ACTT VOCATIONAL SPECIALIST

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, 9:00a.m. To 5:00p.m.  Earlier or later depending on job related duties. Occasional weekends and holidays

SUMMARY OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serves as additional support to the therapeutic team and client.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

1. Performs the following therapeutic activities centered around vocational needs and may include any of  the  following:

• Adaptation and socialization skills

• Symptom monitoring and management skills

• Wellness education

• Development of leisure time interests/activities

• Various skill building activities of daily and community living skills

• Behavior and anger management techniques

2. Assesses the strengths, weaknesses and potential abilities of clients in all domain areas and uses assessment information to develop a person centered plan.  Arranges for the completion of additional assessments/evaluations as deemed necessary. Develops, reviews, and modifies ACTT specific crisis plan and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergencies in accordance with Pathways to Life, Inc. first responder policy and ensures that everyone involved understands and can carry out the plan.

3. Provides individual vocational-supportive counseling to enable clients to identify vocational strengths, establish vocational/career goals, and recognize symptoms of mental illness that interfere with work.

4. Teach and assist with job seeking efforts such as resume writing and interview skills

5. Maintains communication with the team regarding client care and immediately reports any concerns regarding the facility, clients, or staff to the supervisor.

6. Ensures appropriate behavior management of clients and gives clear, consistent expectations and consequences. Maintains a proper therapeutic relationship with the client to ensure a safe environment free of hazards, confidentiality, and positive outcomes.

7. Ensures the management, completion, and implementation of the following in the appropriate timeframes using correct format according to Medicaid and area program guidelines which reflect treatment goals and uses correct forms and accurately completes all required documentation.

• Service orders

• Services are administered in accordance to the service plan

• Transition plans, safety plans, crisis plans

• Service notes

• Authorization Forms

8. Engages the beneficiary on the topic of school or work, particularly competitive employment, educating them about their opportunities and the benefits of working and school;

9. Completes a pre-vocational assessment that is focused on beneficiary’s strengths and preferences, and on-the-job assessments, where appropriate;

10. Conducts job development, where the vocational specialist builds relationships with local businesses and educates them about the services that the vocational specialist provides, collects information about positions, and ideally determines potential for job carving options;

11. Facilitates individualized job placement according to beneficiary’s preferences, with a focus on competitive employment;

12. Collaborates with the NC IPS-SE Team for case consultation and other job development activities.

13. Provides job coaching and ongoing supports, assisting the beneficiary in learning the job skills, navigating the work place, managing work relationships with other employees and supervisor;

14. Provides benefits counseling directly, as well as connects beneficiaries to experts for more extensive benefits counseling as needed; this includes development of SSI/SSDI Work Incentives and NC Medicaid Buy-in: Health Coverage For Workers With Disabilities;

15. Facilitates the Person Centered Planning process for beneficiaries assigned to him or her; and

16. Serves as a consultant and educator to fellow ACT team members on the topic of evidence-based supported employment, which is the Individual Placement and Support (IPS-SE) model.

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: N/A

LEVEL OF EDUCATION/TRAINING/QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. Has a Bachelor’s or Masters degree and meets the requirements specified for at least Associate Professional status according to 10A NCAC 27.G.0104 N.C. 

2. Must be under the supervision of at least Qualified Professional status.  Supervision shall be carried out according to 10A NCAC 27.G.0104.  

3. Can qualify for the role of vocational specialist, preferably with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.