ACT Co-Occurring Disorders Specialist

/in /by

Major Essential Functions:

  • Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of ACT team services.
  • Collaborates with other members of ACT Team to provide comprehensive mental health and supportive services to clients.
  • Participates in daily ACT treatment team meetings to discuss client treatment goal and needs.
  • Provides goal directed interventions that provide skill development to individuals who have serious and persistent mental illness so that they can reside independently in their communities in the least restrictive environment. Interventions may include: helping consumers acquire basic skills in symptom management and adherence to psychiatric treatment plans; assisting consumers in developing medication adherence skills; helping consumers acquire basic functional skills and appropriate behavior related to the individual’s health and safety; helping consumers with individualized training in development and appropriate use of social skills and personal support system; and assisting consumers with skill development for improved personal hygiene, food preparation, and money management.
  • Performs assessments, determines client service needs, and develops treatment/service in coordination with ACT team.
  • Provides support to clients and families during times of crisis, and links clients to appropriate crisis stabilization services;
  • Provides client-centered treatment utilizing various modalities including basic principles of motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and integrated dual-disorder treatment to encourage harm reduction and sustained recovery. Support may include linking clients to appropriate substance use recovery services in the community as appropriate (i.e. AA, NA) and other natural supports.
  • Coordinates assessment of clients in need of inpatient residential/detox treatment in cooperation with ACT team supervisor and clinician.
  • Coordinates admission and discharge from inpatient treatment.
  • Collaborates and liaisons with law enforcement officers, local hospitals, medical providers, and others in the planning, provision, and evaluation of these services.
  • Produces client related service records and maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation consistent with agency policies and procedures. Maintains detailed documentation that is commensurate with requirements for Medicaid reimbursement and licensure regulations.
  • Receives regular individual guidance and supervision from ACT Supervisor.
  • Collaborates fully with psychiatric care provider to dispense, administer and monitor client medications. Delivers medications to clients in their natural environment, as appropriate.
  • Makes effective use of available technology, including, but not limited to, voice mail, e-mail, electronic medical record system, and other computer resources.
  • Maintains effective relationships with co-workers and customers based on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor which are consistent with the position and in compliance with agency policies and procedures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Thorough understanding of substance use recovery stages of change. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of mental health community support; thorough knowledge of mental illness and its treatment; knowledge of mental health and substance abuse interventions; thorough knowledge of crisis intervention/emergency techniques; demonstrated ability to work effectively with consumers in non-office-based service settings; demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse individuals, including consumers, professionals, and family members; knowledge of and adherence to basic ethics appropriate for a helping relationship; ability to write concisely and effectively; skills in maintaining accurate and detailed service logs; excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated good judgment; ability to respond to after-hours needs in timely manner. Basic computer literacy and word processing skills required.

 

Additional Requirements:

  • Possession of a current valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
  • Mandt Training. First Aid/CPR training
  • Medication Administration certification.
  • Background Check

Minimum Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in human services or related specialty plus two years of work experience with SMI and/or SUD population. Must meet the requirements to be eligible for certified as a Qualified Mental Health Professional-Trainee if not already certified as a QMHP-A. Experience with SUD/co-occurring population and interventions preferred. CSAC certification is a plus.

Other Information:

Equipment: Telephone, copy machine, agency and/or personal vehicle, agency laptop, word processing, agency cellular phone, EHR software.

Work Environment: Community settings (homes, workplaces, shelters, streets) with highly variable work environments. General office environment with normal lighting, temperature, air quality, ventilation and noise levels. Vehicle.

Work Location: 1241 North Main Street, Harrisonburg VA 22802; variety of community settings, mostly within Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Work Hazards: Hazards associated with working in variety of community situations, the characteristics of which may be difficult to predict. Hazards associated with working alone in community settings.

Work Schedule: ACT is a 24-hour program and flexibility is required in order to meet and respond to coverage needs and individual residents’ needs. Shifts will vary to meet the needs of the program.  Full-time employees are required to work 40 Hours each week.  Monday through Friday- day and/or evening shifts. Weekends and Holidays- evening shifts on a rotating basis with ACT team members. Overnight and weekend on-call on a rotating basis with ACT team members. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

HIPAA Access Level 2:  Full read/write access to protected health information (PHI), limited to the minimum necessary, for all clients directly served or assigned, as well as all clients indirectly served through case consultation, clinical supervision, program management, or coverage requirements. Staff at Level 2 are allowed to seek out client PHI as necessary to perform their assigned duties, but are expected to exercise due precautions to limit exposure to any PHI which is outside the scope of their need to know. Utilization of information will be in accordance with HIPAA regulations regarding use limitation, disclosure and requests of PHI.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

HRCSB is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact recruitment@hrcsb.org.