Behavioral Health Specialist

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Director of Residential Clinical Services, Residential Coordinator

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: NA

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Residential Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) is responsible for maintaining a safe, sanitary, supportive, and stable environment in residential facilities. BHS will be trained to use a Housing First model when working with residents to complete goal orientated tasks, building independent living skills and promoting mental health recovery. BHS will apply a harm reduction and trauma informed approach to recovery orientated tasks to support mental health and/or sobriety. BHS must assign and supervise tasks carried out by residents, offer teaching opportunities and support both in a group and/or 1:1 setting, be able to provide daily support of medication management skills, and provide transportation to appointments and community-based activities as needed. BHS will be expected to coordinate with Team Leads, Housing Case Managers, internal agency, and other stakeholders to provide collaborative care to residents. Completion of state required, annual internal, and program specific training will be necessary prior to service delivery. BHS will be responsible for daily record keeping in compliance with contract expectations and foodbank guidelines.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide services to maintain required productivity / billing standard of 75% of all hours worked.
2. Complete electronic documentation in clients’ electronic medical record in a manner that individualizes each note, reflects appropriate interventions and progress towards goals, and meets the standards for medical necessity.
3. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of service provision, signing all progress notes within 24 hours of service delivery, or as per contract guidelines.
4. Maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary environment within the Residential Care facility and submit timely facility requests. This includes, but is not limited to, completing and documenting safety drills as assigned, maintaining policies and procedures compliant with Health & Safety expectations and contract guidelines, completing daily room checks to ensure cleanliness and sanitation standards, and provide feedback to residents if deficiencies are found.
5. Provides orientation / intake to new residents and completes required paperwork in a timely manner and in accordance with Residential Care policies and procedures. Ensures residents awareness and compliance with all policies and procedures. Facilitates the transition and/or discharge process and completes necessary paperwork.
6. Provide motivation, support, and instruction for residents through designated service provisions to promote development of responsible living patterns, achieve a more adaptive level of psychosocial functioning, self-sufficiency in health and personal hygiene, improved interpersonal and community relationships, facilitate movement towards obtaining an affordable, stable and permanent living environment, and employment.
7. Provide support for an alcohol / drug abuse-free lifestyle environment conducive to social interaction and the fullest development of the resident’s rehabilitative potential.
8. Assess, problem-solve, and effectively handle situations requiring crisis intervention including documenting and incidents reporting to the resident's Housing Case Manager (HCM) and supervisor per department, agency policy and contract expectations.
9. Work collaboratively with supervisors, HCM’s, residents, team, external stakeholders, and community providers to facilitate contract expectations and resident’s individualized plan of care. Provide daily correspondence to team.
10. Attending and assisting with house meetings, completion of daily and weekly household tasks, and assisting with planning and facilitating activities for the facility.
11. Provide three nutritionally adequate meals per day, 7 days a week, and nutritious snacks (including menu preparation, meal planning and participating in the shopping).
12. Provide coverage of facilities as requested in the event of emergency, holidays, vacations, or illnesses.
13. Supervise and review medication inventory upon admission and ensure on-going changes are communicated with the team to ensure an up-to-date Medication Summary Record (MSR) as per Residential Care Policy.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: BHS is expected to have a high school diploma plus one-year post-high school education or equivalent experience in the human services field. Preferred areas of experience include working with SPMI population and/or dually diagnosed population and working in residential and/or shelter-based settings. Must demonstrate effective communication and documentation skills as well as the ability to develop and maintain rapport with residents, constituents, and staff. Staff must possess basic computer and typing skills. Must complete all required training within designated timeframe. A valid Kansas driver’s license and access to personal vehicle required. Valid annual TB test required for some programs.

OTHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintains acceptable overall attendance record, to include agency meetings and training as required. Attend and participate in all individual, group and field supervisions established by the program. Ensures appropriate notification to supervisor for absences and ensures that work is covered. Flexibility in work schedule when needed.
• Meets deadlines and ensures accuracy of various reports / paperwork, mileage sheets, and electronic timesheets.
• Exhibits appropriate level of technical knowledge for the position. Employees must read their emails and respond to messages daily as the Association frequently provides pertinent and important information to employees.
• Produces quantity of work necessary to meet job requirements.
• Works well with a team, keeps others informed of information needed. Treats others with dignity and respect, maintaining a spirit of cooperation. Residents should be treated with warmth and friendliness to decrease alienation and despair, increasing their changes of obtaining the services they need.
• Maintain professional verbal and written interactions with peers, participants, supervisors and other staff, which also includes effective listening skills. Use diplomacy and tact in dealing with difficult situations or people. Provide strong customer service skills, so that residents will have the best experience possible while in the residential setting, increasing their chances of success while in the program and successfully transition into the community.
• Demonstrates the ability and willingness to handle new assignments, changes in procedures and business requirements. Identifies what needs to be done and takes appropriate action.
• Completes assigned work, meets deadlines without reminders/follow-up from supervisor or others.
• Performs work conscientiously with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ensure safe transportation of residents in the community as needed, using agency provided vehicle or personal vehicle.
• Collaboration with partnering agencies and CIT Teams for mobile response and stabilization services.
• Meets goals and objectives as mutually agreed upon during last performance review (if applicable).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving (for purposes of transporting veterans and community mobility)
• Typing / data entry, writing
• Lifting / carrying up to 30 pounds
• Bending / Stooping / Climbing (stairs included) / Reaching

All the above duties and responsibilities are considered essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and / or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as a detailed statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisors, subject to reasonable accommodation.

EEO Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Veteran, Disabled