Community Support Specialist II (Associate Professional)

SUMMARY: Provides support to individuals with Mental Health (MH) or Substance Abuse Issues. In residential, school, workplace and community settings. These interventions are strength-based and focused on promoting recovery, symptom reduction, increased coping skills, and achievement of the highest level of functioning in the community. Staff ratio takes into consideration evening and weekend hours, needs of special populations and geographical areas to be served.
Persons who meet the requirements specified for Associate Professional (AP) status according to 10A NCAC 27G.0104 and who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by the population and age to be served may deliver Community Support within the requirements of the staff definition specified in the service definitions. Supervision is provided according to supervision requirements specified in 10A NCAC 27G.0203 and according to licensure and certification requirements of the appropriate discipline.A. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.1.Coordinates activities within the established Person-Centered Plan (PCP);
2.Assists with referral linkage;
3.Provides supportive counseling;4.Provides input into Person-Centered Plan modifications.5.Provides direct intervention and also arranges, coordinates, and monitors services on behalf of the person supported.6.Minimizes the negative effects of psychiatric symptoms or substance dependence that interfere with the person supported’s daily living and personal development;7.Supports the person in the development of various Skill Building Activities, including:
a.Daily and Community Living Skills;
b.Socialization Skills;
c.Adaptation Skills;
d.Development of Leisure Time;
e.Interests/Activities;
f.Symptom Management Skills;
g.Wellness Education;
h.Education substance abuse;
i.Work readiness;
j.Behavior and anger management..
8.Completes documentation of services including a daily full service note that includes the name of the person supported, Medicaid identification number, date of service, purpose of contact, describes the interventions, includes the time spent performing the interventions, effectiveness of the intervention, the signature and credentials of the staff providing the service.
9.Works closely with other paraprofessional and clinical/professional staff to maintain communication and provide feedback, standardize procedures and expedite PCP implementation.
10.Monitors budgetary costs and expenditures associated with the business operations of program activity.
11.Facilitates relationships and serves as a link between the company, parents, guardians, local agencies and the community.B. NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.1.Performs other duties as assigned.
2.Practices universal medical precautions by understanding and utilizing personal protective and safety equipment.
3.Ensures confidentiality regarding sensitive material including employee and
4.Ensures individual rights to privacy, and protected health information for the person supported
REQUIREMENTS
A. ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS RELATED TO CORPORATE COMPLIANCE, COMPANY MISSION, GOALS AND ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE:ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES
No employee, supervisor or manager of RHA Health Services, Inc. has the authority to direct any other employee to do anything that violates company policies; local, state or federal laws or regulations; or the standards found in the RHA Code of Conduct. RHA will take prompt action up to and including termination of employment on the first offense for failing to comply with these policies, laws, regulations and standards and/or failing to report conduct which violates these policies, laws, regulations and standards. No RHA employee, supervisor or manager is permitted to engage in any form of retaliation or retribution against anyone who reports a concern.RHA Health Services, Inc. delivers high quality, safe and caring support services to individuals in a variety of settings. Commitment to quality is paramount, and the culture also endorses growth and development, sound financial management, and strong adherence to a Corporate Compliance Plan and the Code of Ethical Conduct. The Company focuses on complying with all Federal, State and Company regulations and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. This includes but is not limited to, ethical billing practices and the preservation of individual and public property and monies. The Corporate Culture strongly encourages and supports team problem-solving and employee participation at all levels.PART IIISUPERVISION:
The Community Support Specialist II shall be supervised by a QP. Supervision shall be provided according to supervision requirements specified in 10A NCAC 27G.0204 and according to licensure or certification requirements of the appropriate discipline. The Community Support Specialist II has no supervisory responsibility.QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
The Community Support Specialist II (Associate Professional) is defined as an individual who is a:(a)graduate of a college or university with a Masters degree in a human service field with less than one year of full-time, post-graduate degree accumulated mh/dd/sa experience with the population served. Upon hiring, an individualized supervision plan shall be developed and supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the individual meets one year of experience; or(b)graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a human service field with less than two years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree accumulated mh/dd/sa experience with the population served. Upon hiring, an individualized supervision plan shall be developed and reviewed annually. Supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the individual meets two years of experience; or(c)graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than human services with less than four years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree accumulated mh/dd/sa experience with the population served. Upon hiring, an individualized supervision plan shall be developed and reviewed annually. Supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the individual meets four years of experience; or(d)registered nurse who is licensed to practice in the State of North Carolina by the North Carolina Board of Nursing with less than four years of full-time accumulated experience in mh/dd/sa with the population served. Upon hiring, an individualized supervision plan shall be developed and reviewed annually. Supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the person meets four years of experience.
All staff providing Community Support shall have a minimum of one year documented experience with the population to be served. In addition, all staff providing Community Support shall complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours of training specific to the required components of the specific service definition including crisis response within the first 90 days of employment.LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write Person Centered Plans and progress notes that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to groups of company managers and officers, service users, family & guardians, government officials and/or the general public.MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Ability to learn and use personal computers. Work with a computer is common and the ability to understand word processing and certain spreadsheet programs is important. Successfully complete other training as may be required or amended by company policy. Develop organizational and communication skills that foster TEAMWORK.CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Valid drivers license (this is a condition of employment) including personal vehicle insurance coverage. Must maintain proficiency in company sponsored training and certifications and privileging if required. The following are conditions of employment: CPR, first aid, NCI certification and others that may be specified and/or required by future company regulations. Must be qualified as a Habilitation Technician II (med certified) or eligible to be so designated at the first available training after accepting the position.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk and hear; and taste and smell. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts such as may be found in a residential home and office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.