ACT Employment Specialist

Are you looking for a purpose-driven career? At Metrocare, we serve our neighbors with developmental or mental health challenges by helping them find lives that are meaningful and satisfying.

Metrocare is the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas, serving over 55,000 adults and children annually. For over 50 years, Metrocare has provided a broad array of services to people with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities. In addition to behavioral health care, Metrocare provides primary care centers for adults and children, services for veterans and their families, accessible pharmacies, housing, and supportive social services. Alongside clinical care, researchers and teachers from Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education & Research are advancing mental health beyond Dallas County while providing critical workforce to the state.

Job Description:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The mission of Metrocare Services is to serve our neighbors with developmental or mental health challenges by helping them find lives that are meaningful and satisfying.  We are an agency committed to quality gender-responsive, trauma-informed care to individuals experiencing serious mental illness, development disabilities, and co-occurring disorders. Metrocare programs focus on the issues that matter most in the lives of the children, families and adults we serve.  

The ACT Employment and Self-Sufficiency Specialist serves as the primary ACT staff responsible for serving as team subject matter expert on supported employment and self-sufficiency services and providing employment services and self-sufficiency planning. Additionally, this position is responsible for completing clinical assessments, crisis plans, and any other initial clinical services needed by a client, including case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, and skills training. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The essential functions listed here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the job.
• Employment assistance and development. Assists with finding and maintaining employment or volunteer opportunities to facilitate reaching recovery goals and finding meaningful activity.
• Provides guidance in accessing federal and state entitlement programs and resources where needed.
• Provides guidance/identifies options in self-sufficiency planning process. Collaborates to identify short and long-term goals.
• Together with clients, help to identify needs and develop individualized, strength-based treatment plans that reflect client’s goals and objectives. Review and update Treatment Plans as required.
• Work with the consulting psychiatrist to ensure that clients’ behavioral health needs are being addressed and help to facilitate and integrate the psychiatrist’s recommendations.
• As a member of the treatment team, using a strength-based and trauma-informed approach, works collaboratively with the clients and other treatment team members (internal and external) to help support clients in their treatment and recovery.
• Models and supports clients in health and wellness activities and with using healthy coping skills.
• Facilitates psycho-education groups and life skills development classes as needed.
• Conducts Case Management, Psychosocial Rehabilitation and/or skills training services.
• Attends and participates in all scheduled team meetings.
• Performs clinical assessments and establishes ACT recovery plans.
• Complete hospital discharge safety plan
• Maintains confidentiality of all reports concerning staffing and consumers.
• Contribute to team knowledge and understanding of each consumer.
• Assist clients in linking with resources.
• Help monitor and assess consumers on an on-going basis; including provision of additional services as needed.
• Assists individuals in adjusting to new environments.
• Assists the medical and nursing staff in monitoring by reporting potential problems.
• Completes paperwork requirements and maintains quality, up-to-date clinical records. Documents any clinical or support services within 24 hours of providing the service.
• Works with family members/support system to gain support in each individual’s success.
• Crisis intervention as needed.
• Is knowledgeable about and remains in compliance with internal and external policies, procedures, regulations, and standards, including, for example, all Metrocare policies and procedures and Quality Assurance Plan, all applicable regulatory standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Training:

• Within 90 days of employment, completes Texas Centralized Training course - Individual Placement and Support – Supported Employment.
• Within 6 months/180 days of employment, achieves SOAR certification (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery.)
• Within 9 months/270 days of employment, achieves HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) certification.

COMPETENCIES:

• The competencies listed here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Conducts job responsibilities in accordance with the ethical standards of conduct, state contract, appropriate professional standards and applicable state/federal laws.
• Adult Competencies as outlined by DSHS for TRR requirements.
• Current good driving record and maintaining good driving record.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects with accuracy.
• Strong administrative skills
• Exceptional customer service skills, over the phone and in person, with individuals in service and internal/external partners
• Strong sense of urgency and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and engagement skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to problem solve, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions.
• Ability to support the agency’s mission and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity and workplace.
• Analytical skills, professional acumen, business ethics, thorough understanding of continuous improvement processes, problem solving, respect for confidentiality, and excellent communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, or related field, and prefer a minimum of two (2) years clinical experience in a mental health, substance use treatment, or social services setting.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Experience with trauma-informed services; Seeking Safety, cognitive behavioral therapies, including DBT; and motivational therapies preferred.
• Personal recovery experience not required, however, knowledge of recovery support systems and 12-Step programs preferred.
• Ability to clear background check and a safe driving record with a valid Texas Driver’s license.

DRIVING REQUIRED: Yes     

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Basic math skills required.
• Ability to work with reports and numbers.
• Ability to calculate moderately complex figures and amounts to accurately report activities and budgets.

                                                  

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one or two-step instructions.
• Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

 

COMPUTER SKILLS:

• Use computer, printer, and software programs necessary to the position (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Ability to utilize Internet for resources.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Current State of Texas Driver License or if you live in another state, must be currently licensed in that state. If licensed in another state, must obtain a Texas Driver License within three (3) months of employment.
• Liability insurance is required if an employee will operate a personal vehicle on Center property or for Center business.  Must be insurable by Center’s liability carrier if employee operates a Center vehicle or drives personal car on Center business.  Must have an acceptable driving record.

Benefits Information and Perks:

Metrocare couldn’t have a great employee-first culture without great benefits. That’s why we offer a competitive salary, exceptional training, and an outstanding benefits package:

• Medical/Dental/Vision

• Paid Time Off

• Paid Holidays

• Employee Assistance Program

• Retirement Plan, including employer matching

• Health Savings Account, including employer matching

• Professional Development allowance up to $2000 per year

• Bilingual Stipend – 6% of the base salary

• Many other benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Tobacco-Free Facilities - Metrocare is committed to promoting the health, well-being, and safety of Metrocare team members, guests, and individuals and families we serve while on the facility campuses. Therefore, Metrocare facilities and grounds are tobacco-free.
No Recruitment Agencies Please