Interested in a unique clinical opportunity to help people with persistent mental illness work on the same goals everyone else does?  Excited about working in the community, engaging with clients and community members, not just in an office - based setting all day?  Check out our supported employment opportunities at Lifeworks Northwest.

Our employment specialists follow an evidence based clinical practice of helping people with mental illness succeed in finding and maintaining employment.  We work side by side with them and their employers, if desired, to help find the right opportunity.  We are fully integrated with the clinical team to help our clients work and achieve their treatment goals.

The Supported Employment Specialist assesses newly diagnosed and/or severe and persistent mentally ill adolescent and young adult client case load, and/or severe and persistent mentally ill adult client case load 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 long term mental illnesses and encourages them to recognize clients' abilities to be productive and successful. Follows the supported employment fidelity model created by the IPS Employment Center. Services are primarily offered in a community based or home-based settings.

Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Beaverton site. 

Pay/Benefits: $24.45 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 and 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.
• Meets standards for documentation and work accuracy as defined in the Performance Evaluation including timely completion of progress notes, assessments, treatment plans, authorization requests.
• Meets standards as defined in the Performance Evaluation for direct service, implementation and utilization of the clinical model, quality of clinical practice and teamwork.
• 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.
• Counsels 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.
• Participates in regular individual and team meetings with supervisor provide written and verbal reports to supervisor regarding cases. Attends informational and clinical meetings which may include all-agency meetings, team meetings, consultation meetings with psychiatrist, intra-agency trainings, etc.
• Required to transport clients in a personal vehicle and/or LifeWorks NW vehicle.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work or other mental health related field and/or a minimum of three full years working with a similar population required.
• This position requires a valid and active QMHA credential certification through MHACBO. LifeWorks NW can assist in the credentialing process. 
• Must have a minimum of an additional year of experience in the behavioral health field working with people with disabilities.
• Requires access to a car, a valid driver's license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage and ability to meet LifeWorks NW 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 mental health assessment, 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.

Working Conditions

This is a full-time position working daytime hours. Occasional nights and weekends may be needed, based on client employment needs. The primary method for services are community or home based. However, this position might do some telehealth work as well in the situations when in-person appointments could not be safely conducted (e.g., Covid-19, inclement weather, etc.).

This position may be responsible for the ACT 24-hour crisis phone periodically if the supported employment specialist is assigned to work with ACT team at Beaverton location.

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

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