Job description
Job Title: Clinical Support Specialist
Pay Range: $28.38 - $31.34 hourly
Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Location: DESC's Rainier House, 5270 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Shift: Day (7:30am - 4pm)
Insurance Benefits: Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage), Dental, Life, Long-term Disability
Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan
About DESC:
DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.
As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 2,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.
JOB DEFINITION:
The Clinical Support Specialist works with the Project Manager, housing specialists, case managers and other outside provider agencies to provide and coordinate clinical services for residents. This position offers case management and mental health services to residents as well as coordinating care with other providers as appropriate.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Facilitate engagement of residents through creative, resourceful strategies that build trust and confidence; publicize service availability.
- Develop a Residential Service Plan (RSP) or Goal and Service Plan (GASP) in collaboration with residents, case managers, and other staff, outlining goals and strategies to ensure housing success.
- Identify and coordinate those case management elements that will be provided by case managers from outside provider organizations.
- Maintain regular contact with residents and case managers from outside provider organizations to monitor progress toward goals identified in the RSP/GASP, and to ensure adequate provision of identified services.
- Intervene in crises and assist with building rule enforcement and lease compliance as necessary.
- Provide education and support for residents to ensure success as leaseholders.
- Assist residents in the formation of interest groups or therapeutic support groups; facilitate when appropriate.
- Organize outings and activities to improve resident skills in activities of daily living and to increase the level of meaningful activity in their lives.
- Work with residents and other staff to identify needs for additional services, groups and activities. Work with staff, outside service providers and community resources to initiate and facilitate these services and activities.
- Provide individual counseling and information and referral services to residents as needed.
- Facilitate community meetings.
- Participate in staff meetings and trainings.
- Support tenants in maintaining safe and decent unit conditions and passing apartment inspections. This may include hands-on assistance cleaning apartments, as well as teaching and modeling living skills.
- Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) license in Washington State, or equivalent, or ability to obtain an AAC license soon after hire.
- Clinical experience working with homeless adults disabled by chronic alcoholism, mental illness and drug use.
- Knowledge of local homeless, mental health, and chemical dependency service systems.
- Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
- Commitment to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across agency programs and of consideration and respect for clients.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Relevant Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science, OR
- A combination of 1 year* of relevant paid work experience and demonstration of the ability to perform required job duties
- Internal applicants in direct, client facing positions can substitute 6 months of experience in lieu of 1 year
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Two years experience working with homeless adults disabled by chronic alcoholism, mental illness and/or drug use.
- Valid Washington State driver’s license and insurable driving record.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required sit for long periods of time, communicate with other persons by talking and hearing, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
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