The Supported Employment Specialist - Substance Use
Disorder Services assesses people
diagnosed with a substance use disorder for employment capabilities, provides
training assistance, offers continuing support, and assists clients target
potential jobs, explore job possibilities in the community, and make job
placements. Educates employers and community providers about LifeWorks NW's
Employment Services and how they operate as a successful community placement
model for employing people with substance use disorders while encouraging them
to recognize clients' abilities to be productive and successful. This position is based on the supported employment fidelity
model created by the IPS Employment Center (https://ipsworks.org).
Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Beaverton site.
Pay/Benefits: $23.92 starting hourly pay plus, Full benefits
Essential
Responsibilities:
- Interviews individuals
and, if applicable, family members or team members in the client support system
to complete the strengths based vocational assessment to identify clients' skills,
strengths, interests, goals, dreams, aspirations, and resources available to
reach their goals.
- Counsels individuals to
help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems
affecting their vocational situations.
- Develops an employment
focused service plans based on clients' interests, abilities, strengths and
needs. Service plans will have measurable goals and objectives based on the
diagnosis and will specify type, frequency, intensity, and duration of service.
Service plans will be client driven and follow-ups will be completed on time,
assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
- Researches
possible job openings and opportunities for clients by contacting employment
services, newspaper want ads, previous contacts, cold calling, and any other
means of reaching potential employers.
- Performs
job analysis, matching potential openings with clients' needs, skills, and
logistics of getting to the job site.
- Establishes
and maintains connections with business offering employment opportunities.
- Monitors
and tracks employment status. Provides accurate and timely written reports to
the Vocational Rehabilitation Division. Ensures timely record maintenance of
authorizations for purchase, billings, and completed releases of information. Maintains
client records in compliance with agency and confidentiality guidelines.
Completes documentation in an electronic health records system.
- Sets
up interviews for clients, assist clients with application, resume preparation
and interviewing skills.
- Locates barriers to client
employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, and
transportation problems and works with clients to develop strategies for
overcoming these barriers.
- Maintain close contact
with clients during job training and placements to resolve problems and
evaluate placement adequacy. Provide job coaching as determined by clients' needs and
employer's wishes.
- Performs
interventions as needed with assigned clients previously placed who may be at
risk of losing their jobs. Work closely
with employer and client to resolve issues as soon as possible.
- Coordinates
and consults with other team members to keep team informed of issues and
progress.
- Counsel individuals,
groups, families, or communities regarding vocational rehabilitation issues.
- Refers client or family to
community resources including state vocational rehabilitation services and
benefits counselor.
- Provides crisis
intervention to Clients when difficult situations occur
- Serves
as back-up for other staff when needed.
- Checks
e-mail/voice mail daily/throughout the day when working responding to contacts
within 48 hours for routine matter (urgent matters may require a more immediate
response)
- Required
to transport clients in a personal vehicle and/or LifeWorks NW vehicle.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's
degree in Psychology, Social Work or other behavioral health related field
and/or an associate's degree with a minimum of three full years working with a
similar population required.
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I, II, or III) or a Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) preferred.
- Must
be credentialed through Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of
Oregon (MHACBO). All prospective
candidates must have a valid MHACBO registration number upon hire.
- Requires valid driver's license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage, verification of safe driving record from DMV, and ability to meet LWNW driving requirements.
- Proficient
in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word. Ability to master proprietary software
including electronic health record system required.
- Must
be able to pass a DHS background check.
- Demonstrated
ability to communicate effectively; understand substance use treatment and
service terminology and individual, group, family and other counseling
techniques; program policies and procedures for services and supports
identified in an Individual Services and Supports Plan.
- Ability
to provide employment services and compliance with confidentially in accordance
with federal, state and/or funding source requirements.
- Knowledge of community resources enabling appropriate
referrals for specific client needs.
LifeWorks NW is a private, non-profit organization providing prevention, mental health, substance use treatment, and related social services to youths, adults, and older adults in over fifteen locations throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. LifeWorks NW promotes a healthy community by providing quality and culturally responsive mental health and addiction services across the lifespan.
Our core values-Recovery and Relationships, Resilience, and Results-inform the work we do. The four pillars of the strategic vision include Compassionate, Impactful Care, Holistic Health, Passionate Team, and Thriving Organization. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are critical to successfully achieving the mission. We know that "life works" when people get the help they need and are dedicated to changing lives.
Equal Opportunity Employer
www.lifeworksnw.org
Drug Free/Tobacco Free Site 01/09