily living, and accessing the community. The MHS 2 will provide individually based motivational support and other evidence-based interventions to adults with mental illness. The MHS will be an advocate for members, and provide person-centered, recovery focused, strengths-based, trauma-informed services, including counseling. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Complete case management tasks with members, including benefit eligibility.  
• Support people in skill development and maintenance of mental health according to individual needs and goals. 
• Document service/progress notes using an electronic record keeping system and complete recordkeeping on a weekly basis. Meet performance targets. 
• Be aware of medical health and support residents with medical appointments, document follow up from doctor. 
• Respond to medical and behavioral / psychiatric crisis in accordance with agency policy and procedure. This includes all related documentation.
• Provide emergency assistance/program coverage during scheduled hours, including at other MH sites as required.    
• Work collaboratively as a team with other staff to provide required services for members.
• Identify and make referrals to community resources and other programs / services of Anixter Center. 
• Develop and implement group mental health services, provide one-to-one sessions / activites.  
• Promote consumer driven, mental health services and enhance the abilities of members to make choices.
• Maintain electronic case files according to agency standards.
• Provide education and training to members. 
• Evaluate member’s progress.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders. Address concerns and issues related to members and program services. Share information concerning members with other employees’ as relevant within confidentiality rules. 
• Assist members with transportation needs.
• Adhere to all agency safety policies and procedures.  
• Maintain a flexibility while performing duties. This may include the need to travel off-site or to rearrange the scheduling of breaks and lunch to meet the immediate needs of the program. 
• Maintain a professional demeanor in both manner and attire as a representative of the agency in conducting all activities, services, and instructions.
• Ø  Assist members with all activities of daily living, grooming, and hygiene as needed. Support a healthy environment by motivating members to keep housing up to agency cleanliness and sanitary standards. 
• Complete all competency-based training as required.  
• Model and consistently practice support, interacting with members to develop mutually responsible relationships, avoiding the “helper/helpee” dynamic.
• Utilize structures for the inclusion of member voice into group and events planning, as well as day-to-day activities.
• Actively participate in supervision and training for Rule 132 requrements.
• Conduct and monitor safety drills as needed per Anixter policies.
• Ø  Assist with medications if necessary and document all related activities in accordance with related Medication Policies and Procedures. 
• Ø  Other duties as required. 

REQUIREMENTS 

• Mental Health Professional (MHP) per DHS DMH Rule 132, QMHP preferred. Minimum Bachelor’s level education required. 
• 12 months experience working with people who have a diagnosis of mental illness preferred.
• Computer proficiency required mastery and use of electronic healthcare records required.
• Driver’s license and ability to drive the agency vehicle is required. 
• Must have the physical capacity to lift and transfer program materials.
• Ability to promote and adhere to company values.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet agency insurance requirements.

SUPERVISION 

• None

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.